What dating apps are really optimizing. Hint: it isn’t love

Valentine’s Day Spike: In the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day, dating apps see a notable increase in new users, profiles created, messages exchanged, and swipes logged.
Paradox of Loneliness: Despite being marketed as solutions to loneliness, many people feel even lonelier on these platforms due to the app’s design and economic motivations.
Commodification of Relationships: Online dating encourages a disposable culture and erodes meaningful interactions by treating social bonds as commodities.
Profit-Driven Design: Platforms like Tinder are designed to keep users engaged indefinitely for profit, employing strategies that mimic gambling to create addictive user habits.
Manipulation of Expectations: Apps promote a mindset of continuous improvement and optimization, shifting the focus from mutual care to individual success and superficial standards.
Declining Paid Users: Match Group reports a decrease in users paying for their services, prompting the development of new tools to boost user engagement and convert free users to paid ones.
Rejection Mindset: With more options presented, users tend to develop a rejection mindset, becoming more cynical and less open to romantic prospects.
Increased Loneliness: Reliance on dating apps to combat loneliness ultimately weakens social bonds and fosters isolation instead of connection.