Wingman Dating App Sees a 350% Surge in Usage During the Pandemic

The Short Version: Wingman is a fun dating app that allows singles to invite their friends and family members to write testimonials, find matches, and make connections on their behalf. The app fosters an engaging space where shy daters can get a morale boost from their closest friends, and people in relationships can put their matchmaking skills to the test. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Wingman has seen a 350% increase in online activity as more people have embraced virtual dating from home.

The Beatles sang “I get by with a little help from my friends” in 1967, and those lyrics remain true for many singles to this day. Whether they’re giving advice, providing emotional support, or just laughing together, friends can make a world of difference in how a person tackles life’s challenges — especially during a pandemic.

Wingman has transformed online dating into a collective experience.

In 2020, social distancing guidelines changed the way people connect with one another and increased demand for nontraditional social and dating activities online. Wingman has risen to meet this challenge with its community-driven swiping and matchmaking tools.

Wingman is a unique dating app that encourages friends and family members to get involved in the online dating process and help their loved ones make smart matches.

A new Wingman user can sign up as a single person seeking dates for themselves or as a wingman seeking dates for a friend. A wingman can scout the online dating terrain and brag on their friend to potential matches.

Wingman ensures that online daters don’t have to tackle the swiping scene alone, and that has been powerful draw during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many singles are stuck at home.

By combining social networking with online dating, Wingman has empowered singles and their loved ones to strengthen their personal connections and have more fun while swiping.

“We were thrilled to learn that locking down has not dampened spirits when it comes to finding love,” Wingman Founder Tina Wilson said. “We’ve seen a 350% increase in usage since the start of COVID-19. This speaks to more than just dating, but also people wanting to stay connected and help those they care about during uncertain times.”

Wingman recently conducted a user survey to get insights into how the COVID-19 pandemic was impacting online dating attitudes and habits. Its findings showed singles are more interested in taking their time getting to know someone and less interested in meeting a stranger for sex.

A solid 81% of Wingman users reported they would unmatch with someone for suggesting coming over to their home.

“Hookup culture is dead,” Tina declared. “Singles are seeking quality over quantity, and they want a more serious connection.”

The average single on Wingman is spending about 11 times as long matching and messaging online as they did before.

Wingman encourages daters to get serious about finding a match in a network of vetted profiles.

A majority of online daters in Wingman’s survey reported they are making a bigger effort to screen their potential dates before meeting in person. About 2 out of 3 respondents said they would prefer to go on at least three virtual dates before arranging an IRL date.

Wingman recommends taking a virtual tour of a museum, participating in a virtual cooking class, or attending an online event to turn a video date into more of an experience. Such activities are great icebreakers and can help daters maintain an active social life from home.

Social distancing guidelines have influenced how singles meet new people and plan their first date. In the past, coffee shops and bars were among the most popular first date locales, but Wingman’s survey found online daters now favor public parks and other outdoor settings when meeting an online crush.

“Make sure you’re on the same page on what a date looks like in terms of mask-wearing and social distancing,” Tina advised. “It’s important you’re both comfortable and agree on etiquette.”

Wingman has turned online dating into a group effort, so singles can include their friends in every part of their journey from creating a dating profile to making a match. The app offers the online equivalent of a night out with friends — you can scout date prospects for each other and provide introductions to cuties who make the cut.

Many BFFs have downloaded Wingman as a show of solidarity, and their combined efforts have brought more excitement to the modern dating scene, particularly during the last year.

Multiple people can work together to perfect a person’s Wingman dating profile.

“Both COVID-19 and swiping can be isolating,” Tina said. “Wingman makes it a group effort with friends and family enhancing the experience.”

Wingman has seen online engagement quadruple for both singles and wingmen. The app attributes this spike to people having more time at home to swipe on dates and reach out to their single friends with match recommendations.

The app has seen matchmakers of all types getting more involved in their loved one’s dating life. Everyone from childhood friends to parents and grandparents can join the swiping scene and provide valuable recommendations with each swipe. Wingman can bring a variety of perspectives and life experiences to the table, and that can lead to matches that would not happen otherwise.

One user recently reached out to Wingman to say her latest first date started with a match suggested by her 9-year-old niece.

Singles seem to be more diligent about reaching out and asking for help from friends and family during this time. According to Wingman’s internal data, singles are now sending about three times as many wingman invitations as they were before the pandemic.

“We’ve recently seen a young woman with 22 wingmen and wingwomen,” Tina said. “That’s a great example of people finding ways to stay in touch, despite distance.”

Wingman has expanded the online dating community to include people who want to play Cupid for their loved ones and help lay the groundwork for lasting relationships. Wingman has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to its unique premise and fun wingman tools.

Thanks to Wingman, singles can ask their favorite confidantes for help if they’re not sure what to say in a dating profile or if they want a second opinion on a new date prospect. The app’s matchmaking features create a strong support system for online dating and reduce the work a single person has to put into finding a match.

It’s not just about being a matchmaker — loved ones can also act as hype men on the online dating app.

Wingman users can brag on friends and family members to boost their dating prospects.

Wingman empowers friends and family members to write testimonials that get to the heart of a person’s most attractive and admirable qualities. These dating profile descriptions carry a lot of weight with online daters.

“Sarah is looking for someone who can keep up with her Netflix party commentary,” said Sarah’s wingman in her profile. “I cannot believe she is actually single as she is a 10.”

“Matt is the one guy you’d want to isolate with,” said a friend on another Wingman profile. “I think he has terrible taste in girls, so I am here to do it for him!”

Sometimes a wingman can provide heartfelt insights into another person, and sometimes they can help break the ice with a few jokes or witty commentary. These testimonials serve to build trust among online daters and provide a different point of view on a person’s character.

“Even though he’s very easy on the eye, don’t judge him for being pretty,” George’s wingman advised single women on the dating app. “He travels extensively, cooks really well, and only drinks the good stuff. He’s def NOT boring and NOT an asshole.”

“Leave him with your nan, and they’ll be best mates or your money back,” Callum’s wingman wrote.

Wingman has ensured singles don’t need to be sad because they’re on their own — they can get by in the online dating scene with a little help from friends and family members. Wingman has inspired a new generation of digital matchmakers to lend support where it’s needed most.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in online dating as people look for ways to create meaningful connections in a safe way. Wingman is at the forefront of the movement to change the message of online dating from “you’re on your own” to “we’re in this together.” This groundbreaking dating app has united people in an effort to end social isolation and make online dating a more engaging shared experience.

“We’re excited to continue to grow and support our user base, many of whom reject traditional online dating,” Tina said. “As we move into an ever-changing new normal, one thing that’s apparent is people are being more careful with their dating decisions, and we’re happy singles can find comfort and trust in Wingman.”