2020 will be remembered in history for one of time’s worst pandemics. The year had everyone wearing masks, sanitizing hands, staying home and even quarantining. Vaccinations this year began to instill hope, and is still continuing to do so. But just as a lot of things that were introduced in these years are now a part and parcel of life, dating apps too have incorporated pandemic-related changes. Let’s check Tinder’s “Year in Swipe 2021” report in brief.
Vaccination Badge
Between February and August 2021, vaccinations rolled out and people round the world were seen taking them. Similarly, vaccination mentions increased almost 40 times on Tinder bios. The vaccinated badge on tinder got so popular that it became a flex on the tinder app.
Small gestures as popular topics
Along with vaccination, small topics like ‘getting them coffee’ or ‘complimenting their outfits’ proved to be popular topics for dating app users.
Favorite First Date Activity
Users preferred different first date activities this year. Long walks topped the list of favorite activities to do on a first date. Other options like pottery, cycling also were top choices. For Tinder users in India, a virtual movie night and picnic in a park were the most popular choices.
Video calls
The video call culture increased exponentially during the pandemic. Tinder too introduced its video-calling app in October 2020. People from Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Chennai were the ones who used this feature of the app the most. Mentions of video calls in Tinder bios too increased globally by 52%. And so, did mentions of nearby and close-by by 20% as people welcomed the idea of open dates wholeheartedly.
Most popular emoji
With emojis being popular on all apps which involves typing, a large percentage of bios on Tinder too have emojis in them. This year, t he side-eye emoji was used the most with 40% increase in usage. According to the dating app, it was used to express optimism and apprehension, both. The black heart and smile with a blush were other two most used emojis.
Tinder’s Year in Swipe 2021 had data from 1st January to 30th November, 2020. The study was done among the Gen Z population of 18-25 years. The report also compared data from the last year at the same time.
