In recent years, hookup culture has become more and more popular. It used to be taboo to sleep with someone you weren’t in a relationship with, but now it’s seen as more of a norm. People are now more open to the idea of casual sex and one-night stands. With the advent of online dating apps, casual hook ups have become even easier to come by.
Even if you don’t particularly like the idea of hooking up with a stranger, it’s hard to deny that dating apps have made the process much simpler. No longer do you have to go out to bars and clubs, hoping to meet some like-minded people that you can vibe with.
You may even be considering downloading a dating app yourself, but you’re hesitant because you’ve heard that they’re nothing but a digital meat market, full of people who are only looking for one thing.
So what’s the truth? Are dating apps nothing but a way to hook up with as many people as possible? Or can you actually find lasting love and meaningful connections through these apps? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Tinder?
Founded in 2012 by Sean Rad, Jonathan Badeen, Justin Mateen, and Whitney Wolfe Herd. Tinder is a location-based social search mobile app that allows users to connect with others in their area. The app is free to download and use, but there are also paid subscription options available that offer additional features, such as the ability to see who has liked you
Tinder originally required access to a Facebook account in order to create a profile, but it now allows users to sign up with a phone number instead.
Using Tinder is easy. Just download the mobile dating app to your smartphone, then connect it with your Facebook account, upload six of your hot selfies, and write a short but captivating bio. It’s that simple!
After setting up your profile, the exciting part begins – the hunt for potential matches. The app will provide you with pictures of matches based on your sets of criteria and preferences such as age range. All you have to do is to swipe right if you like the tinder profile and swipe left if you’re not interested.
If the person you liked (swiped right) also swiped right on your tinder profile, the system will automatically notify you with an “It’s a Match!” message. There will be a countdown of how long you have to message each other before the match disappears. If you want to keep the match and start chatting, just press “Message Now.”
You can purchase Tinder Plus, which gives you access to additional features, such as “rewinding” your last swipe (in case you accidentally swiped left on a hottie), unlimited likes, and the ability to see who has already liked you.
Tinder Gold is the latest and greatest addition to the Tinder app. It has all the features of Tinder Plus, plus a “Likes You” feature, which allows you to see all the profiles that have already swiped right on you.
Why is Tinder Called Tinder?
Ooo, fun fact! Did you know that it was originally called “Matchbox”? However, the founders decided to change it to “Tinder” instead after looking at a thesaurus.
The word “tinder” actually has a few different meanings. It can be used as both a noun and a verb, and it’s defined as “a dry combustible material, such as wood or straw, used for lighting a fire.”
In other words, tinder is something that helps you start a fire. And what’s one of the most important things you need to start a fire? A spark!
So it makes sense that the name “Tinder” was chosen because it represents the starting point of something new and exciting – just like how the app is supposed to help you find new and exciting matches. Smart, huh?
What is Tinder App Used For?
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is Tinder,” it’s time to address the real question on everyone’s minds – what is Tinder used for?
Tinder was initially created to introduce “double opt-in” meeting and its primary target market was college students. It aims to improve the common ways of casual dating or hook ups.
So instead of just going around and hitting on someone you randomly like which is sometimes perceived as harassment or invasion of personal space, the app acts as a platform where both interested parties agree to meet each other.
The app has been successful in its goal to some extent. A lot of people have found matches through Tinder and have gone on to have relationships, both casual and serious. However, there is no denying that a large percentage of Tinder users are only looking for one thing – hookups.
There are also a lot of people who use Tinder who are only interested in chatting and never actually meet up in person. So if you’re just looking for a potential match to talk to, Tinder can be a great option.
However, if you’re looking for something more serious, such as a relationship or even marriage, it’s not unheard of that some people live their happily ever afters after finding each other on Tinder. So the app can be used for a variety of purposes, both good and bad.
It’s all a matter of what you’re looking for and how you use the app. Don’t go ahead and download Tinder expecting to find your soulmate – but don’t write it off as a possibility either. You never know who you might potentially meet!
Why is Tinder Just For Hookups?
Depending on who you ask, Tinder can be known for a lot of things. For some, it’s a hookup app, for others, it’s like any other mobile dating app, and for others still, it’s just a way to meet new people and have some fun.
We’ve heard a lot of people who use Tinder as a way to improve their social skills and confidence, as well as expand their network of friends. We’ve also heard of people who have met their best friend and significant other on Tinder and have gone on to have a long-term relationship.
