Relationships

Dating app OkCupid has predicted that August 1st will be the most popular day to schedule a date in 2021, thanks to the rollout of the vaccines for COVID-19 in the U.K.

According to Mashable, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson pledged that all adults will be vaccinated by July 31st, and in response, OkCupid projected that there will be a huge spike in people getting together the next day. Singles have felt especially isolated this past year, with virtual dating becoming the preferred option over meeting someone in person. But the rollout of the vaccine seems to be changing attitudes and comfort levels among the dating app’s users.

This projection is assuming that the vaccine rollout goes smoothly and there will be enough doses in the country, which might not be the case, Mashable warned. To date, almost 18 million people had received their first dose of vaccine and about 620,000 had received their second. These numbers met the government’s target for mid-February, with 15 million people now vaccinated in the U.K.

OkCupid has partnered with vegetarian food brand Sweet Earth to help vegetarians and vegans find love ahead of Valentine’s Day.

The companies will host a virtual event along with Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes, a “flexitarian” who is dating co-star and actress Madelyn Cline, who is vegan, about how to navigate dating when you and your match follow different diets. The Veggie Lovers Virtual Dating Event will take place online on Wednesday February 10th.

OkCupid’s Dating Expert Damona Hoffman will lead the Q&A session along with Stokes to discuss the challenges daters feel when it comes to navigating dietary preferences. Participants can also enter for a chance to win a spot in a private and exclusive speed dating event, according to Veg Times.

A new investment scam targeting dating app users has been detected by Interpol, according to ZDNet.

The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issued a “purple notice” to 194 member countries, describing a new money-making scheme on dating apps, according to ZDNet. Interpol stated that the scam “takes advantage of people’s vulnerabilities as they look for potential matches, and lures them into sophisticated fraud scheme.”

The scammers have set up fake profiles in apps like Tinder, Bumble, and eHarmony, and match with users who don’t know they are scammers. The scammers then message their targets pretending to be interested in them romantically in order to build trust, occasionally giving them investment “tips” to turn the conversation towards money.

The hit US dating reality show Dating No Filter from E! Network is getting a remake for UK audiences. Comcast-owed Sky One Network and Now TV will air the new eight-part series, according to Deadline.

The UK version follows a similar format to the original, with a group of singles set up on blind dates by comedians who give their commentary as the dates progress. According to British Comedy Guide, the comedians will be given some control over a range of matches to choose from, and of course they weigh in on any awkward moments.

Washington D.C. has increased its National Guard presence since the riots at the Capitol on January 6th, and these troops are turning to Tinder to find love while they work.

According to Newsweek, there have been reports on TikTok that Tinder has been flooded with photos of men in uniform, which is highly unusual for the Washington D.C. area. While these officers are sharing photos in their fatigues, they are also sharing interests like traveling and video games, according to Newsweek.

People are taking to social media to point out this trend, noting how many more military people are showing up as potential matches. In fact, some users in the DC area said the majority of profiles they see are members of the National Guard. Even a reporter for Sports Illustrated noticed the increase in these profiles.

Swiping through a lot of profiles quickly might seem like a benefit of online dating, but according to a new study, too many choices can lead to a “rejection mindset” for daters.

According to PsyPost.com, researchers from the Netherlands found that people tended to close themselves off when using dating apps because they get overwhelmed by the number of choices presented. A seemingly endless stream of profiles increases feelings of dissatisfaction, which in turn causes them to reject even more potential dates, especially the more they swipe.