The fastest way to meet successful singles these days is on dating apps for professionals. But, because there are so many options, it’s important that you know where to look and how to attract the right matches on different platforms!
Let’s talk about what online dating platforms are best for meeting business people and entrepreneurs and how you can start making connections fast.
SugarDaddy.com
The people who make sugar daddy or sugar mommy profiles on SugarDaddy.com tend to be high-paid professionals looking for someone they can spend their limited free time with. They are typically too busy to look for romance through traditional channels, or they may not want the emotional complications of a romantic relationship.
Here are a few things to keep in mind to boost your chances of success on this platform:
- Be thoughtful about what you want out of a sugar relationship. There are many different kinds of sugar relationships, from short-term, to platonic, to traditional SB/SD to virtual, and more. You’ll also be able to decide between an open or exclusive partnership. So, think about what style of relationship is most appealing to you and what kinds of dates, gifts, and communication you would like to include.
- Put time and effort into your online profile. Compared to other online dating sites, you might find that there’s more competition for sugar babies than you expected. That means you’ve got to make sure that your profile stands out with high-quality photos, an intriguing tagline, and an interesting, well-written bio.
- Don’t be afraid to make the first move. If you see a sugar daddy that you like, don’t wait around for a DM! You should be proactive if you want to get the attention of the professional match you’ve been looking for.
Tinder
Tinder is the biggest name in online dating apps and continues to be the most widely used app globally. But is it among the best dating apps for professionals? Well, it depends on how you use it.
For one thing, to be successful on Tinder, you might want to start using their special features, such as:
- ID Verified feature. Tinder has shared that users who make use of their ID Verified process receive up to 67% more matches than those who don’t.
- Photo Selector. This AI feature allows Tinder to sift through your camera roll to select profile pictures most likely to lead to matches.
- Tinder Select. Wealthy and well-known singles are more likely to use Tinder’s exclusive version, Tinder Select. The price tag is quite high at $500 per month, but it will give you exclusive access to the most VIP members.
Bumble
Bumble first made waves in the dating landscape as the app that only allowed women to make the first move. As a result, it set itself apart as a potentially more “serious” dating app, catered to singles looking for long-term connections.
Since then, Bumble has moved away slightly from their original pitch in order to be more inclusive of non-heterosexual connections and address dating app fatigue among their female users. But, it continues to have a reputation for being a great app for long-term, committed relationships with professionals.
According to data from Bumble and the housing website Apartment List, the cities with the highest satisfaction in dating for this platform include Cincinnati, Boston, and Houston. It’s no surprise that these cities happen to be filled with single professionals!
Hinge
Along with Tinder and Bumble, Hinge makes up the top three dating apps in the Match Group family. And, because it has such a large user base, you are likely to find professionals and entrepreneurs if you play your cards right.
The best feature of Hinge is the ability to display your answers to Hinge prompts. These are meant to spark interesting conversations and show a bit more of your personality in a more organic way than a self-written bio. Definitely make use of the voice recording feature, which will make your profile even more personal.
Match
If you’re looking for older users who are more likely to be established in their careers, Match is definitely the app for you. In fact, of the traditional dating apps, Match is reportedly the most popular with adults over 50 years old.
Here are a few tips for better success on Match:
- Opt for a multi-month membership. This will lower your monthly cost while giving you access to the features that can help find your match.
- Make quality conversation your focus. Sure, your profile picture and bio will be important, but the users on Match are typically looking for good conversation above all else.
eHarmony
Like Match, eHarmony tends to be one of the best dating apps for professionals over 30. It was one of the OG apps in the dating world—or should we say websites, as eHarmony existed before apps—and continues to attract an older, more serious crowd.
Something to keep in mind is that eHarmony functions differently than many other dating apps. In particular, you’ll be required to complete a lengthy compatibility quiz right at the beginning so that the algorithm can match you with users you’re likely to connect with. It’s important to give this part of the process your full attention and honesty to boost your chances of finding the right match.
