Do you really know? How have dating apps broken into the friendship market?
Jan 23, 2025
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health has prompted a surge in the search for friendships. Dating apps are now being used as platforms for forming platonic connections. With increased conversations during lockdowns, the shift toward friendship apps reflects a changing social landscape. Discover how these apps work and the reasons behind their rise as essential tools for combating loneliness in today's digital world.
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Pandemic Loneliness & Friendship Apps
- Loneliness increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading people to seek more connections.
- This desire for connection facilitated the use of dating apps, but also expanded into the friendship market.
Examples of Friendship Apps
- Bumble, initially a dating app, launched BFF mode in 2016 for platonic female friendships.
- Meetup, created in 2002, allows users to connect based on shared interests and now has millions of users globally.
How Friendship Apps Work
- Friendship apps function similarly to dating apps, using a swipe-based system, but emphasize shared interests over physical appearance.
- Matching algorithms consider factors like location, education, and shared interests to connect compatible individuals.