Dating

Tick, tick, tick… the countdown to the end of February is almost over, the month with Valentine’s Day. Dating services are still in full swing and are still going strong.

Zoosk took the opportunity of the holiday to survey its members about what romance means in 2018. With so many singles now turning to technology to find someone special, dating looks more than a little different than it did in decades past. But are we less romantic as a result? Or is Cupid working his magic just the same as he always has?

After surveying 9,000 members and reviewing data from 750,000 profiles and 200,000 messages, Zoosk has confidently declared that romance is alive and thriving. The study reveals how modern singles express love, which romantic words will get you matches, and which gifts and gestures are sure bets for impressing dates.

Here are a few highlights:

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means more news stories about the prospects of finding love online. Dating apps have changed the romantic landscape in recent years and offered more opportunities to meet new people, but have they really helped daters meet their ultimate goals?

On February 6^th Intelligence Squared U.S., a non-profit organization which encourages thoughtful discussion and debate, will be hosting a live debate from New York City: "Swipe Left: Dating Apps Have Killed Romance."

In a nod to the complicated state of dating today, the keynote will be delivered by Daniel Jones, longtime editor of the hugely popular New York Times’ essay column ‘Modern Love.’

Add dating to your list of New Year resolutions, because chances are, you’ll meet someone in January.

Online dating has a high season, and it seems the spirit of the holidays all the way through Valentine’s Day puts people in the mood for finding love.

A study by dating site Match revealed that more than any other time of year, people flock to dating sites between December 26^th and February 14^th. The numbers are telling – 50 million messages sent and 1 million dates happen during this time, and Sunday January 7^th is apparently the busiest day (and the best time to join – specifically 8:55pm EST).

Online dating is the most popular way to meet, thanks to dating apps like Tinder that made it fun to swipe right and easily match with a stranger. But the introduction of AI technology to the online dating industry could change how people interact yet again, which means that swiping might become a thing of the past.

It’s hard to believe when dating apps are so ubiquitous. But a recent article on NBCNews’ website delved into the potential of incorporating AI into the online dating experience, and how that might change dating culture.

We rely on technology and its advances; it has become a huge part of how we function and communicate, and will continue to evolve. As one researcher noted, twenty years ago, who would have thought services like Uber and Lyft could exist, where people virtually asked strangers to give them rides?

What makes a successful dating profile? Is it a bio that’s just the right mix of braggy and self-effacing? Is it an engaging first message? Is it a gallery of sexy selfies? According to Zoosk, there’s one attractive quality almost everyone can agree on: food.

In a survey of more than 7,000 singles, 3.7 million dating profiles, and over 364 million messages, Zoosk discovered that the way to someone’s heart might really be through their stomach. The survey analyzed how different foods and food-related phrases affect singles’ interactions with each other, offering insight into the unique intersection of food and dating.

Our love of eating, it turns out, does have an impact on how we interact with each other romantically. Simply writing about food in your profile results in an increase in inbound messages. Mention the word “cook” and you could receive 26% more messages from admirers. Call yourself a “foodie” and that number might jump to 82%.

Remember the days of standing in line for coffee and striking up a conversation with the cute girl standing in front of you? And maybe you asked her out on a date? If you are single and living in Britain, you probably don’t.

A recent study found that almost half of British singles have never asked someone out on a date face to face. In fact, the trend of meeting potential dates has moved online, to the point where people prefer having a conversation over text rather than in person where things could get awkward or uncomfortable. Most singles meet eligible dates over dating apps and social media, which means they have little incentive to practice real life face-to-face conversation.

The study was commissioned by U.K. food brand Grace Say Aloe, a manufacturer of beverages. Researchers surveyed 1,500 single adults in the U.K.