Is Instagram becoming the new Tinder?

• Even though dating apps are still massively used, and remain the number 1 way to meet people, Tinder downloads have dropped by 5% in 2021.

• And for good reason, generation Z, that is to say those born between 1997 and 2010, turns more to social networks than dating applications to find love.

• Meetings from his circle of acquaintances, fewer fake profiles, more natural exchanges… For flirting, Instagram is the favorite among young people.

As much to be honest right away, the author of this paper is a regular user of Tinder.

But between the crappy dates, the discussions that never succeed or the suitors who don't look anything like their photos, we really don't know why we continue to fight with this dating application.

And obviously, young people don't make the same mistake as us.

Because generation Z, that is to say those born between 1997 and 2010, relies more on social networks than on dating sites to find shoes that fit.

And Instagram itself says so.

In a report on upcoming trends, published in December, the social network claims that "Gen Z plans to use platforms like IG for dating and hookups" in 2023. Worse still, the firm estimates that "the Gone are the days of endlessly swiping on dating apps.

Will Instagram soon replace Tinder in the match race?

At

, as boomers who always like to raise real issues, we wanted to find the answer to this question.

Less pressure, more confidence

Even though dating apps remain the number one way to start relationships, they have lost some of their luster in recent years.

Like the

, Tinder, which saw its downloads drop by 5% in 2021. Because it is enough to question a dozen users (in this case, the author herself and her friends ) to understand that finding an ideal match is as rare as a politician with a clean criminal record.

“Everyone knows someone who has had bad experiences on Tinder.

Inevitably, he has a huge mistrust now on this application, ”explains Florence Escaravage, founder of the company Love Intelligence, specialist in love advice and relationship coach training.

And for good reason, on Tinder, rare are those who are the same on their profile as IRL - singles who are not really singles, "non-contractual" photos, profiles presented much more than to their advantage.

If there are also some on Instagram, the risk of "catfishing" is still lower.

"From the moment a profile has several photos, that it is regularly updated, a priori, it is not fake", continues Thu Trinh-Bouvier, expert in digital strategy.

"Between the publications and the stories, we can have a more precise vision of the daily life of the person opposite", adds the expert.

Especially since unlike Tinder where we exchange with complete strangers, on Instagram, our flirts are often acquaintances or friends of friends.

A big difference for Thu Trinh-Bouvier:

On Insta, the codes of “real life”

But what above all makes Instagram a good dating application is precisely that it is not one, decrypts Thu Trinh-Bouvier: “Unlike Tinder, where the type of relationship you want to have is clearly identified, on Instagram, we do not label.

We do not immediately define the relationship that is being created, there is less pressure.

Because we're not going to lie to each other, successfully starting a conversation on Tinder is even harder than getting a raise at your annual interview.

Difficult to always be funny, original or to make a difference.

We do not recommend the joke "we could have met at the Monoprix, but it wouldn't have a supermarket" to start the conversation, it didn't really work for the author.

And if by chance,

But on Instagram, flirting takes up the codes of “real life”, according to Florence Escaravage: “It's a imitation dating site.

We turn around, we rediscover the slowness, the latency times and a consistency in the exchanges, it is more natural, less direct”, she analyzes, adding: “It recreates a form of mystery, of waiting , and even sometimes a lack if we started to discuss ".

Because even for those who favor Tinder for dating, Instagram is never far away.

“There is a bridge between the two applications.

On Tinder, you can synchronize your Insta account, ”recalls the boss of Love Intelligence.

And the links don't stop there.

The proof is, when it matches, the first reflex is to exchange your Insta (word of experience).

“Besides, young people who meet in bars are almost more likely to exchange their Instagram accounts than their phone numbers.

We bring the other into his personal universe,” says Thu Trinh-Bouvier.

Follow back, like and flame emoji

More than content, Instagram has it all figured out.

Unlike Tinder, there are many ways to engage in conversation on the social network.

And we could even make a slogan out of it: “At each level of interaction its functionality”.

Short contact course with his crush on Instagram for the uninitiated.

First, there is the

and the

that is to say the fact of following the account of the chosen one of your heart and that this last follows you in return.

And of course, the faster the

, the more likely that person is to be contacted by you.

Next come the

.

Obviously, they don't all mean the same thing (yes, we know, it's not always easy to decipher the message).

There's the one in your last photo, a good step for sure, but your brother could do the same.

Or the one in a photo you posted several months ago.

And there, it's all good: it means that your crush has brought up all the publications on your profile.

A good way to make a first approach and break the ice.

But, it is with the reactions to the stories that Instagram has hit hard.

In addition to the

, the social network now allows you to send an emoji.

You post a photo of yourself and you receive the flame or heart emoji of your crush?

It's not too risky to claim that he/she is flirting with you.

Well, it's not always so pleasant to receive, we're not going to lie to you.

Like the flame received at three o'clock in the morning by this former date who ghosted you and who hopes to put the cover back on after a year of silence.

For those who haven't understood – and Facebook boomers – the flame emoji is a bit like Insta's poke 2.0.

Last clue, and not least, the

.

Once again, let's be honest: anyone who has never looked at the list of those who have seen the

hoping to see the name of their crush speaks out.

Because, according to a legend that has never been confirmed by the highest authorities of Instagram, the names at the top of this list would be those who watch your stories most often (we want to believe it).

Suffice to say that seeing the first name of our crush, our little heart is agitated.

There remain the DMs - the private messages -, a last step which takes you (normally) to a higher level of intimacy.

Come on, we wish you all a happy new year, but above all, may it be filled with dates and, who knows, love.

high tech

Tinder now allows you to clearly display your intentions

By the Web

Tinder: The app launches “useful screenshots” against gender-based and sexual violence

• By the Web

• Tinder

• instagram

• Application

• Social networks

• Love

• Meeting sites

• Youth