{"id":93009,"date":"2020-02-06T09:56:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T14:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/2020\/02\/06\/americans-opinions-about-the-online-dating-environment\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T17:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T21:06:45","slug":"americans-opinions-about-the-online-dating-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2020\/02\/06\/americans-opinions-about-the-online-dating-environment\/","title":{"rendered":"3. Americans\u2019 opinions about the online dating environment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Online dating platforms have been scrutinized at times for the way they have contributed to dating culture<\/a> and its safety<\/a>, as well as how successful they are at finding people a suitable match<\/a>. There are a slew of both troubling<\/a> and love stories<\/a> involving online dating.<\/p>\n\n

This chapter explores how all Americans \u2013 not just those who have online dated \u2013 feel about the broader landscape and impact of online dating. To begin, Americans are more likely to describe online dating as having a neutral impact on dating and relationships, rather than a mostly positive or negative one. And when asked to share their views about the success of relationships that begin through online dating, just over half of U.S. adults agree that these relationships are just as successful as those that began offline.<\/p>\n\n

Still, views about online dating do vary across demographic groups, as well as by people\u2019s own personal experience with using these sites or apps. At the same time, there are some lingering concerns about the danger of meeting someone through a dating site or app. Americans are somewhat divided on whether these platforms are a safe way to meet people.<\/p>\n\n

Half of Americans believe that online dating has had neither a positive nor negative effect on dating and relationships<\/h4>\n\n
\"Chart<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

When asked to share their views on the type of effect dating sites and apps have had on dating and relationships, 50% of Americans believe their effect has been neither positive nor negative. Meanwhile, 26% say online dating has had a mostly negative effect on dating and relationships, while 22% describe its effect as mostly positive.<\/p>\n\n

Across demographic groups, larger shares of Americans feel as if online dating has had neither a positive nor negative effect on dating and relationships, but personal experience with online dating also is associated with more positive views of its impact. Some 29% of online dating users view its effect on dating and relationships as mostly positive, compared with 21% of those who never used a dating site or app.<\/p>\n\n

At the same time, 30% of adults with at least a bachelor\u2019s degree say that dating sites and apps have a mostly positive effect on dating relationships, compared with 18% of those with a high school education or less. These educational differences are present regardless of online dating use.<\/p>\n\n

Americans cite a number of reasons \u2013 ranging from expanding options to success stories \u2013 as reasons these platforms have been a good thing for dating and relationships<\/h4>\n\n

The survey also asked an open-ended question to give respondents a chance to explain, in their own words, why they feel as if dating sites and apps have had a mostly positive or mostly negative effect on dating and relationships.<\/p>\n\n

Among respondents who say dating sites and apps have had a mostly positive effect, 25% say it is because they have helped expand people\u2019s dating pool. Many of these responses emphasize how online dating has made it easier to meet people outside of one\u2019s normal social circle, thereby expanding their options:<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThey allow people who wouldn\u2019t have ever really crossed paths in person easier access to that possible \u2018one\u2019 that they otherwise wouldn\u2019t have ever met.\u201d (Woman, age 36)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt widens the pool of available persons.\u201d (Woman, age 64)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Others in this group cite the ability to evaluate people before meeting them in person (19%) or that it is generally an easier way to meet people who also are interested in dating (18%).<\/p>\n\n

\u201cYou read people\u2019s profiles and know what they are all about before reaching out to them. Cheaper than going on a date to find out the hard way.\u201d (Man, age 43)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u201cEasy to meet people. Easy to break the ice. Easy to size up people to see if you would like to really date them.\u201d (Woman, age 28)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Some 14% of these respondents also express that these platforms can connect people who are likeminded or have mutual interests, while 11% offer up success stories as a reason online dating has had a mostly positive impact on dating.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier to find someone who shares your interest and values. Easier to identify what you have in common before you decide to pursue spending time together.\u201d (Man, age 54)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe have known untold numbers of now-married couples who met online. … It does shrink the world to help you meet wonderful people.\u201d (Woman, age 75)<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Relatively small shares argue that online dating has had a mostly positive effect because it is a more efficient way of meeting people, is a better alternative to more traditional ways of meeting, helps people who have trouble meeting others or is a safer way of meeting people.<\/p>\n\n