Why Do Students Swipe Right?
Why Do Students Swipe Right?
Online dating apps have revolutionised how people connect, but their effectiveness and user satisfaction are still debated. While much research focuses on design, understanding user behaviors and perceptions is crucial. This study delves into how university students interact with dating apps, revealing unique insights into their practices and views. We explore key questions to better understand the student experience with these platforms.
Online dating apps have changed the way people find romantic partners, using features like location-based matchmaking and peer-to-peer communication. As these platforms evolve, they aim to meet diverse user needs and act as digital matchmakers.
Despite their popularity, the effectiveness and user satisfaction of these apps remain debated. While many studies focus on design and technology, we need to understand user behaviors and perceptions better.
We addressed the following challenges:
How can online dating platforms be used to cater to the social needs of university-going students?
What problems do university-going students in India face with online dating apps?
How can these be optimized for a better overall experience?
How can online dating platforms be used to cater to the social needs of university-going students?
What problems do university-going students in India face with online dating apps?
How can these be optimized for a better overall experience?
The 3-Phase Journey of Finding Matches
The 3-Phase Journey of Finding Matches
We observed the Online Dating process to unfold over the three following stages:
We observed the Online Dating process to unfold over the three following stages:
Before
Profile Creation: Users create profiles, sharing details like interests, hobbies, and location.
Verification: Ensuring user information is accurate to reduce catfishing and build trust.
Before
Profile Creation: Users create profiles, sharing details like interests, hobbies, and location.
Verification: Ensuring user information is accurate to reduce catfishing and build trust.
Why University Students?
University students face major changes from high school to college, including social anxiety that can hinder making friends and joining events. Online dating platforms help students connect and overcome these challenges. Linked with social media, they offer friend recommendations for more trusted matchmaking.
This study focuses on university students because they are a diverse group experiencing significant social shifts. Understanding their use of online dating apps provides insights into how these platforms aid in building new connections.
University students face major changes from high school to college, including social anxiety that can hinder making friends and joining events. Online dating platforms help students connect and overcome these challenges. Linked with social media, they offer friend recommendations for more trusted matchmaking.
This study focuses on university students because they are a diverse group experiencing significant social shifts. Understanding their use of online dating apps provides insights into how these platforms aid in building new connections.
"How do you find love?"
"How do you find love?"
This study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gain a comprehensive understanding of university students' perceptions and practices surrounding online dating.
The quantitative component encompassed a survey to collect participants’ socio-demographic information and details about their preferences and utilisation of online dating platforms.
The qualitative aspect involved conducting semi-structured in-person interviews, ranging from half an hour to one hour. These interviews aimed to explore participants’ motivations and willingness to engage with dating apps, encouraging discussions on their past experiences with matchmaking and sharing insights into their success rates.
This study employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gain a comprehensive understanding of university students' perceptions and practices surrounding online dating.
The quantitative component encompassed a survey to collect participants’ socio-demographic information and details about their preferences and utilisation of online dating platforms.
The qualitative aspect involved conducting semi-structured in-person interviews, ranging from half an hour to one hour. These interviews aimed to explore participants’ motivations and willingness to engage with dating apps, encouraging discussions on their past experiences with matchmaking and sharing insights into their success rates.
Online Survey
After receiving IRB approval, we conducted an online survey targeting university students transitioning from high school to college. The survey, created with Google Forms and distributed via social media and email, was designed with three branches based on users’ dating app experience:
Never used dating apps.
Used them in the past.
Currently using them.
Informed consent was obtained, and participants could withdraw at any time. Below are the survey statistics and design details.
Below are the statistics from the survey along with the survey design.
After getting ethical approval from the university’s Institutional Review Board (IRB), we conducted an extensive online survey targeting University students transitioning from High School to College. The form was created using Google Forms and floated via social media and email.
Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the studies were conducted, and they were informed that they could withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.
The survey was designed to have three branches based on the user’s experience with dating apps, those who:
Had never used them.
Had used them in the past.
Are currently using them.
Below are the statistics from the survey along with the survey design.
Here are some interesting reasons that users gave when asked why they stopped using Dating Apps:
Following the extensive survey providing preliminary context about university students’ behavioural patterns and preferences regarding online dating, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a subset of survey participants. The inclusion criteria were being a current university student aged 19-22, willing to participate in the study, and participating in the preceding online survey.
