9 Social Media Sites to Use to Snag Yourself a Date

Looking to get a date without actually going out there and meeting people face to face? Here comes the power of social media sites to the rescue! By Bennett O'Brien

Though some romantic traditions remain popular today, the world of dating has largely changed. One of the greatest reasons for this change was the invention of social media. Social media provides singles with access to literally thousands of other singles with just a few clicks of a mouse.

This incredible phenomenon is currently shifting dating culture into a much more fast paced version of what it used to be.

In the past, a boy would call a girl on the phone and ask her out on a date. Aside from that, leaving a voice message on someone's answering machine can also qualify as asking someone out. Dates would also be planned at school or around town. Now, however, a lot of the dating propositions happen on social media. And the reason is because it is a heck of a lot faster. 

What social media sites are best of finding dates?

You probably already know about some of these sites. But for those who are completely clueless about the online dating world, here are the best sites you can visit to find your dream date.

#1 Tinder. Tinder is an app that enables users to view singles one at a time. Once the image of the person is on the screen, all the user has to do is simply swipe the image to one side or the other to decide if they accept or reject the person. Left is reject, right is accept. If the other person also swipes right on your image, then you can start a conversation with him or her.

The amazing thing about tinder is that it enables you to sift through tons of people at an incredible rate. Back in the day, you'd have to ask if the person you're into even lives in your state. But with Tinder, you can immediately know if the person you're eyeing lives within a five-mile radius of your house!

To snag a date on Tinder, all that you really have to do is sign up and start swiping. The dates can come fast and furiously after that. But be prepared for a lot of weird interactions as well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! 

#2 Facebook. Although Facebook is not specifically geared toward dating, it can be used to snag a date as well. For example, say you meet an attractive person in a bar and have a great conversation with him or her. When you go home, you can friend that person and get to know them a little better.

If things go well from them there, you can ask this person out. Soon you are meeting them in a coffee shop and voila, Facebook has just given you a date. Thank you Zuckerberg!

#3 Zoosk. Zoosk is another dating medium that can get you a date quickly. Zoosk is a dating site that also has an app, and is affiliated with Facebook. To get started on Zoosk, you just have to set up your profile and then you can start connecting with other singles. If things go well, you can progress from there. There is no telling where it could lead and you just may find the perfect person on Zoosk.

#4 Twitter. Twitter is not necessarily a dating medium, but it is possible to snag a date with just a couple of clever tweets. Twitter enables private messaging, and if you start a conversation with someone whom you are following, who knows what could happen.

The great thing about looking for a date on Twitter is that you can sift through a person's tweets to see if your personalities match. With just 140 characters per tweet, you can browse through a ton of their tweets in just an hour. And if you happen to share the same hashtags, it's a match made in tweet heaven right there!

#5 Okcupid. It may not be quite as fast as Tinder, but Okcupid is another dating app that can be used to quickly find a date for your Saturday night. Okcupid probably falls somewhere between Tinder and Match.com in terms of formality. People on Okcupid set up their profiles, and allow people to judge them on more than just their looks initially. There is also no swiping. You just message the person if you are interested.

#6 Grindr. Gindr is very similar to Tinder, except it is primarily used by homosexual, bisexual and bi-curious folks. However, in a similar way to Tinder, it allows users to judge potential dates or hook ups based on an extremely quick preliminary screening. All the user has to do is decide whether or not he or she likes the image in front of them and either accept it or reject it. If two people accept each other, they can begin communicating.

#7 MySpace. You may be wondering if MySpace is still relevant, but it still is, surprisingly. Although MySpace may not be as popular as Facebook these days, it can still be used to find a date. Once you connect with a new friend, you can flirt with them and talk to them via messaging. What's great about MySpace is that your profile can be completely customized to reflect your personality. One look at a person's profile and taste in music, and you can instantly decide if you'd hit it off in person.

#8 Match App. Although Match.com is a more formal option in the online dating world, it can still be used to snag a date. People who use Match.com or the Match.com app tend to be looking for a more serious relationship versus a casual hookup or one night stand.

However, if you are looking to find a potential spouse or long term partner, this may be the perfect medium for you to find a date on. They also have algorithms to help you get paired with people who are considered to be “compatible” with you. This may actually help you narrow your search.

#9 Blendr. Blendr is another mobile dating app that is similar to Tinder and Grindr. In a similar way to Tinder and Grindr, Blendr allows users to connect with other local singles. It does this by accessing location information through your Facebook account. Blendr is slightly more formal than Tinder and Grindr, and slightly less geared toward casual hookups. It still provides access to tons of local singles, though, and can help you get a date!

Instead of working up a sweat trying to come up with a cool pickup line to use on someone, you can just sit back in the comfort of your own home and swipe away at interested singles. However, it may also mean that people will become more impatient to find the right partner, considering they have sifted through hundreds of potential dates.

While these changes in dating have certainly made it easier to find and connect with other singles, some people question whether or not this will make long term relationships rarer. After all, if it is much easier to find a new boyfriend or girlfriend, then wouldn't you be more likely to dump the one you have if he or she isn't satisfying you?

Issues such as this are still being figured out in the ever changing world of social media and online dating. However, that doesn't change the fact that there are now more options than ever for finding a great date.

If you've been searching for people you can really hit it off with, you can just whip out your phone and start browsing. There are tons of social media sites and online dating apps that can help you finally find that perfect date. With just a few swipes, a quick conversation and a date all set up, you may just find yourself face to face with the partner you've been looking for all your life!