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This Is The Most Popular Dating App For U.S. Singles Right Now

by Natalia Lusinski
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When it comes to dating apps, they come in all kinds of different formats — swiping right or left, having a short profile versus a longer one, having the option to answer questions about yourself that potential matches can see, and so on. So when it comes to choosing which dating app to use, things can get a bit confusing. Sure, you can sign up for all of them, but that, too, gets overwhelming as your phone keeps blowing up with matches or messages. Luckily, a survey just revealed the most popular dating apps in 2018 among U.S. singles, which will be a big time-saver the next time you're debating which ones to download.

Technology company ReportLinker surveyed 501 online respondents in the U.S. aged 18 to 64 who mentioned they're singles, widowed, or divorced. As far as the popularity of dating apps is concerned, those who online date said they belong to 2.4 websites on average. And, of course, everyone has different motivations for going online — some may just want a hookup whereas others want to find a significant other.

They also discovered that people had varied reasons for going online: 60 percent said it was to find true love, followed by 41 percent who said it was to meet new friends, and 34 percent were looking for hookups. All that said, they also found out the dating apps were using, so you may want to get your phone ready to download some — or all — of them.

1Tinder

Tinder won as the most popular dating app, with 42 percent of mentions among those surveyed.

Among Millennials, that number was even higher, with 70 percent of them revealing they use it. And it makes sense: The app seems to always be adding new fun features, from having users name their favorite song, their "anthem," to the ability to "Super Like" someone.

2Match

Match came in second place with 32 percent of mentions in ReportLinker's findings. Match, too, differentiates itself from some of its online competitors by showing where you and another user crossed paths IRL through their "Missed Connections" feature. For instance, if you crossed paths at a certain bookstore, you automatically have a common interest, which is a good start.

3PlentyOfFish

PlentyOfFish (POF) made the top four apps and came in third place as the most popular dating app, with 26 percent of mentions. Unlike a *lot* of the dating apps out there, with POF, you don't have to link to your Facebook account. So this means that you can be anonymous and use a username versus your actual name, which definitely has its benefits.

4OkCupid

Rounding out the top four dating apps was OkCupid (OKC), which received 25 percent of mentions. One new change with the app is that they are no longer allowing members to have usernames. Instead, you are supposed to use your first name. And OKC is also renowned for all the unique questions you can answer if you so choose, such as "Is it OK to answer your cell phone while out with a friend or on a date?" As you can imagine, they make for good conversation-starters.

There you have it: The most popular dating apps in 2018. If you haven't tried all four of the above, what are you waiting for? In any case, happy matching/swiping/dating, no matter which apps you use.