U sing websites and apps to find a partner is becoming a centerpiece of dating for people in the technology age. Now many people are also using smartphone apps and other dating sites targeted toward a younger crowd who might just be looking for a date for the night instead of a long-term partner. OkCupid is a bit of a hybrid between your typical online dating site and a place for something more casual. You'll find people who are looking for a spouse, some who want casual sex and dating, polyamorous people, couples, etc.
The significant prevalence of these sites and apps shows a greater acceptance towards casual relationships, friends with benefits and sex just for the fun of it. Dating sites can be especially useful for people who have limited time or who don't desire to go out to bars to meet people. Hookup apps are useful because you can be out in a social setting and browse profiles from other people near you who are interested in what you might be offering.
Many people have profiles on multiples sites, which helps round out the experience. I spoke with several different people in Santa Fe who have tried online dating and apps, some more successfully than others. Celia Kessler, 24, has lived in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She has tried online dating in both. She met her boyfriend Steve on OkCupid, and they've been together for a little over a year and a half.
Then they matched me with Steve and we started talking, and we went out and that was it. Kessler says using dating sites in a small city is a mirror on what it's like to date the old-fashioned way in the same city.
But dating normally in a small town also feels like that. Depending on the site or app, users are asked to provide personal information. Tinder is simple because it's just a short paragraph and pictures. On other applications and site, you might spend more time filling out your profile and answering questions.
