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Hinge Users Are ‘Virtual Dating’ Out Of Necessity

More than half of Hinge users are ‘virtual dating’ out of a necessity to connect with other singles, according to Hinge CEO Justin McLeod.

In an interview on ‘The Final Round‘, McLeod said: “[Video dating] was something that very few people would try before the pandemic started and out of necessity now, about half of our users have been on a video date with someone. That is a really big and very fast change in culture. I think we were headed there eventually anyway, but we are seeing like a very swift move toward that.  And people are enjoying it.

“Ninety percent of [our users] want to video date, that they enjoyed it and want to do it again and more than half of our users say they want to continue to do this after the pandemic because it’s a great vibe check before you invest in going out with a person.”

2020 hasn’t been the year that any of us expected, and with more than 3.9 billion people in lockdown at the height of the pandemic, the dating industry has been forced to evolve at a rapid pace to encompass ‘virtuality’ in dating.

Many dating apps have introduced features which allow users to date in a virtual sphere, as well as video call and get to know your partner before meeting in person.

These changes have had a marked impact on the ways in which we date, with reports showing that singles are getting to know a prospective partner on a deeper and more impactful level before meeting in person or committing to a relationship.

Read more from Hinge’s CEO Justin McLeod here.

Luke Smith

Luke is the Editor for Global Dating Insights. Originally from London, he achieved a BA in Journalism from De Montfort University, Leicester. An experienced content writer, he enjoys a variety of sports, with a keen passion for his football team, Fulham FC.

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