Dating Apps For Introverts
Flip through a bunch of profiles, decide whether or not a photo piques your interest and start messaging. It sounds like a pretty simple process but for people who are shy it can seem like a daunting task.
Introverts are overwhelmed with questions: What’s the best way to start a conversation? How do you keep it flowing? And how do you bring up the ever important first date? If you’re not a natural talker it can be pretty stressful.
Luckily, shyness doesn’t have to get in the way of dating.
Before you disregard apps entirely remember that you’re not the only one who feels shy.
Wait, other people feel shy on the apps as well?
- Coffee Meets Bagel is a perfect dating app for introverts. Instead of getting bombarded with possible matches every other second, you only get one match per day. Moreover, the app helps you get closer to your match, so you don’t need to put in much time and effort just to get a date.
- Features for introverts: Anomo is 100% about keeping things casual, at least at first, giving you time to feel out the situation. Unlike other dating apps out there, Anomo starts you off with just an avatar. In fact, all of your personal information is locked from the start, so only you can see it.
According to the American Psychological Association, 40% of Americans claim to have experienced shyness. Meanwhile, 2019 data from Stanford University found that dating online is displacing other ways of meeting people - 39% of heterosexual couples and 65% of gay couples are now meeting online.
EliteSingles is a premium dating site for single professionals seeking relationships. The site’s members have high expectations and high standards in the dating scene. Over 85% of its members have graduated from college, and about 90% are over 30 years old. As a free member, you can browse profiles and send likes or photo requests to anyone.
So with that in mind, you’ve got a pretty good chance of finding a lasting relationship online (even if you tend to be on the quiet side). So where can you turn if you’re looking for an app but admit to being shy?
Happn
We’ve all had the experience of making eye contact with someone across the room and hoping they’ll come over and introduce themselves. Now Happn is helping to...well...make that happen.
They’re essentially trying to give you a rom-com moment. You know, a meet-cute? The two main characters cross paths; maybe one knocks into the other and they’re forced to stare into each others eyes and touch hands as they pick up all their papers that unceremoniously fell on the floor. It’s perfect (except it never happens in real life!) Whenever you cross paths with another happn user in the street, their profile appears in your Timeline!
The app is all about finding people you’ve crossed paths with. So imagine you stop at the same coffee shop every morning before work and lock eyes with the same person while ordering your medium latté. Too shy to say hello irl? Just send them a message on Happn and let the sparks fly.
Wandure
Here’s the thing about Wandure. We've eliminated the swiping and jumped immediately to the date. Why make connections in the virtual world, if that’s where they’ll stay?
Websites For Introverts
What started as a way for people to find travel buddies and has since brought dating back into the real world. Like most dating apps you start with a profile which showcases your most Instagram-able pictures and from there you take a look at fellow users who are also in search of something more than endless swiping.
Give us your date, budget and availability and the app plans the date for you.
It’s only once you find out where you're going on your surprise date that you have the chance to talk with your match - so no endless chatting with a stranger before you meet! An shy persons dream!
Coffee Meets Bagel
When you sign up with Coffee Meets Bagel you’ll receive “quality matches curated just for you by [their] ever-evolving algorithm” everyday at noon. Coffee Meets Bagel puts more emphasis on the user’s profile by showing off more of the text and allowing users to “heart” the profile.
You can also “comment” on a profile directly before starting a conversation. It gives users the opportunity to break the ice or maybe even spark a connection before you start chatting. Once you’ve found someone who’s piqued your interest, ask them out, put down the app and get to know them in person!
The app gives you a limited number of profiles per day so you can invest your energy in one or two people at a time.
Anomo
Created by self-proclaimed introvert James Sun, Anomo helps shy people create an avatar - or 'anomo' - to hide themselves while they strike up new conversations. It’s almost like going to a masquerade.
Everyone on Anomo starts off anonymous and as you speak to people you can reveal pieces of your real self that's 100% in your control. According to their website, 'First impressions are based on more than a simple photo.'
S’more
Ready for something S’more? You get five recommended profiles daily and see two details about each person. You tap on a profile to read more about them and even have the opportunity to hear their favourite song or listen to a voice response.
There’s one other thing we forgot to mention about S’more (which stands for something more) - all photos of potential matches are blurred. The idea is to encourage users to get to know a bit more about their match before seeing who they are.
'Dating is not a beauty contest,' said founder Adam Cohen-Aslatei. 'While physical attraction is very important, it's only part of the love equation. S’More delivers on the full package.”
Once
Once is a leading dating app in Europe with up to 10M users and thousands of couples as a result. So what’s so special about Once? For starters, you can’t swipe in this app - mainly because you’re only given one match a day.
It sounds pretty crazy when you compare it against other major dating apps like Tinder and Bumble.
