Tinder

Hey Bloggers!

So basically I just wanted to share with you all an assignment that I did at Uni, for a module called Magazine Journalism. We had to create an article for a magazine of our choice and I chose Cosmopolitan, as Cosmo's content is prominently made up of sex, love, relationships and dating, I thought that I would introduce Cosmo reader to Tinder! So have a little read and enjoy! (NOTE: the article is written as if it is going to be featured in Cosmo, and unfortunately I can't upload exactly the same layout!)

Online dating?
That's soo last decade.
Welcome to the world
 of 21st century dating
 with new app Tinder. 

Originally launched in the US in September 2013, Tinder is now breaking its way into the UK on a mission to help locals find love.

The App

Tinder finds out who’s near to your location through GPS on your phone and then links to your Facebook account. The app then creates a profile for you, of your first name, age and photos of your choice for other Tinder users to view.

The Idea

A picture pops onto your phone screen of someone that Tinder has matched with similar interests to you. You are then given the power to swipe them to the right for ‘Hot’ or to the left for ‘Not’ giving users the feeling of ultimate control by simply throwing unworthy candidates into the bin. Luckily Tinder is anonymous leaving you feeling guilt free and not having to undergo any heartache if your latest crush rejects you and places you in the ‘Not’ so hot pile.

If ‘the swipe is right’ and someone you liked thinks you’re a ‘hotty’ then it’s your lucky day and Tinder lets you flirt within the app.

The Creator

Justin Mateen, co-founder of the app explains why the app is so popular. ‘People are using Tinder standing in line at a coffee shop, Tinder is an app, you can use on-the-go. There’s an ease to it. That’s why people are addicted.’

Hot or Not

Could love be just one swipe away?

 

Although some would opt to swiping Tinder to the left ‘Not’ and have nicknamed the app as the ‘hook up app’ (ooo saucy!) Justin Mateen defends Tinder, ‘It was never meant to be used for hooking up. We just did a poll recently, and a tiny percentage of our users think that’s what Tinder is for.’ Phew! so there is still a chance for us at Cosmo to find genuine love through the app.

The Experience

We spoke to two of our Cosmo readers about their experience with the dating app.

Sophie: I downloaded the app as a bit of fun to start with and liked the fact you could see how many mutual friends you had with a person. I ended up going out with a guy who was mutual friends with my housemate so was reassured that "swiping right" wouldn't be a terrible idea. I think it's really handy around uni, you meet people on there doing similar things to you and it's pretty easy to filter out the weirdos! The date was fine and saw him a couple of times more but nothing has materialised since.

Shannon: At first I found Tinder a weird app, as it doesn’t really tell you much about the person, you are simply judging someone by looks. I accidently swiped someone ‘Hot’ without realising how it worked! What made things even worse was that later he was matched with me! (ultra awks) We started talking and then he suggested we meet up, I had never used a dating site before so it was a totally new experience for me. I like that Tinder is connected to Facebook so you know the people you are meeting are legitimate. Since my date we have continued to meet up which I guess is a good sign.

 
The Figures
With 1 in 5 relationships starting online it is no surprise that the number of UK Tinder users is increasing by 25% every week.

· The UK online dating market is estimated to be worth £150 million.

· 80% of people know someone that has found love online.

· There are currently over 1400 dating websites.

Have you had any swiping mishaps on Tinder? Let us know by tweeting us @CosmopolitanUK.