Finding love online can be pretty hard.

Online dating is a challenge for everyone. A lot of pressure comes with keeping up a conversation with someone you don’t know anything about (other than the fact that they are hot) — if you even had the patience to swipe or scroll enough to find someone worth chatting with, that is.

Why is online dating so hard?

One aspect of online dating dynamics poses a challenge for both men and women, but from different angles: If it’s a lady you’re pursuing, chances are she’s received more than a few unsolicited messages already. For women, maneuvering around creeps is often more work than it’s worth. For men, the responsibility to not be one of those guys can add a heightened intimidation factor.

Don’t be a creep

The internet is plagued with tales of nasty messages and whack opening lines from men. Avoiding the creep factor with someone you just matched with shouldn’t be hard — simply don’t be pushy about sexting, getting their number, or meeting up, and definitely don’t harass someone about not wanting to hang out during a pandemic. (Just don’t be pushy about anything, really. It’s as simple as that.) As for devising an opener that will grow into a nice conversation, the harmless intent to be funny or flattering can go south quickly. Choosing the right dating app can make all the difference for men who are a little rusty or generally shy about messaging first. Bumble, the app where only women can make the first move, is an obvious safe choice for the latter.



For men who need a point in the right direction when it comes to conversation starters, dating sites with user profiles more extensive than a rushed Tinder bio could make a world of difference. The ability to see someone’s hobbies, favorite movies, career goals, or even political views before even talking to them opens up a wealth of clever ice breakers. Bonding over how you both thought Solo: A Star Wars Story was actually good, is one million times better than telling a woman that you “think you saw them somewhere.” (That is not endearing. Never do that.)

Be honest about what you want

Tinder can be the right app for some singles. But if you find yourself constantly deleting it and re-downloading Tinder every other month despite the fact that you hate the app, a different site might make better use of your time. What is it that’s not working about your current dating site of choice? Is it too entrenched in hookup culture? Is it not focused on hookups enough? Do you find yourself getting intentions mixed up with people who aren’t looking for the same thing? Each dating site serves a different purpose, and things are a lot easier when you’re mingling with people who want what you want.

What are the best dating sites for men?

Here are the best dating sites and apps for single men looking for a date, a movie buddy, a friend with benefits, or even love and commitment.

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