With feminism fighting misogyny and people becoming more aware, many singles are finding it increasingly hard to find a suitable partner these days. If you ask your parents, or anyone born before the 80’s, they’ll tell you to “get out more” or “go to a bar and just strike up a conversation”. Anyone born after 1990 knows, that’s just plain outdated.

In the age of social media where everyone is either anti-social or bogged down by social anxiety, where do we go from here? The only place you can go is back into your phone and into the world of online dating.

The concept of online dating is not new—just less taboo. When the internet became a household thing in the late 90s, I remember my Nana setting up accounts and pages on sites like BlackPlanet and E-Harmony. I watched as she tried to essentially market herself: Racking her brain to find provocative ways to describe her looks, listing her hobbies in hopes of finding someone with similar interests, coming up with catchy phrases to showcase her personality, and checking her page daily for messages. Sounds familiar? Well in 2022, there’s an app for that! Hell, there are countless apps for that and I’ve curated a starter list for you.

Here Are The Top 5 Dating Apps For 2022:

1. TINDER

Tinder is one of the top dating apps in the WORLD. Like most dating apps, you can use it internationally. However, not all dating apps are internationally known. Its popular “Swipe Right” choice mechanism allows you to easily express interest. a mutual “swipe right” could spark the flame that’ll change your life.

2. BUMBLE

Bumble, like Tinder, is a well-known dating app. Some may say it’s more on the progressive side. Many women prefer Bumble over other apps because it puts the ball in their court. While you may match with someone, it is up to the woman to make the first move and message first. This is a relief for women who can get easily turned off by a barrage of unwanted messages and advances in their inboxes.

3. HINGE

Hinge is another dating app that continues to grow in popularity. Hinge markets itself as the app for people trying to get off dating apps, and hang it up for good. Hence the name Hinge. You can choose from an array of thought-provoking questions and prompts. These provide insight into your personality and serve as conversation starters. This very unique mechanism helps weed out the weird, break the ice, and find someone that is just your type.

4. BLK

BLK is exactly as its name suggests: A app designed for Black singles to connect with other Black singles. Due to its nature, it may not be as popular as other apps, but it is a game-changer in cities that do not have a large black population. In addition to dating, many people have utilized the app for networking and creating lasting friendships in cities where Black (and other POC) are scarce.

5. Twitter

I know what you’re thinking, Twitter is NOT a dating app. Au contraire, I have witnessed more long-term and everlasting relationships built off of this app than all of these combined. From a tweet to a DM, to a Date, to MARRIAGE, - I have witnessed it. Twitter is one of the last social media apps that is still based around the SOCIAL aspects of social media. How is it so successful? Twitter is essentially a collection of ongoing conversations. The trivial, deep, entertaining, and even informative conversations that it takes to get to know someone. It is the art of conversation that both peaks, and keeps, interest.

Whether you’re swiping right on Tinder, making the first move on Bumble, or seeking similarities in a new city, online dating is what you make it. In the world of Tinder Swindlers, it is very important to stay safe, aware, and make conscious decisions. The dating pool may have piss in it, and that’s okay, just find a river, or a lake that best suits you— or whatever TLC said.

All hope is not lost, have fun with it, and may the swipes be in your favor!