We conducted 11 semi-structured in-person interviews with university students [8M, 3F]. The interviews were designed to elicit detailed and nuanced responses from the participants about their experiences and perspectives.The interviews lasted between 30 and 80 minutes and were audio-recorded with the participant’s consent. The open-ended interview questions allowed participants to share their experiences and perspectives freely. The interview questions were pilot-tested with a small group of students before the main study to ensure they were clear and relevant.
We then performed a thematic analysis by open, axial, and selective coding of the responses from post-recording transcripts to identify emerging themes and patterns. We used these codes to understand the data better and generate insights about our participants’ experiences.
Semi-Structured Interviews
We conducted 11 in-person interviews with university students (8M, 3F) aged 19-22, following a preliminary survey. These semi-structured interviews, lasting 30-80 minutes, explored their online dating experiences. All interviews were audio-recorded with consent. Using thematic analysis (open, axial, selective coding), we identified key patterns and insights. Interview questions were pilot-tested to ensure clarity and relevance.
Here are some interesting reasons that users gave when asked why they stopped using Dating Apps:
Openness to dating apps
“Digital intimacy is not a real thing. There is physical intimacy, there is emotional intimacy which is more important to me. People are prioritising physical intimacy more, hookup culture is to blame.”
“You don’t want to date someone and say that you met them through a dating app, and the stigma is big enough for me to ghost them.”
Creating profiles and Self-representation
“My profile was a vague representation of me, it did not tell a lot about me. My friends said that looking at the profile, the other person would not have an idea on what things to have the conversation about.”
“My profile is not very personal, I’ve just added some of my photos, some memes, and every prompt is answered as ‘Your mom’.”
Evaluating profiles and Matching
“If there was some logic of thought behind the profile, then I would consider swiping right. I won’t care much about their looks or photos first hand.”
“As a guy, it feels very validating to get matches because I am aware that guys usually struggle to get any”
Transitioning out of the dating apps
“Sometimes I have talked to them on Instagram, but most of the times it doesn’t last.”
“Around 7-8 conversations have shifted to Instagram DMs and one to WhatsApp but usually they fizzle out once the conversation shifts to other platforms.”
Icebreakers and Conversations
“Sometimes the conversations are so generic I even forget their names. It feels like you have to start flirting with the person within an hour of getting matched, and I don’t feel comfortable flirting with a stranger.”
“Pick up lines and straightforward conversations are better in terms of conversion rate”
Comparing different platforms
“On Bumble, the conversation is faster, more towards leading to a hookup. One platform promotes you to look through a profile and genuinely consider a person, and the other platform is like swipe left, swipe right. Tinder and Bumble are really fast-paced; you just see the cover photo and swipe.”
Behavioural/Usage patterns
“Used Hinge for half a month, and Bumble for half a week. I just do not like how attention demanding these apps can get.”
“Dating apps help me in feeling quite validated and happy initially. Then, after a few days, dating apps don’t meet my expectations. The dissatisfaction from dating apps provokes a bad mood”
Security and Privacy concerns
“Safety is a huge concern. A friend of mine told me that they hooked up with someone through a dating app and got blackmailed for money. Catfishing is quite common. People present themselves a lot more differently on dating apps as they are in real life.”
Openness to dating apps
“Digital intimacy is not a real thing. There is physical intimacy, there is emotional intimacy which is more important to me. People are prioritising physical intimacy more, hookup culture is to blame.”
“You don’t want to date someone and say that you met them through a dating app, and the stigma is big enough for me to ghost them.”
Creating profiles and Self-representation
“My profile was a vague representation of me, it did not tell a lot about me. My friends said that looking at the profile, the other person would not have an idea on what things to have the conversation about.”
“My profile is not very personal, I’ve just added some of my photos, some memes, and every prompt is answered as ‘Your mom’.”
Evaluating profiles and Matching
“If there was some logic of thought behind the profile, then I would consider swiping right. I won’t care much about their looks or photos first hand.”
“As a guy, it feels very validating to get matches because I am aware that guys usually struggle to get any”
Transitioning out of the dating apps
“Sometimes I have talked to them on Instagram, but most of the times it doesn’t last.”
“Around 7-8 conversations have shifted to Instagram DMs and one to WhatsApp but usually they fizzle out once the conversation shifts to other platforms.”
Icebreakers and Conversations
“Sometimes the conversations are so generic I even forget their names. It feels like you have to start flirting with the person within an hour of getting matched, and I don’t feel comfortable flirting with a stranger.”
“Pick up lines and straightforward conversations are better in terms of conversion rate”
Comparing different platforms
“On Bumble, the conversation is faster, more towards leading to a hookup. One platform promotes you to look through a profile and genuinely consider a person, and the other platform is like swipe left, swipe right. Tinder and Bumble are really fast-paced; you just see the cover photo and swipe.”
