9 Online Dating Success Stories That Show Swiping Works

Finding love today is different from when our parents were courting one another. From the comfort of their homes, singles can talk, mingle, and date through online dating from the comfort of their homes. 

Online dating’s popularity has skyrocketed during the last two decades. The Knot’s annual survey of newlyweds has consistently found online dating to be the number one way people meet their partners nowadays. 

A study from Forbes found that approximately 70% of people have been in an exclusive romance with someone they met online. By expanding access to the dating pool, online dating provides a unique opportunity for everyday people to find that special someone. 

This article will explore some of the real-life success stories behind online dating, showcasing the diversity of experiences and relationships formed.

With thousands of dating apps available, deciding which one to join can be pretty intense. The first step is to read reviews and learn what worked for other singles.

Don’t give up if you try a popular dating app and it’s not your vibe. Plenty of alternatives are available.

1. Match Success Story: Jen & Michael

Match is the OG of online dating apps. It’s been around since 1995 and has helped millions of singles find their perfect match. 

The Match Group aims to help people find potential matches for a loving, healthy relationship. The team receives hundreds of success stories from couples every month. 

Match couple Jen and Michael took a chance on online dating and fell in love. Despite the challenges they were facing at the time (Jen was a widow, and Michael was dealing with a divorce), the two found comfort and true joy in one another. 

In late March 2020, Jen and Michael decided to take things further and meet in person. Their relationship blossomed after a nice glass of wine in Jen’s backyard. The couple married in October 2020. 

“Our first date went very well, and so we did the same thing again the next night, then a mountain bike ride and lunch the following day, a boat ride the day after,” said Jen. “Since then, we have only been apart for a few days at most. We clicked on a level that I had not thought possible.”

2. eharmony Success Story: Kirsten & Dominick

For those looking for a serious relationship, eharmony specializes in helping singles find that special someone. For more than 20 years, eharmony has helped more than 2 million Americans find love. The team shared that, according to their user data records, someone makes a match on the app every 14 minutes.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people started using online dating to stay connected to the outside world. eharmony couple Kirsten and Dominick were lucky enough to find each other during such an isolated time. 

“After a couple of weeks of chatting by text and video calls — in proper Covid fashion — they were both eager to meet in person. They met as soon as the lockdown ended, in the middle of 2020,” shared the eharmony team. 

3. Tinder Success Story: Elliiot & Kenny

Not everyone wants to settle down and get engaged right away — and that’s OK! Tinder is a popular dating app known for its hookup culture and chill dating environment. 

Tinder is an excellent app for casual daters who want to try online dating without being too serious. 

Even though he joined just to have some fun and be around good vibes, Tinder user Elliot shared how his Tinder experience led to something genuinely unexpected. 

“I honestly had been on many Tinder dates and was absolutely sure I was meeting a fling to get a free meal and have some fun,” said Elliot in a Tinder review. “Three years and so many dates and memories later, I am married to my Tinder guy, Kenny!”

By swiping on Tinder, singles can create new friendships and relationships. Despite being known as a hookup app, Tinder is full of surprises. However, one thing remains true: singles can come as themselves without expectations, making online dating more favorable. 

4. Hinge Success Story: Courtney & Lee

Hinge is the dating app that was designed to be deleted. This is more than just a catchy phrase — it’s a true testament to what Hinge is all about. 

Since it launched in 2012, singles continue to testify how the app helped them go on their last first date. 

Blogger Courtney Voegele shared her beautiful Hinge success story about how she met and got engaged to her now-husband, Lee. After her big move to Washington, D.C., Courtney figured it was time to get back out into the dating scene and meet people, so she gave Hinge a try. 

Courtney showed interest in Lee and discovered they were a match both online and in person.

“We later found out that after our first date, we had both canceled any other dates we had set up because we liked each other so much — and the rest is history!” said Courtney. 

5. Bumble Success Story: Hannah & Ashlyn

Bumble is an app that offers more ways than one to find relationships. Singles can use Bumble to find romance, friendships, and career opportunities. This is great, considering it’s not often that you see a platform creating many avenues to meet people. 

Bumble user Hannah met both her husband and her bridesmaid on the app in 2019.

Both Hannah and Ashlyn were in serious relationships and wanted to use Bumble BFF to meet new friends in the area. They eventually swiped right on each other and had a conversation that led them to hang out IRL.

The two are really close friends. You would have thought they had known each other since they were in diapers. 

“Whenever I’d tell people we met on Bumble, people would think I was kidding!” says Ashlyn. “We’re such natural friends. But, yeah, we met on an app!”

Thanks to advanced technology, singles no longer have to settle for bars or clubs to meet people. Dating in the digital age has paved the way for singles to experience dating in a new and refreshing way. 

6. International Success Story: Long-Distance Love

International dating was out of the question before online dating. Pen pals were a thing, but it wasn’t until online dating grew popular that more people took an interest in international dating.

