Love and digital or how to find a soul mate using technology.

The search for a partner is natural for any person, regardless of race, age and social status. Our desire to be happy and loved remains unchanged, but the search methods have undergone some changes. How has dating been modernized in the digital era and what has this entailed?

Once upon a time, the dating process involved many options: you could call a colleague on a date, approach a stranger you liked in a bar, club, or simply – which was not considered shameful – strike up a conversation on the street. You may also have been introduced by friends, acquaintances or family members. For those who, for some reason, did not have a personal life, there were other options: ads in special sections of the newspaper, speed dating, interest clubs, etc. Everything began to change with the advent of the first dating sites in the early to mid-90s.

Today, we can find our "love interest" without leaving home and setting our own search criteria. This shift has had a significant impact on society.

social networking
Online dating has allowed the creation of a so-called relationship network, consisting of a wide range of people with whom one can connect. This makes it possible to contact complete strangers in a few clicks / taps on the keyboard or smartphone, regardless of their location at a given time. One area where online dating takes full advantage of this aspect of social networking is giving site users the freedom to choose who they want to get to know better.

Compatibility as a key motivator
In traditional dating, there is a great chance to cross paths with a random person with whom you have nothing in common. Nowadays, you can try to avoid such meetings by specifying exactly who you would like to meet. This has led to a significant increase in the use of online dating services among niche groups: those who are looking for same relationships or want to highlight specific interests such as dating by age, etc.

Growth of liabilities
Another aspect that has had a revolutionary impact on society is how many people develop relationships online. There used to be a preconceived notion that online dating was inherently superficial. But more and more people find long-term and serious relationships there. There can be many reasons for this, such as the ability to learn about a partner's past in a relatively short amount of time. Studies have shown that people who meet online get to know each other much faster.

Because online dating is no longer terra incognita, recent statistics have shown that people who meet online are more likely to hook up than those who meet under more traditional circumstances. Again, the reasons for this are not always clear. But it’s worth noting that this is largely due to the fact that by meeting online, people learn to trust each other more and develop mutual chemistry, and not just do something expected.