Behavioural/Usage patterns
“Used Hinge for half a month, and Bumble for half a week. I just do not like how attention demanding these apps can get.”
“Dating apps help me in feeling quite validated and happy initially. Then, after a few days, dating apps don’t meet my expectations. The dissatisfaction from dating apps provokes a bad mood”
Security and Privacy concerns
“Safety is a huge concern. A friend of mine told me that they hooked up with someone through a dating app and got blackmailed for money. Catfishing is quite common. People present themselves a lot more differently on dating apps as they are in real life.”
(swipe)
Competitive Analysis
We analyzed four popular dating apps—Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Aisle—to evaluate how they support various dating goals, from relationships to casual connections. Over a month, our team explored profile setup, user experience, features, and security measures on both iOS and Android. This hands-on approach revealed key strengths and weaknesses in usability, design, and user protection, providing actionable insights into how these apps cater to different dating objectives.
In today’s crowded dating app market, we analyzed five popular platforms—Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Grindr, and Aisle—to see how they measure up. Three of us (two males, M1 and M2, and one female, F1) spent a month using these apps, exploring their features, user experience, and security measures. By creating profiles and navigating the apps ourselves, we identified key strengths and weaknesses, offering insights into their usability, design, and how well they protect users from unwanted interactions.
The apps were downloaded from the App Store / Play Store on iOS / Android and were last updated as of 9 May 2023.
Hinge
Encourages meaningful interactions with prompts and detailed profiles.
Provides filters for precise matchmaking (e.g., zodiac signs, ethnicity).
Mandatory photo uploads during sign-up ensure a committed user base.
Privacy features include concealing first names and managing online status.
Smaller user base compared to other apps but focuses on serious relationships.
Hinge
Encourages meaningful interactions with prompts and detailed profiles.
Provides filters for precise matchmaking (e.g., zodiac signs, ethnicity).
Mandatory photo uploads during sign-up ensure a committed user base.
Privacy features include concealing first names and managing online status.
Smaller user base compared to other apps but focuses on serious relationships.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Through our surveys and interviews, we’ve uncovered a nuanced landscape of online dating among university students, shaped by societal norms, personal choices, and evolving preferences. The insights gathered shed light on the key practices and shared perceptions within this demographic, offering a deeper understanding of their online dating experiences.
Openness to dating apps
University students acknowledge the popularity of dating apps but are concerned that these platforms often emphasize physical connections over emotional ones. The stigma surrounding online dating also influences behaviors like hiding app usage from friends and family.
Creating profiles and Self-representation
Students’ approaches to creating profiles vary, influenced by both personal choices and peer pressure. The strategies used to craft digital personas reflect the broader social dynamics of online identity formation.
Evaluating profiles and Matching
There are noticeable gender differences in the matching experience, with straight men often facing challenges. Participants express discomfort with the superficial nature of matches and the overwhelming validation some receive.
Security and Privacy concerns
Safety concerns like blackmail and catfishing are significant issues for students. The fear of misrepresentation and potential harm highlights the need for app developers to focus on creating secure and trustworthy platforms.
Suggestions to Improve User Experience
Students suggest that apps should offer more personalization, with sections based on relationship goals and creative combinations of user preferences. They also recommend integrating real-world events into the app experience, which could make the platforms more engaging and better suited to their needs.
Openness to dating apps
University students acknowledge the popularity of dating apps but are concerned that these platforms often emphasize physical connections over emotional ones. The stigma surrounding online dating also influences behaviors like hiding app usage from friends and family.
Creating profiles and Self-representation
Students’ approaches to creating profiles vary, influenced by both personal choices and peer pressure. The strategies used to craft digital personas reflect the broader social dynamics of online identity formation.
Evaluating profiles and Matching
There are noticeable gender differences in the matching experience, with straight men often facing challenges. Participants express discomfort with the superficial nature of matches and the overwhelming validation some receive.
Security and Privacy concerns
Safety concerns like blackmail and catfishing are significant issues for students. The fear of misrepresentation and potential harm highlights the need for app developers to focus on creating secure and trustworthy platforms.
Suggestions to Improve User Experience
Students suggest that apps should offer more personalization, with sections based on relationship goals and creative combinations of user preferences. They also recommend integrating real-world events into the app experience, which could make the platforms more engaging and better suited to their needs.
(swipe)
That's the end of this one.
Wanna see another?
That's the end of this one.
Wanna see another?