Hookup Apps and sites compared 2025 and 2020?

[exy32]

A few days ago I was discussing with a friend why it is much harder to find a hookup or date using online apps or sites than just 3-4 years ago.


My idea is simple: I am getting older. No matter I good look, have some other preferences and so on. Friend told me to read post about online dating reset,


In some moment it makes sense that hookup or date online game is changed in past years: sites and apps works worst than ever. You need to pay various credits and subscriptions, still with minimal chances to meet someone. Also, my impression is that most apps/sites have no goal to find person for you. I think they just want you to stay as much as they want so you can pay for subscriptions again and again.


So we would close that discussion if he didn't asked me do I see same change in my real life? That was interesting because in real life, in my ages I have better results than ever. Probably it comes with confidence, probably it comes with expirience.


I am confused, did hookup online and date omline culture is changed so chances for males are lower than ever? Or this is just my expiriece?


If you have, Experiences, opinions, "theories" about this?

[Chonk]

In my own wrong opinion, I think the pandemic had a huge role as to why it may have been easier. Masks hid a portion of our identity and could have made it more comfortable to hook up with strangers. Not being able to freely see the people we want may have flipped the horny switch easier, so we took anything at face value to get laid. Now that the pandemic is over, most, not all, have gone back to having their own set standards in who they hook up with.

Fast forward to 2025 and soon to be 2026. I've looked at lots of ads and they seem to all have similarities. Fit, hung, top, bottom, send pic and stats first, can't host, can't travel... One thing I've noticed that's missing from a lot of ads is "Outgoing, great personality, loves meeting for coffee, let's get together and shoot the shit". Apps have almost completely changed the way we interact with each other. It's instant gratification before they even leave the front door. It's also expensive to send a message and get no response. If i were to get stood up at the coffee shop, at least I would have enjoyed a sandwich and a chai latte.

As I put more candles on the birthday cake, I've become more comfortable with my changing body. I'm not fit (even though I miss my 20yo self), I'm not hung, can be versatile and will reciprocate for the right person. I would love to meet a female who is understanding of my sexual orientation. I would like to meet other guys that would be willing to be great friends and share some bromance. Personality has to come first and I don't foresee that changing any time soon on dating/hookup apps BUT you never know.