Online dating: 19 exciting facts about finding a partner on the internet
Do you know when the first online dating agency was founded, where the most attractive singles in Germany live, or which professions are most popular when it comes to online dating? We'll reveal these and many more online dating facts to you now:
1. The first online dating agency
Today, there are thousands of online dating agencies. In Germany alone, there are now over 3,000 different providers on the market. But the whole online dating boom started out very small, back in 1965 in New York. What is now a sophisticated algorithm was very simple back then: just like today, you first had to fill out a questionnaire on the computer. Based on 130 different criteria at the time, suitable suggestions were then selected from a file of 30,000 people looking for partners. These were then sent to the singles by postcard. Fortunately, it's easier today.
2. Spelling mistakes as a knockout criterion
Is spelling important when looking for a partner online? The clear answer is yes. Three out of four singles in Germany attach great importance to spelling when looking for a partner online. While minor typos are forgiven by most, many careless mistakes in both profiles and messages are an absolute knockout criterion for most. Incidentally, women pay even more attention to correct spelling than men. If you want to impress a woman when looking for a partner online, it's best to check your message twice before sending it.
3. One in three people search for love online
Given the high success rates, we are not surprised that online dating is becoming increasingly popular. In a recent Statista survey (2022), one in three people said they had used online dating at some point. Singles in the 30 to 49 age group do so most frequently (39%).
4. Love at first sight online too?
According to a Statista study, 70 percent of Germans believe in love at first sight. But how can love at first sight, or rather at first click, work online when you're not even face to face at that moment? It's simple: just like in real life, looking at a profile picture causes our brain to go through the same checklist as it would during a face-to-face meeting. Does the potential object of desire look healthy? Is the age right? If the general criteria are met, our gut feeling ultimately decides, both online and offline.
By the way: Love at first sight is even more likely online than offline. After all, you are directly suggested people who are compatible with you.
5. One, two, three... That's how quickly we decide on attractiveness
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that it takes only three seconds for us to decide whether we find a person attractive or not. Did you already know this interesting dating fact?
6. Shared values and worldviews are particularly important when choosing a partner
What do singles look for when searching for a new partner online? A survey of our LemonSwan members revealed that shared values and worldviews are most important to 74 percent of singles. But shared interests and a similar sense of humor are also very important to both male and female singles when looking for a partner online.
7. Three out of four already had a partnership on equal terms
Studies and statistics repeatedly show that men and women are still not equal in many areas of life.
This raises the question: What about equality in online dating? A representative survey of the population conducted by LemonSwan in collaboration with YouGov revealed that three out of four Germans had already been in an equal relationship. However, only 38 percent say that they are currently in such a relationship.
8. Do they all want the same thing? Not at all!
Most people only look for a short-term fling online—nothing serious? Quite the opposite. This fact about singles may surprise some, but a representative survey of singles in Germany revealed that most (39 percent) are looking for a long-term relationship. Almost as many (38 percent) want a partner to grow old with. Only 5 percent say they are looking for a short-term affair. Women are even less likely than men to be looking for a short-term affair.
9. Men or women, who searches for love online more often?
Most providers, especially the free ones, have a surplus of men. In 2019, 64 percent of Tinder users were male and only 36 percent were female. LemonSwan is one of the few reputable platforms where this is not the case. Here, the ratio of members is very balanced, with 56 percent women and 44 percent men.
10. Online dating as a single parent
Many singles with children feel that this puts them at a disadvantage when it comes to online dating. However, almost all of them (96 percent) would never consider hiding their child and not mentioning them in their profile. Fortunately, a survey of our LemonSwan members shows that this concern is unfounded. Only seven percent of single parents have experienced rejection when looking for a partner because of their child.
11. Hamburg is home to the most attractive singles – at least according to them
A Germany-wide comparison shows that most singles in Hamburg are confident and describe themselves as “very attractive” in their online profiles. According to the LemonSwan analysis, the most modest singles are found in Leipzig. One in four men from Leipzig describe themselves as “normal” when looking for a partner online, compared to 21 percent of women.
12. Women in Leipzig are most likely to make the first move
Even though Leipzig's singles tend to be rather modest when it comes to self-perception in their search for a partner, women there are more likely to take the initiative than the national average: in 41 percent of cases, they are the first to message a man on LemonSwan. Women in Dortmund, on the other hand, are the most reserved. Only the 31 to 40 age group stands out in Dortmund. They write to their counterpart first in a full 65 percent of initial contacts.
13. How can you score points when looking for a partner online?
First impressions count: 63 percent value an appealing profile or good looks in the profile photo. Shared interests (60 percent) and a friendly welcome message (54 percent) are almost as important. Similar leisure activities or hobbies are considered positive by 42 percent. Social and financial status, on the other hand, is rather unimportant to most: only one-tenth value it.
14. How to get 70 percent more messages
Want to increase your chances of being contacted? Then invest in your online profile. People with a fully completed profile receive up to 70 percent more messages on LemonSwan on average.
15. Attractive professions: Doctors are the most popular
Your job is always a great topic for small talk or an icebreaker in your first message. As a doctor, you can score extra points here, as this is the most attractive profession for both male and female singles. This is closely followed by craftsmen and craftswomen. In third place for women is police officer and for men, managing director. Bankers, flight attendants, and lawyers are also popular among men. Psychologists, journalists, and police officers are also highly regarded among women.
16. What men find most attractive in profile pictures
A profile picture is an essential part of online dating and is very important for making a good first impression. You're probably wondering: what do men find particularly appealing? A study investigated exactly that and came to the following conclusion:
When the hair is tied back slightly or pinned back.
When the face is tilted slightly to the side. This makes a woman appear particularly likeable and much more natural to men.
When you smile.
17. 25 percent don't make it past the LemonSwan bouncers
More and more women feel harassed by crude advances or dirty pictures when online dating. Such experiences should not and must not happen. Especially not when searching for true love! LemonSwan is the dating agency where there are no nasty surprises. We only accept serious members who share our standards of respectful interaction.
Our gatekeepers play a special role in this. They check each profile individually and ensure that it meets our demanding criteria.
18. Matchmaking, singles sites, and casual dating—40 percent don't know the differences
In Germany alone, there are countless different platforms for finding love online. However, most people are unaware that there are significant differences between providers and that casual dating is very different from online matchmaking. No one is looking for a serious relationship on casual dating apps. For many, fun and sex are the main focus here. Dating sites, on the other hand, are mainly about flirting. You also have to search for yourself, as you won't receive any partner suggestions. Online dating agencies such as LemonSwan are suitable for singles who are interested in a long-term relationship. They usually charge a fee, but they also offer a personality test and partner suggestions based on the results. Only one in five people are really aware of this difference. The majority (40 percent) think that these three terms refer to the same thing.
19. Security and reliability are most important when looking for a partner online
Our last exciting online dating fact: In a representative survey, we asked single men and women what they consider most important when using an online dating service. For most (38 percent), security, data protection, and reliability are the top priorities. This is closely followed by the desire for the reliability of profiles on the platform to be regularly checked (36 percent). In third place, singles voted that the platform should only feature singles who are looking for a serious, long-term relationship. Would you have answered the question in exactly the same way?
