ANYONE WHO’S EVER used Tinder knows that it’s really nothing more than a numbers game. The more times you swipe right, the higher your odds of finding a chick who’ll be into you, or at the very least, attracted to you. But not all the stats associated with Tinder are promising—especially if you’re actually looking for something beyond a one-time hookup. In fact, among popular apps, Tinder has the lowest rate of long-term relationship success, according to a recent Consumers’ Research survey. Only 13% of users who’ve met through the app stay together past the first four weeks—the lowest rate among all of the dating services reviewed for the study. And experts aren’t too shocked. Many say the game-like basis of the app, the surface level messages, and profile tag-lines are to blame. “It makes it very challenging to gauge if you’re compatible,” explains Laurie Davis Edwards, founder of eFlirt, an online dating concierge service.
The best way to determine if you’re a good fit for “Casie, 25” (and the best way to lay the groundwork for a lasting relationship) is to put a solid effort into planning the first few dates. “Use cues from her profile to curate a meaningful experience,” advises Gina Stewart, a dating coach that specializes in the online scene. “Not only does this show her that you’re paying attention, it will also create a better experience, which could be the seed that allows a relationship to grow beyond the first month.”
To help you plan the perfect date for your Tinder match, we asked Stewart and Edwards to drum up some creative date ideas based on different elements of both your and your crush’s profile. Ask her on one of these well-thought-out outings and you’re sure to set the stage for something long-term.
