Grapevine

Research shows dating apps, sites are leading to more diverse couples

The so-called "traditional" way of dating has changed drastically over time, especially in the last decade. While most couples used to meet through families and friends or local organizations like church, according to University of New Mexico Sociology Professor Reuben Thomas, many American couples now meet online.

With so many people on dating apps or sites since 2010, Thomas wanted to answer one question: Are people who find a romantic partner online more likely to end up with a partner who is different than them, in terms of race, religion, age, and education? His research shows the answer is yes in almost every category except for age.

According to Thomas' research, published in 2020, couples who date online are more likely to end up in an interracial relationship and date someone from a different religious background or college degree level.

"People mostly have a circle of friends who are people of the same ethnicity, religion, even social class, so meeting people through them, they tend to meet people of the same religion, ethnicity, race, and social class as themselves," Thomas said. "When you go online, you can meet anybody in the metropolitan area and if you're willing to travel, anybody even farther, and that's suddenly a much more diverse starting place to find love."

Research also shows online daters are more likely to be similar in age than if they met offline. "Online dating spaces, all of them, make age a primary factor in how you sort for potential matches, it's like the first thing you see," Thomas said. "So, it makes sense when you think about how people navigate online spaces, and this is where the interface really matters."