You start off by submitting your email or your Facebook profile and from there, you’re required to indicate your name, age, gender, sexual orientation, and phone number (which leads to you getting a verification code for your account). Make sure you choose a profile photo that clearly shows our face or you’ll be notified that the picture isn’t adequate. Remember, you’re only getting one match a day so your profile photo is key!
They’ve also introduced what they call slow-dating which encourages users to focus less on dating apps and more on dating.
Ship
If you’ve ever dragged a friend along for moral support this is the app for you! Unlike traditional dating apps that let the user choose the date, Ship puts your friends, parents, siblings and roommates in control. Ship believes that, “friends are just as significant as your significant other.”
For some, inviting your friends to weigh in on potential romantic partners may seem nerve-wracking. For others it’s essential.
They become a part of your “crew” and then have the opportunity to swipe on dating profiles on the user's behalf and using a group messaging feature known as the “crew chat” to discuss the pros and cons of potential matches. Your friends often know you better than you know yourself, so why not let your inner circle become a part of the dating experience?
As an introvert, you probably cherish the time where you get to unwind alone. Other times, though, you may want to reach out to a friend to talk. Luckily, with today’s modern apps, you have the resources to easily meet like-minded people.
If you find making friends intimidating or are just having trouble doing so, give these apps a try. They may help you meet new people and discover things you never knew about.
1. Reddit
Reddit is a great place to start when looking for friends. Not only is it a source to find information on anything and everything you could imagine, but you can also meet similar people and bond over shared interests.
Reddit consists of millions of subreddits that focus on specific things, from gaming to animals, from questions to ideas. When you join these subreddits, you can connect with those who have similar interests or characteristics.
Dating Apps For Introverts Reddit
While you can keep this relationship online, other groups may be more local. Meeting up with those members could be an easy way to make the virtual friendship an in-person one.
2. Instagram
As one of the biggest apps in the world, Instagrammakes for another helpful place to search for connections. Instagram is similar to Reddit in that it allows for an easy platform to interact with others, but the two differ in other ways.
Instagram users tend to add hashtags to their photos’ captions. These hashtags are a gateway to certain interests. Like subreddits, they can be as broad or specific as imaginable.
With Instagram, you may be more likely to find online friends rather than in-person ones. However, based on hashtags that may be near you or include a location, there are no limits to who’s in your area. Then, you can directly message someone and start that friendship.
3. Workfrom
If you work from home and are looking to make friends, this is the app for you. This goes for any type of work, including students, parents, freelancers, writers and more.
With Workfrom, you can engage with your local community to find the best places to work, with or without others around. You can find recommendations as well as contribute your own.
For example, people near you may recommend a coffee shop or the local library. You can also find information regarding Wi-Fi speeds and the availability of power outlets.
Try out working around others. There’s little pressure to interact, so you can focus on getting your job done while still making connections.
4. BarkHappy
Sometimes going someplace alone can be scary. Why not take your pup and meet up with another dog owner? With BarkHappy, you can do just that as it offers the best of both worlds: new friends and dogs all in one place.
With this app, you can find dog-friendly locations based on its interactive map. From there, you can meet up with those pooch owners and start a friendship, for you and your four-legged friends.
Dogs are a pure source of joy that bring people together. BarkHappy helps you get started on that connection.
5. Nextdoor
Another way to meet friends is through Nextdoor. This app is your central neighborhood hub for all things local. You can simply walk down the street to find new pals.
On Nextdoor, you can search for recommendations, events, services, restaurants and more. You can ask your own questions, too. You’ll also find local updates about things like road repairs, weather and more.
Nextdoor serves as a private social media for your neighbourhood. The app requires verification from all neighbours, so you can have a safe time meeting new friends and exploring the community around you.
This app takes the old way of making friends and gives it a modern update.
6. Patook
Dating App For Introverts
Patook takes the standard swipe-dating app and refreshes it for people seeking friends only. With its strictly platonic platform, you can find a friend in no time.
With Patook, you create a profile and customize it as you want. Then you swipe through the people that are within your radius and see who you match with. Then you can strike up a conversation right away.
This app also offers some other cool other features, like letting you customize who you are visible to. You can also make public posts for everyone to see.
Something else neat is its ability to detect lulls in conversations. If the chat starts to mellow out, Patook can suggest ways and prompts to rekindle things.
Stepping Out Into the Social Life
It is a common misconception that introverts are antisocial. On the contrary, they love socializing — but only with the right atmosphere and group.
Downloading the apps and creating profiles is one thing. Finding people and starting conversations is another. However, it’s up to you to use these skills and tools to create a blossoming friendship.
Whether you want an online friendship or a local one, these apps can help kick-start those connections. All you have to do is say hello.
- The 6 Best Apps for Introverts Looking for Friends - March 26, 2020