Two years ago, video dating seemed like it was just for those in a long-distance relationship. Only about 6% of daters were corresponding via video pre-pandemic, says Rachel DeAlto, Chief Dating Expert, Match. But according to the site’s tenth annual “Singles in America” study (released October 2020), 70% of respondents are now open to video dates — and enjoying them. “It started during quarantine as a necessity because people couldn’t meet,” DeAlto says, “but we’re finding that people are really connecting on video and having more meaningful conversations.” Match isn’t the only site to see a rise in video dates. Use of the Bumble Voice Call and Video Chat feature increased by nearly 70% in the U.S. since the start of the pandemic, says Priti Joshi, the company’s Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Operations. Not only has video dating become more popular — it’s now downright ubiquitous. Many traditional online dating apps and sites have added interactive capabilities, allowing singles to send video or audio messages or to conduct video calls on their platforms. Use video dating doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, here’s what researchers and experts have learned about dating over a distance in the past year.
Believe it or not, you can feel a spark over video.
After Kyle Smith messaged Olivia Holmes, a woman he met on Bumble, a few times, he called her over video chat. “We ended up talking for three hours,” he recalls. “Our conversation was so organic and, when we weren’t laughing about childhood memories and idiosyncrasies, we would talk about our values and goals in life. I was surprised to feel such great energy between us over video chat because I’ve always been skeptical about online dating. I didn’t realize that people could connect with someone on such a deep level if they had never met in person.” Fast-forward several months (of video and, later, in-person dates), and the couple is engaged.
Not only has video dating become more popular — it’s now downright ubiquitous. Many traditional online dating apps and sites have added interactive capabilities, allowing singles to send video or audio messages or to conduct video calls on their platforms.
Since video dating doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon, here’s what researchers and experts have learned about dating over a distance in the past year.
Believe it or not, you can feel a spark over video.
After Kyle Smith messaged Olivia Holmes, a woman he met on Bumble, a few times, he called her over video chat. “We ended up talking for three hours,” he recalls. “Our conversation was so organic and, when we weren’t laughing about childhood memories and idiosyncrasies, we would talk about our values and goals in life. I was surprised to feel such great energy between us over video chat because I’ve always been skeptical about online dating. I didn’t realize that people could connect with someone on such a deep level if they had never met in person.” Fast-forward several months (of video and, later, in-person dates), and the couple is engaged.