In the United States and many other countries, online dating apps have become one of the most common ways for individuals to meet romantic and sexual partners; some estimates suggest that as of 2023, 20% of adults under 30 met their partner online (Vogels, Emily A., and Colleen McClain. “Key Findings About Online Dating in the U. S.” Pew Research Center, 2 Feb. 2023). Match.com was launched in 1995 and immediately led to curiosity about a new way to form romantic connections, as well as fears and skepticism that these new technologies could be dangerous, especially for women. Other popular and widely used apps followed in subsequent decades, coinciding with the rise of social media such as Facebook. Some popular dating apps include Tinder (launched in 2012), Hinge (launched in 2012), and Bumble (launched in 2014). Specialized apps have also developed for the LGTBQ+ community and for members of specific faith communities.

Some apps such as Ashley Madison (catering to individuals seeking discreet extramarital affairs) and Seeking Arrangement (a platform for “sugar baby”-style arrangements in which one partner financially supports the other) exist explicitly to facilitate non-normative and sometimes controversial relationship structures. Online dating apps have been criticized for exposing users to fake or misleading profiles, facilitating unwelcome sexual advances, and potentially even exposing users to violence.