It’s all the same story – it all started with a Tinder conversation!
But there are a few reasons why you also hear most of your friends talking about their super hot Tinder hookups. The first reason is that the app is designed to be quick and convenient. It’s very simple to set up a profile – all you need is a Facebook account or phone number. And come on, who doesn’t? So it makes it incredibly easy for anyone to join.
The second reason is that Tinder is mostly a visual platform. When you’re scrolling through profiles, you’re mainly looking at pictures with very little information about the person. This can lead to a lot of shallow interactions where people are only interested in each other’s looks.
You can’t deny that when you see a hot person on Tinder, you’re more likely to swipe right than if they had an average or below-average-looking photo. And truth be told, a lot of people are only on Tinder for the ego boost of getting matches. It feels good when someone finds you attractive and it’s an easy way to get validation.
You’re being spoonfed every opportunity to get laid with very little effort, and let’s be honest – that’s a tempting offer for most people. So it’s not surprising that Tinder is known as more of a hookup app than anything else.
Why Tinder is Bad.. or at least, its Reputation?
Tinder has gotten a bad reputation over the years as being nothing more than just a hookup app. And while that may be true for some people, it’s not necessarily true for everyone.
We can’t blame you if you think Tinder users are just playboys and girls who only want to have fun without any strings attached. Especially if you’re a bit of a hopeless romantic and you’re looking for “the one”, this can be disheartening.
Don’t be ashamed to admit that you were one of the many who agreed to several meetups hoping that this time, it would be different and more than casual sex. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
But there’s nothing wrong with wanting a serious relationship or even marriage from your potential Tinder dates. And you’re not the only one – a lot of people on dating sites feel the same way. It can be hard to find someone who’s on the app for more than just a one-night stand, but it is possible.
Perhaps it’s getting a bad reputation because people are too quick to judge and write off Tinder as being shallow and only for young adults looking for hook ups.
On the surface, it may seem that way. After all, being served a stream of hot photos and being able to swipe left or right on them is pretty superficial. Sounds a lot like judging a book by its cover, doesn’t it?
But if you take the time to get to know someone, you may be surprised at how much they have in common. So don’t write off Tinder just yet – give it a try with an open mind and see what happens!
Of course, there are some horror stories about people meeting up with their Tinder matches and getting robbed or even worse. But these stories are few and far between and they usually happen because other users don’t take the necessary precautions, such as meeting their Tinder date in real life in a public place first.
So while there are some risks associated with using Tinder, as there are with any other dating apps, if you’re cautious and use your common sense, you’ll be just fine.
In terms of its reputation, Tinder is slowly but surely shaking off its hookup app image and becoming more accepted as a legitimate online dating app. As more and more people find real relationships through these online dating platforms, its reputation will continue to improve.
The Verdict
So, is Tinder just for hookups? No, Tinder is not just for hookups. While it may have started that way, the app has evolved into a true dating app with a lot of people looking for serious relationships.
Obviously, there are still people who use it for hookups, and we can’t fault them for that, but if you’re looking for something more, it’s not impossible. Just be prepared to swipe through a lot of frogs before you find your prince or princess.
Well, at the end of the day, your time on Tinder is what you make of it. You’ll be getting a lot of rejections, a couple of matches, bad dates, cute hangouts, a handful of creeps, weirdos, some good guys or girls, and if you’re lucky, maybe even the love of your life. The dating world is not a universal experience, and that’s the best part about it!
Every time you open up Tinder, it’s a new adventure. You’ll be meeting new people, having new experiences, and (hopefully) learning a little bit more about yourself along the way. There are millions upon millions of users who are using Tinder for all sorts of reasons, so don’t let the app’s reputation discourage you.
Also, don’t take it personally when you are not getting any matches on Tinder, and try not to get too disheartened when you go on a few bad dates. You are bound to meet people who are looking for a relationship, but you will also come across huge time wasters. Most users can attest to that.
On the flip side – the more people you meet, the better your odds are of finding someone special who will swipe right on you.
Just keep swiping, because eventually, you’ll find someone who makes all of the effort worth it. If not, at least you had some fun along the way, right? Only time can tell.
Whether you’re looking for love or just a bit of fun on the first date, Tinder is a great option. Just remember to be safe, take things slow, and most importantly, don’t take them too seriously. Happy swiping!
If you’re on the wilder side and don’t mind some casual hookups, then good news! Check out our homepage for a list of other apps for casual hook ups out there. You’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you!
