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Matching on Tinder one minute , sleeping together the next: it’s not a unique experience in 2021 thanks to the curfew. One year of corona measures has had a huge impact on dating and relationships. Habits became impossible, unwritten rules were adjusted and boundaries were pushed. Whether it will have lasting consequences for the dating industry remains to be seen, but no one will deny that everything has changed.
It’s been almost a year since the term ‘social distancing’ was coined and entire countries went into lockdown. Since then, dating app OkCupid has been surveying its users to take stock one year on. How has Covid-19 changed online dating and singles? Based on 18 million answered questions, OkCupid has the answer.
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Corona and vaccine in profiles
What singles around the world are looking for when it comes to dating varies by culture and location. But all singles have one thing in common: They want to discuss the pandemic. Mentions of “coronavirus” on dating profiles increased by more than 2,200% in February 2021 compared to the same month last year – when the virus was not yet circulating widely.
There was also a 185% increase in mentions of the word “face mask” on profiles over the past year, showing that taking precautions is a priority for singles everywhere. As the vaccine is meant to allow everyone to get back to normal, it’s also becoming more talked about. Mentions of “vaccine” on profiles increased by 137% between November and January 2021.
US users of the app who say they will get the Covid-19 vaccine receive 20% more likes and 12% more matches. Globally, those who say they want to get vaccinated receive 13% more likes and 2.3% more matches. In addition, 4 in 10 singles would cancel a date with someone who does not want to take the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Women are more likely to make the first move
In addition to the expected coronavirus-related topics of conversation, there’s a noticeable trend among women. They’re no longer waiting for men to message them and are increasingly taking the lead. OkCupid calls it “perhaps the biggest online dating trend to take off during the pandemic.” Young women in particular are more active and engaged on dating apps .
Women under 30 sent 28.5% more first messages in January 2021 than the same month last year. Without the rush and pressure to meet in person for a date, women have had more control over their dating lives during the pandemic. According to OkCupid, this is why women are making the first move and arranging virtual dates more often.
Among the pandemics
When asked about their post-pandemic plans, singles were 12.4 times more likely to say they’d like to meet someone “special” instead of just dating. While dating is now possible virtually, made possible by in-app video calling , singles say they’re eager to meet in person. 86% of singles are looking forward to meeting in person again, as soon as it’s possible and safe to do so.
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