DatingNews

3 weeks ago | datingnews.com | Hayley Folk

It’s official: Gen Z is rewriting the rules of dating. And I know as a millennial who feels like she’s seen everything from the early aughts of Tinder dating to just recently being ghosted by an Australian man I met on Feeld, I am not so mad at the idea. A change in the dating world? Personally, I welcome it.

1 month ago | datingnews.com | Hayley Folk

Most dating apps still assume one thing: The folks using apps are there to find “The One” — the special, ultimate person to make the need for dating go away. Sure, maybe not right away, but eventually, someone to match with and date, move in with, perhaps marry, buy the white picket fence, and have children. It’s a tidy (and possibly unrealistic arc in 2025?!)Swipe right, chat, meet, fall in love, exit the app.

1 month ago | datingnews.com | Emma Patterson

Reading has regained its popularity among young women thanks to BookTok and the countless high fantasy novels that mix plot with passion. Romance readers can bond over their shared passions in person at the Aces Wild Author and Reader event at the Atlantic City Convention Center on June 13-15. The three-day book signing event, hosted by Cuffed in Chicago, will feature more than 80 romance and erotica authors. “Whether you’re obsessed with spicy scenes or just want to fangirl with friends, ‘Aces Wild’ has your heart covered,” according to a Cuffed in Chicago press release. Romance has always been a popular genre, but we have BookTok to thank for its recent resurgence. The TikTok community has encouraged young women to swap dating apps for romance novels. There’s something to be said for how women-centered literature celebrates female pleasure, prioritizes female perspectives, and destigmatizes erotic fiction. But for the overall dating industry, the female-first literature trend points to a growing group of women who are tired of swiping through apps and going on strings of dead-end dates. They want something that mirrors the epic romances discussed on BookTok. And dating apps, try as they might to innovate, don’t always evoke the same epic feeling as a high fantasy romance novel. Apps and Books Both Spark a Chemical ReactionWhether they’re reading about it in a book, fantasizing about their own lives, or swiping through profiles on a dating app, romance-lovers desire the rush of new love. The problem is, dating apps no longer provide the jolt of adrenaline they once did. Psychology Today’s Isabelle Morley, a licensed clinical psychologist, compared the fervent love for “Bridgerton,” the Netflix and romance novel series, to a drug. “It’s a ride that activates our brain’s pleasure and reward centers, leading to intense joy and satisfaction, thus making us want more,” she explained. This chemical […]

1 month ago | datingnews.com | Amber Brooks

In 2018, U.S. law enforcement agencies cracked down on personals sites, like Backpage and Craigslist Personals, to make the online dating world a little safer and more reputable.As a result, Backpage has permanently shut down, and Craigslist closed its personals sections, which has left many sexually active singles and couples wondering where else they can place a classified ad and pick up dates online.Not to worry, there are over 8,000 dating sites out there, and many of them have proven effective and safe options for finding casual sex. We’ve picked out some of our favorite free classified sites to help singles who are seeking an alternative website to their old standby. Let’s get to it!Best Sites Like Backpage & Craigslist PersonalsBackpage and Craigslist closed without warning and put many sex traffickers out of business. However, the site closures also threw a lot of legit online daters temporarily off their game as they sought a new classified ad website where they could mix and mingle with their type of people — without worrying about sex trafficking.Over the years, several top hookup platforms have emerged as the most popular alternatives to sketchy personals sites and sex job listings. You can check them out for free and permanently delete your old Craigslist ad. is a scandalous dating site (and mobile app) where single and married people can explore romantic possibilities and have a romantic affair that makes them feel alive.Since 2001, Ashley Madison has attracted millions of curious, restless, and open-minded daters. Its discreet features include a photo-masking tool, so you don’t have to bare everything in this sexually charged and fast-paced database.As a dating site for married people or those seeking to have a discreet affair, Ashley Madison has allowed people to follow their hearts and escape their daily routines for a […]

1 month ago | datingnews.com | Amber Brooks

The internet can seem like a sketchy place sometimes, but I’ve seen the online dating world become a much more legitimate space over the years, thanks to more rigorous screening standards. High-tech verification tools can identify and remove a fake profile or malicious bot, allowing real people on the platform to spend their time and energy on legitimate matches.That said, no dating app is 100% free of bots and fake profiles. Verification processes haven’t yet advanced to that point, but the apps we recommend are large brands with leading safety features to help combat fake profiles.Best Overall Dating SitesFirst up, we’re going to review the most successful dating platforms on the market. These overall best dating sites and apps have a lot going in their favor — and they don’t rely on bots or fake profiles to artificially pad their numbers.A free membership on a legit dating platform can make a world of difference, so don’t be shy about joining up with this lot.A free membership on Match includes unlimited browsing, access to search filters, and some communication options (with limits). Free members can send private messages to the highly compatible matches in their Top Picks list. However, only paid members can message any person they like.Match verifies new members through a phone number, email address, or Facebook login. It also requires a profile photo that clearly shows the person’s face. Its robust security features make sure a fake account will not last long here.In recent years, EliteSingles has helped single professionals adjust to changing trends and use video chatting to stay safe while getting to know a new person.Plus, the dating site has raised the bar by asking users to pay for the privilege of viewing photos and sending messages. This deters bad actors from setting up a fake […]