Swerv
Of all of the dating apps on our list, Swerv is the new kid on the block. But don’t let that deter you! This app was created in the wake of widespread dating app fatigue that has left many people frustrated. As such, it markets itself as an alternative to many online dating avenues by prioritizing in-person connections.
The idea of the app is to match you with people who are already in your day-to-day landscape but with whom you might not interact. After all, since the advent of online dating apps, not many people feel comfortable with old-school in-person flirting!
Here’s how it works: if you’re at your favorite coffee shop, the app may send you a notification that there’s an eligible single just a couple of tables away from you. If the two of you agree to an in-person meeting, then the app will make the introduction and you can start chatting in real life. No swiping, no lengthy messaging back and forth, just spur-of-the-moment meet-cutes.
Additional Features and Trends in Dating Apps
In the short time that dating apps have been a part of our romantic lives, they’ve constantly upgraded and changed in order to keep up with shifting ideas around online dating. Here are a few new features and trends to keep an eye on so that you can make the most of the latest improvements!
- Less messaging, more face-to-face dating. Two big challenges that singles have faced with the rise of internet dating have been scams and dating app fatigue. So, one of the big changes has been a prioritization of face-to-face dating instead of staying too long in the direct messaging phase. This sometimes looks like video dating, which has become a popular feature of eHarmony and other platforms, or it may look like setting up a first date more quickly.
- Algorithm optimization. We do live in a world of algorithms, and the most successful online daters have used this to their advantage. By using strategic wording in your bio, you’ll have a better chance at being matched with your ideal date, no matter what platform you’re using.
- Shift away from ghosting. Something positive that’s emerged over the last few years has been a massive rejection of ghosting, or the practice of ending all communication suddenly without formally breaking things off. Tinder has even created a dedicated VP of Ghost Hunting to address the problem.
- More inclusive dating apps. Another great change that we’ve seen in online dating is more spaces that are open to non-traditional styles of dating. There are apps dedicated to polyamory, queer relationships, sugaring, and many other kinds of partnerships!
Addressing User Concerns and Criticisms
Even though many of the changes we’ve seen over the last few years have been positive, it’s worth noting that online dating apps have been far from problem-free. Some of the most prominent complaints from users include:
- The monetization of romance. One big complaint about online dating is the reality that the apps are businesses that need an income stream. This can come from a monthly membership fee, in-app ads, or payment for special features. In some cases this can mean that profits are prioritized over genuine connections, since wealthier users can pay for more visibility on the site.
- The ease of ghosting. Ghosting isn’t a new phenomenon, but it has been made easier by the digital age. As of right now, there’s little that dating apps can do to prevent this practice.
- Scams and catfishing. Since the dawn of the internet, scamming has been something that everyone online needs to be wary of. Luckily, many dating apps are doing more to verify the identities of their users to cut down on blatant catfishing and scamming. But it’s still important to practice caution to keep yourself safe online.
- An overabundance of options. One interesting complaint that has emerged recently is the theory that too many options can leave us with choice overload. With too many viable matches, we may feel paralyzed or more likely to write someone off in favor of a new match.
- Technology fatigue. Online dating isn’t the only area of our lives that can leave us feeling tech fatigued. And when swiping is combined with online work calls and friend group chats and streaming services, it makes sense that we may be feeling overwhelmed by our ever-increasing screen time.
To be sure, these are all valid concerns that dating app companies are trying to address with every upgrade and change to their platform. But, the challenges will also require some social changes (such as in the case of ghosting) and personal ones (like spending less time online) that the apps simply can’t do alone. Overall, it’s up to the user to find a platform that best suits their personality and lifestyle, and monitor their own user habits to cut down on some of the negative aspects of online dating.
Conclusion
Online dating is such an integral part of the modern dating scene, and by familiarizing yourself with the pros and cons of each app, you’ll be in a better position to find your perfect match!
Will you try one of these dating apps for professionals?