Tinder: Changes How People Meet

By SARAH DARIAN

Many people can agree that this generation known as the “millennial generation” has become accustomed to the hook-up culture. Around two years ago, Tinder, a matchmaking smartphone application, was developed and enhanced the way people meet. 

Sean Rad, Justin Mateen, and Jonathan Badeen created the Tinder App during the summer of 2012, initially targeted for those on college campuses. It is available worldwide, and new research shows that there are approximately 50 million active users who check their accounts daily, and spend an average of 90 minutes per day on the app. As of January 2015, Tinder users swipe through 1.5 billion profiles and makes more than 21 million matches per day, according to their blog website.

On their website, the developers of this application say how “we connect people through fun experiences. Tinder is the fun way to connect with new and interesting people around you. Swipe right to like or left to pass. If someone likes you back, it’s a match!”

How does a Tinder user first get started?

The Tinder application obligates a user to have a Facebook profile. The app then gathers basic information from ones Facebook, such as: your name, your age, common interest “likes,” and your mutual friends list, which then matches potential contenders who you are most likely to be compatible with based on social graph and geographical location.

While using Tinder it is anonymous if you “like” or “reject” profiles, and only shows you matches of those where you and the candidate have both liked each other. Once a match has been made, you are able to chat with the other person through messaging.

Matthew Esposito, 23, of Mahwah, decided to get a Tinder profile because he felt that he had nothing to lose. “I didn’t think anything of it to be honest. I’m not looking for a relationship or anything; I think I made a profile just to have fun and talk to new people,” he said.

“It wasn’t until recently where I actually met up with a girl that I met on Tinder. She was cool. It made me realize that there are people out there that don’t take this app too seriously, and I think that’s the way you have to look at it,” Esposito added.

 Pros

1. It’s quick and simple to use—swipe right if you like someone, swipe left if you don’t
2. It’s natural—you “like” someone the same way as if you are just seeing someone for the first time, based on their looks perceived through their pictures
3. It’s easy to use—having it on your phone means that you have it wherever you go, and it certainly kills time
4. It’s free

Cons

1. It’s like a game—not many people take it seriously, so if you’re actually looking for a potential relationship, there’s a good chance you won’t find it here
2. It’s shallow—you like or reject someone based on the pictures they post of themselves

   

Alexandria McLean, 21, of Waldwick explains how she used Tinder as a rebound from her latest breakup. “When I became single I just wanted people to talk to. It gave me a huge confidence boost about myself, and I don’t think there’s a problem with that,” she said.

“There’s a lot of cool people I started talking to, so you never know, maybe I will meet some of them one day. This app makes it a lot easier to just meet new people,” McLean added.