In a relatively short period, online dating has progressed in leaps and bounds. From inauspicious origins, when singles were invited to connect via clunky messaging platforms, the dating industry has become massive. Upwards of one in three of today’s singles will have met their partner via digital flirting. With more and more websites and apps being unleashed on an almost daily basis, that figure is set to increase dramatically. By the end of this decade, virtual romance will have become the default method of connection. How do we predict some of the new trends and developments which will affect modern singles?
Micro dating
The recent COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted how people interact with strangers. Although world health has been given a collective all-clear, there’s no doubt that the social climate is still affected by months of lockdown. The knock-on effect of this is that singles, consciously or subconsciously, will still be wary of connecting with some random. But this is exactly why more and more individuals are now choosing to sign up for an online dating site where they can build a real rapport with a variety of prospective partners, doing so without even leaving home. So, if you’re on the lookout for a travel companion, especially someone ticking the boxes of a gay voyager who’ll be into exploring similar places, going online is your best bet. Rather than opting for a generic website or app where you’ll be casting a wide net, an increasingly popular trend will be to ‘micro date.’ In other words, tap into the dating site’s powerful algorithms to help you drill down to the most appropriate LGBT partners for your trip. When you sign up to a site like Nu-Date, you’ll take control of your destiny, deciding which of the available singles appears to be most suitable.
Travel-based inspiration
Another trend related to micro or compatibility-oriented dating is seeking partners sharing your wanderlust. Travel is breaking down all sorts of cultural boundaries, as individuals are becoming empowered to widen their horizons, and seek adventure. Online dating will drive this trend, with newcomers to Nu-Date being presented with options to meet singles from a variety of backgrounds, united by their taste for adventure. Let’s take an example. Say you’re into outdoor pursuits like wild swimming. The algorithms built into Nu-Date would not only steer you towards other site users sharing your passion for this sport, but they could also do so by location. If you wanted to arrange get-togethers in Oxfordshire to tackle the waterways in the Cotswolds or other areas, this could easily be organised. This would give you ample scope for chatting to a new partner online, as you consider the best places to meet, and get excited about planning your adventure.
Virtual reality (VR)
Another trend liable to influence the Nu-Date matching service is the use of advanced technology, especially VR. Growing numbers of websites of every description are making this available, providing their customers with a seamless way to interact with prospective partners. This innovative method of interaction is just around the corner, where singles will be able to arrange to meet avatar versions of each other within artificial worlds. The combination of ultra-realistic computer graphics and the power of suggestion (via VR headsets) will create an ideal environment for developing chemistry.
Interracial partnerships
Several factors are impacting this trend. First of all, after the pandemic, travel companies are eager to recoup their losses by offering deals on cheap getaways. Secondly, online dating makes it so straightforward to get to know other site users, regardless of their location. After signing up to become a member of Nu-Date, you could just as easily flirt with other singles from the other side of the world as in your neighborhood. If you’ve always been drawn to the idea of romance with a fiery Latina, a friendly Finn, or a charming Chinese girl, these affable individuals are all waiting to hear from you, their details right at your fingertips. If you’ve always felt slightly awkward about reaching out to strangers, any inhibitions will dissolve once you begin exchanging regular DMs.
Video dating
Following on from that previous trend, video chatting is set to become so much more popular as we move further into 2024. Again, hearkening back to the pandemic, Zoom, FaceTime, and Skype all became household words. But these technologies kept society sane! For anyone comfortable interacting with colleagues via a screen, this will be a convenient way of instigating flirty conversations. Instead of business associates, with potential partners. If this trend continues, singles will also be focused on looking their best for the lens! Feeling positive will boost self-esteem, making sure good mental health remains a key objective. As dating can be a little stressful, this is an ideal scenario.
