Wanna know something super underrated? Making friends on dating apps. I know you’re probably thinking that’s the opposite of what dating apps are for, but I’m here to blow your mind with a new perspective.
What if you used dating apps for making all kinds of connections, not just romantic ones? What if a dating app is actually the perfect place to make single friends? The team over here at Plenty of Fish is so on board with the idea we coined a dating trend term for it – Communidating. It means using dating apps not just for dating and intimate relationships, but to make friends and connections. It might not be the norm yet, but it’s more than okay. Encouraged even. If you’re not sold yet, here are three good reasons why you should at least be open to it.
Making Single Friends Can be Hard AF
The last few years have taught us a lot of tough lessons, but one of the big ones for all the singles out there is that it can be hard AF to make other single friends. When the friends you’ve already made organically growing up just so happen to also be single, it’s easy peasy. But, if those friends start getting into longer-term relationships or you grow apart, it can feel a little daunting to try and replace that single crew that everyone needs to lean on.
Enter: dating apps. Yes, you heard me. A recent survey by the Plenty of Fish team showed that 59% of singles met new friends via dating apps over the last two years. Think about it. Not everyone you come across on a dating app is going to be your person (obviously), but there are so many cool people that you might meet. What’s wrong with letting friendships bloom along the way? Social media has been facilitating friendships forever, so why not? There’s no rule book that says you can’t.
Online Dating Has More to Offer Than Just Swiping
If you haven’t noticed, dating apps are evolving. People want online experiences that feel just as authentic as real life. The idea of just going on an app to swipe through profiles is becoming outdated and can feel really transactional. Apps like POF that have different ways to connect (not-so-humble brag) can give people space to form relationships in whatever way makes the most sense for them. Sometimes that means friendship!
If the entire concept of this seems new and strange to you, consider giving it a chance. People are building their own communities in really unique ways these days and it’s definitely worth taking advantage of.
Some of the Best Relationships Come from Friendships
Let’s not forget that a huge part of successful romantic relationships is really having a deep friendship with that person (among other things, of course). Not every success story starts with love at first sight. Sometimes, you need to get to know a person first. This is all the more reason to be open to making friends through online dating.
Not everything needs to be so high-pressure, including dating. Maybe you don’t know what you want. Maybe you’re not sure what you’re really looking for. Maybe you just want to ease into the idea of a relationship. Whatever it might be… making friends with the potential of more can be super fun and exciting and seriously take the edge off traditional dating app vibes. When you start looking for your people, you might find your person in the process.
Convinced yet? Time to go build that single crew!
