Online Love by the Numbers: Using Data Science to Understand Dating App Users

What’s in the data? A lot, when you go looking for it

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered what lies behind the satisfaction derived from swiping right or left on dating apps? Well, wonder no more! We have got our hands on a recent study that sheds light on the fascinating world of Tinder, breaking down the science of swiping. Let’s get started!

The Core of the Study

In this groundbreaking study, researchers took a meticulous approach to understand the satisfaction Tinder users derive not only from using the app but also from the offline dates that stem from it. A substantial number of 1,387 Tinder users willingly shared their experiences, providing a rich data pool to analyze. But why is this study so crucial, you ask?

Where online dating is becoming the norm, understanding users, their satisfaction levels, and use behaviors can help you understand what they’re doing on the other side of the screen.

The Participants

They were a diverse group, ranging in age from 18 to a grand 74, with most being around 29. The gender distribution was nearly balanced, with a small yet significant representation of non-binary individuals.

One surprising fact was that 65.3% were either married or in a relationship, and 84.1% identified as heterosexual. This diversity paints a vivid picture of the different perspectives and experiences brought to the platform.

The Influential Predictors

The researchers identified 28 variables that could potentially influence satisfaction levels. These encompassed a range of factors, including age, marital status, and even psychological characteristics such as self-esteem and impulsivity.

But it doesn’t stop there; the motives for using the app, like seeking true love or casual encounters, also played a pivotal role. To illustrate this, imagine someone using the app to find true love; their satisfaction level would likely be different from someone using an app for casual encounters, wouldn’t it?

Here they are, grouped together —

Participants’ Sociodemographic Characteristics (4 variables)

1. Age
2. Sex
3. Sexual orientation
4. Marital status

Participants’ Tinder Use Patterns (5 variables)

1. Number of months they have used Tinder
2. Number of current Tinder matches
3. Number of Tinder-initiated online contacts in the past 6 months
4. Number of Tinder-initiated offline contacts in the past 6 months
5. “Liking” behavior (a measure of partner selectiveness)

Participants’ Mood (1 variable)

1. Mood, measured using the Short Happiness and Depression Scale (higher scores suggest a greater likelihood/severity of a depressed mood)

Participants’ Loneliness (1 variable)

1. Loneliness

Participants’ Motives for Using Tinder (3 variables)

1. Enhancement motive (to reduce boredom and increase positive emotions)
2. Coping motive (to cope with psychological problems)
3. Social motive (to increase social connectedness)

Participants’ Goals for Using Tinder (3 variables)

1. Finding offline contacts
2. Finding uncommitted sex partners
3. Finding committed romantic partners

Participants’ Attachment Style (2 variables)

1. Anxious attachment style
2. Avoidant attachment style

Participants’ Level of Impulsivity (5 variables)

1. Urgency
2. Lack of premeditation
3. Lack of perseverance
4. Sensation seeking
5. Positive urgency

Participants’ Sexual Desire (2 variables)

1. Dyadic sexual desire (desire to engage in sexual activities with a partner)
2. Solitary sexual desire (desire to engage in sexual activities alone)

Participants’ Satisfaction with Tinder Use (STU) and Offline Dates (STOD) (2 variables)

1. Satisfaction with Tinder use (STU)
2. Satisfaction with Tinder offline dates (STOD)

These variables were analyzed to identify the most significant predictors of satisfaction with Tinder use and the satisfaction derived from offline dates initiated through Tinder. The study utilized a machine learning model to rank order these predictors from most to least important in influencing satisfaction levels.

Self-reported online satisfiers

On a scale of 1 to 4, the average satisfaction score with Tinder for online users was 2.39, indicating a moderate level of satisfaction.

1. Finding What Tinder Offers: Users who approached Tinder with the primary goal that the app is designed to fulfill, such as finding intimate partners or individuals to socialize with, were more likely to be satisfied with their Tinder experience. They found on Tinder what it was essentially created to offer.
2. Positive Impact of Increased Contacts: Users who had a higher number of contacts, including online contacts, “matches,” and offline contacts, reported increased satisfaction with Tinder use (STU). This positive impact is attributed to the app meeting its primary goal of facilitating connections, potentially boosting users’ self-perceived desirability and enhancing their self-esteem, factors that can increase satisfaction with the product.
3. Seeking Intimate Relationships: Users who were on Tinder to find an intimate (romantic/sexual) partner and those with enhancement and social motives were strong and positive predictors of satisfaction with Tinder use. These users were aligning with the direct gratification that Tinder offers, which is facilitating meetings and finding partners.
4. Younger Users and Those Seeking “True Love”: The study highlighted that younger users and those who were using the app to find “true love” reported higher levels of satisfaction compared to others.
5. Engagement with the App for Enhancement and Socialization: Users who engaged with the app for enhancement motives (to reduce boredom and increase positive emotions) and social motives (to increase social connectedness) generally reported higher satisfaction levels.

