You're Probably Making This Big Dating Mistake

Considering that many online dating platforms are based on the functionality of being able to sort potential dates by attributes — whether it's looks, hobbies, or a sense of humor — this study calls into question how useful it is to have your iPhone screen peppered with icons from Bumble, eHarmony, Match, or whatever algorithm you've been relying upon to find love. Spending hours swiping left, swiping right, carefully perusing dating profiles in search of someone who has a sense of humor, loves dogs, and collects vintage vinyl is the kind of "ordering from a menu" approach to dating that isn't very productive, observed study co-author and UC Davis psychology professor Paul Eastwick.

Instead of bumbling around online, you might find a better match by actually listening to those well-meaning friends who you've been brushing off for years and trying that age-old concept of the "blind date." Other dating and relationship experts have rallied behind this approach as well. "A friend setting you up means the guy is 'vetted' to some extent," Christie Hartman, behavioral scientist and dating expert, told Women's Health. "Your friend will know, at least at a basic level, that he's a good guy. She will know something about his dating history, about who he really is."