My relationship with dating apps is a love/hate one. As a single Black woman in my thirties, dating isn't always easy. Not only do you have to navigate the nuances of online dating and weed out the crazies, but deciding where to start can be difficult. In the past few years, I've used every dating app imaginable. Some were good, others were so awful. I vowed never to touch another app again. My dating app sabbaticals never lasted long since I'm single and searching for a life partner online. Wouldn't it be great if there was a guide that told us what the best dating apps are so we could save both time and energy? This article was birthed from that exact thought.
This is your dating app guide for Black girls who’ve considered life as a spinster when online dating wasn’t enough. Hopefully reading this will save you time and hopefully money. Listed below are some of the best dating apps on the market that I have used over the years. From the quantity of the dating pool to whether it provides daily matches to whether it's a free app or a paid service, I took everything into account.
Please be advised that online dating still sucks and you still have to engage and create “interesting” profiles to increase engagement but, based on my own experiences with online dating as a Black woman, these apps are the most promising.
1. BLK
BLK is probably one of my favorite dating apps because it is for us by us. BLK is a dating app that was built after watching Black people being discriminated against on popular online dating sites. The app focuses on connecting people with similar cultural backgrounds to create a more intentional space for Black singles.
BLK is a free dating app for singles looking for long-term relationships. It is a great option for Black women who are interested in finding a mate that shares their values and interests. This site has an intelligent matching algorithm, which can help find your perfect match.
2. eHarmony
eHarmony is an online dating site that focuses on compatibility rather than simply swiping through profiles. It has become increasingly popular due to its quality-over-quantity approach. For singles looking for long-term relationships, eHarmony is a popular dating platform. You will take a "Compatibility Quiz" after you sign up to find out more about yourself. The quiz covers six sections and takes up to 20 minutes to complete.
The site's matchmaking algorithm uses your personality and values from the quiz to match you with potential partners. If you upgrade, you'll get a personalized profile review and relationship tips based on the quiz. You can also check who has viewed your profile.
3. Match
Match is the world’s largest dating site, with over 25 million users. Its goal is to help users find matches based on their criteria. It has a variety of search options and features, such as a "Discover" section, which helps users learn about others in their area. It also has a search option for "top picks," which are matches deemed highly compatible with your stated criteria by the algorithm.
Once you have an account on Match, you can create a profile and upload photos. It also has a chat feature that lets you interact with other users. You can even get a free trial of Match to see how the site works before you commit to a paid subscription. If you do decide to sign up for a premium membership, there are several different packages available to choose from.
4. Tinder
One of the most popular and widely-used dating apps is Tinder. It has millions of users worldwide and offers a simple yet effective way to meet people near you. You’ll need to create a profile, upload photos and start swiping right on profiles that interest you. If two people both swipe right on each other’s profiles, then they’ll match and be able to communicate with one another. This is a feature that I love because every match means mutual interest.
5. Bumble
Bumble is similar to Tinder in that it uses swiping technology but has a few key differences that make it unique. For starters, only women can initiate conversations on Bumble. This gives women more power and control over who they talk to and eliminates getting messages from men you are not the least bit interested in! Plus, Bumble also has added features like Bumble Boost which allow users to unlock additional features such as having their profile seen by more people or extending matches' time limits for an additional 24 hours.
6. Hinge
Hinge is another popular dating app geared towards meaningful relationships rather than casual encounters. The "dating app designed to be deleted" uses an algorithm tailored specifically towards making sure users don't just get random matches but ones that are actually compatible with them based on things like interests and values. Additionally, Hinge also offers helpful icebreakers that can help kick off conversations between potential matches as well as different ways of filtering searches so users can find more tailored results faster than ever before!
7. EliteSingles
EliteSingles is the most expensive app on the list but offers more bang for your buck. EliteSingles is a serious dating site that takes online dating seriously, and its user base consists of educated, committed singles who are looking for a long-term commitment. EliteSingles has an extensive personality test that helps members find compatible matches. The app’s 115-question questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete, and you can even pause the test at any point.
The app also has a daily suggested match feature that streamlines profiles into quick overviews to swipe through. Premium members can send messages and winks to matches, as well as like or comment on their photos. Another great feature is the “Have You Met?” feature, which matches singles based on a common interest. It’s similar to a carousel of Tinder-like matches, but it only lists singles who have shown interest in your profile.
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