In the age of internet and social media, online dating has been so prevalent. With more of the millennials resorting to dating applications for finding a suitable match, many varieties of such applications are developed. Meeting someone online, striking a conversation and falling in love is not something so rare anymore. There have been applications designed on the basis of interests and several other preferences. The youngsters today are hooked continuously on their social media profiles, which is why it seems that even Facebook has joined in to give the dating feature. Mark Zuckerberg announced of introducing a new dating feature which will enable users to explore the possibility of finding a partner.

With the new feature, users will have to create a new dating profile, different from the regular Facebook profile. The people will get recommendations based on their profile and match with potential love interests. But in the highlight of the recent controversy regarding the Cambridge Analytica Scandal, we are not sure how secure the dating option would be. Facebook already keeps a tab on what all information you are sharing with the world, along with your personal details. When one creates a different profile for dating, we hope it would be more secure. One should be careful about the information you out. While the Facebook dating feature will be rolled out at the end of the year, there are several other dating applications which you can resort to using. Check how Facebook Dating Feature will work.

Let us look at some of the match-making applications which you can try out and see if you find yourself a match:

  1. Tinder: Tinder is the common dating application you'd think of when you are looking for online dating. But Tinder may not necessarily be positioned as an application for seeking matrimony. Bu, the idea of just swiping across the profile you like and begin talking, is welcomed by the youngsters well. You have the choice based on age, looks and also distance. The application is more in lines with a social media platform with an option of super-like, mutual friends etc.

  2. Truly Madly: Truly Madly is a 'made in India' dating application. It served a tough competition to Tinder for a while. In this, other than age and distance, one can choose a partner based on interests and other similar preferences. This application has better privacy options if you are worried about misuse. Plus it also works on friends recommendations’ of your profile. You can ask your friends to endorse you, so you earn a better score. There is also an option to play certain games, which let you know about the other person’s choices.

  3. Hinge: Hinge is an application that does not let you find any random people. It is necessary for you to have some mutual friends on Facebook. So one must have common Facebook friends to be introduced to each other. Although everyone may not openly welcome this feature, the makers wanted to restrict it to reliable ones than randomly adding people. It aims at finding meaningful matches than just casual dating.

  4. Woo: This dating application gives more emphasis on a person's educational background. It goes a little ahead when it comes to active engagement between the two people. It provides the features of Voice Intro, Tag Search, Question Cast and Direct Messaging. There is a facility to search by interests or just single tag.

  5. Bumble: Bumble is an application wherein the girls have the upper hand. The primary interface is very much like Tinder, wherein the user has to swipe for a match. The girl must initiate the conversation within 24 hours, and if not done, then the match disappears. You cannot even search it again. So not only is it time-based but emphasises on your conversational skills. So girls can take advantage of this facility and no more flinch about saying the ‘hello’ first.

    Besides these, there are many other applications which have been introduced. And with Facebook dating coming by the end of 2018, we wonder how the other apps will fare. Have you tried any of the online dating applications? Do let us know your experience.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2018 11:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).