One happy couple who met on InternationalCupid shared how their online dating experience allowed them to communicate and form a long-distance relationship. 

“We talked all day, every day  —  sharing stories, talking about our days  —  and we started to fall in love,” the couple said. “Our connection was so strong it was as though we’d known each other for years. Every day felt like a new date with my Valentine! InternationalCupid is the best; if not for you, I wouldn’t have found my soulmate.”

7. Christian Success Story: Lynn & Allen

For Match couple Lynn and Allen, online dating wasn’t exactly their go-to option to meet people. But after three weeks of trying it, they soon discovered that it was well worth it.

In Lynn and Allen’s case, Match’s compatibility algorithm led them to one another. Religion is an important factor for them both, and Match allowed them to express that from the beginning. 

“We would both definitely recommend Match.com to other Christian singles. I explained how important Christ and the church were to me on my profile and asked any man I was going to meet where they went to church and to share with me the importance of the church to them, etc.,” said Lynn.

Lynn and Allen met in 2013 and got married that same year. 

8. Senior Success Story: Sandy & John

People often associate online dating with the younger generation, but older singles have plenty of opportunities to find love online. Whether a widow or divorcee, older singles face different challenges when dating — and online dating can transform older people’s dating lives.

OurTime is a senior dating site that promises “it’s never too late for love.” In her 50s, Sandy used OurTime to meet people and start fresh in the dating world. She noticed John’s profile mentioned he was a cat person, and he seemed like an intelligent man, so she decided to contact him.

“We are about to discuss Vietnam and Bali for my 60th in March,” she shared in her testimonial. “Our relationship is easy, natural — we both feel it has potential to last and are both excited at the prospect.”

9. Interracial Love Story: Abby & Tyrell

It’s been said online dating makes the world more diverse –– and I agree! Among others, Abby and Tyrell met on Interracial Dating Central and found true love. Abby shared that after four months of being off and on the app, Tyrell slid into her DMs — and the rest was history. 

“She had very nice pictures on her profile. I was very intrigued, and once I got a response from her and found out that not only was she gorgeous but a jock as well, I was hooked instantly,” said Tyrell. 

With Abby being a Caucasian woman from England and Tyrell a Black man from America, the two had to leap some hurdles. Namely, they had to deal with Abby’s immigration status. 

Fortunately, the two love birds weren’t deterred from starting a family, and Abby got pregnant within the first month of dating. They are currently married. 

“So we moved rather quickly by today’s standards. Don’t get us wrong, we planned it, and we were overjoyed. But the proposal was more like a decision that we made to get married and start our future together for the sake of the baby. It was the best decision, and it turned out great!” said Abby and Tyrell. 

Online dating can feel like a lonely journey sometimes, but you’re not alone in pursuing love. Many people are out there being vulnerable, making mistakes, and doing their best. And you can learn from their success. Here are some dating tips to keep in mind.

Persistent Daters Win Out

Dating requires persistence –– especially during the hard times. The truth is that dating can suck sometimes, and you can go through multiple failed dates before you meet your special someone. It’s during these moments you have to remain persistent and hopeful. 

Finding a good balance between taking breaks and putting in maximum effort to find a date is key to avoiding burnout. 

Sometimes People Surprise You

It is always best to approach dating with an open mind. By doing so, you broaden your options and allow genuine connections to form rather than looking for an imagined perfect person. 

People can surprise you and bring something to the table that you never thought you needed. 

Being Authentic Is Better in the Long Run

Trying to put up a facade in front of potential dates will only hurt you in the long run. You want someone to get to know and fall in love with the real you, so it’s best to be your authentic self. This includes honesty with profile pictures, online bio, and date conversations.

Look for Inner Compatibility 

My grandma often said someone’s inner qualities matter most. It took me a while to understand what she meant by that because my eyes told me otherwise. In reality, I had to learn that finding inner compatibility is key to a healthy and fulfilling relationship. 

Compatibility is necessary for a relationship to last. Pay attention to how someone makes you feel and what you have in common. Your bond is what truly matters – after all, you don’t want to be stuck with a bozo who you don’t enjoy being around. 

Be Clear About Your Intentions and Goals 

No one likes wasting their time –– especially when it comes to dating! You can spend years with someone who isn’t on the same page as you and end up with nothing to show for it. That’s why relationship counselors encourage singles to be clear about their intentions and weed out incompatible partners before making a serious commitment. 

Join Multiple Apps to Up your Chances

There’s no online dating rulebook that states you can only use one online dating app at a time. Singles should take advantage of their resources and explore different dating apps. This will likely expedite the process of meeting people and increase the chances of finding a perfect match. 

With an open mind and determination, you, too, can find your happily ever after in the online dating scene. 

If you are struggling in the love department, maybe it’s time to try the online dating world. These success stories are just a friendly reminder that the possibilities to make meaningful connections in the digital age are endless.