Offline/in-person satisfaction findings

When it came to offline dates arranged through Tinder, the satisfaction score was 3.05 out of 5, showcasing the potential for finding fulfilling connections through the app.

1. High Number of Online Contacts but Low Offline Interactions: The study noted a discrepancy between the high number of online contacts and the comparatively low number of offline interactions or “real” dating. It suggested that users with many online contacts might believe they can always find better matches, a psychological mechanism somewhat analogous to that affecting pathological gamblers.
2. Challenges for Users Seeking Uncommitted Sexual Partners: Users who were on Tinder primarily to find uncommitted sexual partners reported high levels of dissatisfaction with their offline meetings. This finding contradicts the common perception of Tinder being mainly a sexually oriented app, indicating that these users often find it challenging to establish such connections in the Tinder environment.
3. Impact of Motives on Satisfaction: The study emphasized that the satisfaction with offline dates that follow is strongly related to the motive driving the user in the first place. Users engaging with dating apps as a coping mechanism seemed destined to be dissatisfied.

Conversely, using the app as a coping mechanism for personal difficulties generally led to lower satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues.

What people were using Tinder to avoid

1. Mental Health and Emotional Challenges: Some users engaged with Tinder hoping to address mental health or related challenges. However, this approach generally led to dissatisfaction because the app could not meet their needs in this regard.
2. Impulsivity: Lack of premeditation and impulsivity prevented users from planning their actions sufficiently to meet their goals on Tinder. This impulsivity could also make them less patient and unable to consider the long-term consequences of their actions, leading to a less favorable experience on the platform.
3. Loneliness and Low Self-Esteem: The study mentioned that previous research had linked low self-esteem and loneliness to certain behaviors on dating apps, suggesting that some individuals might use Tinder to cope with feelings of loneliness or low self-esteem.
4. Depressive Mood: Users who were experiencing a depressive mood and engaged with the app to cope with this emotional state were more likely to report higher levels of dissatisfaction.
5. Avoidant Attachment Style: Individuals with an avoidant attachment style were found to engage with Tinder in a way that was associated with unregulated use, which could potentially lead to dissatisfaction.
6. Problematic Tinder Use: Engaging with the app to cope with personal difficulties was associated with problematic Tinder use, which includes behaviors indicative of addiction, such as inability to reduce usage, spending more time on the app than intended, and experiencing conflict due to app use.
7. Seeking Uncommitted Sexual Partners: Users who were on Tinder looking for uncommitted sexual partners reported high levels of dissatisfaction with offline meetings, indicating difficulty in finding such connections in the Tinder environment.

What does this mean to you? It means sometimes the people you might connect with are on the app looking for something more than what’s there. And certainly something more than what you can provide them.

Takeaway: Your Guide to a Satisfying Tinder Experience

As we wrap up, here are three nuggets to enhance your understanding and approach to online dating:

• Know Thyself: Understanding your motives for using dating apps can significantly influence your satisfaction levels. Whether you’re seeking love, friendship, or a casual relationship, being clear about your goals can pave the way for a more fulfilling experience.
• Mental Health is a Priority: If you find yourself using dating apps as a coping mechanism, it might be time to pause and reflect. Consider seeking therapy or counseling to address underlying issues, fostering a healthier approach to online dating.
• Age is More Than Just a Number: Your age can be a significant factor in determining your satisfaction level with dating apps. Understanding how different age groups perceive and use these platforms can be a valuable insight in navigating the online dating world.

We hope this blog post has equipped you with a richer understanding of the online dating landscape.

Happy Dating!

Here are details about the study referenced in the text —

Vera Cruz, G., Aboujaoude, E., Rochat, L., Bianchi-Demichelli, F., & Khazaal, Y. (2023). Finding intimacy online: A machine learning analysis of predictors of success. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 26(8). https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2022.0367

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