Swipe Right into Virtual Romance: VR Dating Takes Center Stage

Online dating enters a new era with virtual reality. Imagine meeting someone from across the globe in a virtual Parisian café or strolling through a digital park. This seems to be the nearest future! With customizable avatars, VR not only expands the dating pool, but also fosters authenticity and openness in online connections.

Last Dating Trends

Gartner, listed the metaverse among the top five impactful and emerging trends. Everything from gaming to live entertainment, and even dating, will undergo transformation in this new realm. 

Social Discovery Group, the company behind over 70 other online dating and social discovery apps - predicts that VR will make our dating lives different and create a better sense of connection and enjoyment. A recent company survey reveals that 46% of Gen Zers utilize VR video capabilities in apps. In fact, 76% of singles who choose not to meet their matches in person report that VR features alone have alleviated feelings of isolation.

VR dating helps individuals feel as though they're genuinely meeting each other in person. SDG anticipates that digital intimacy will shape the future of relationships. For example, let’s consider Generation Z – technology-adept, globally aware, and socially engaged, nurtured in the age of widespread internet and social media. Gen Z actively seeks platonic connections through online platforms. While 46% of Gen Z individuals use apps to combat loneliness, only 15% of millennials and 9% of Gen X do so. 

New VR Features on Dating Platforms

Gartner identifies six trends, including virtual worlds and shared experiences, as driving the utilization of metaverse technologies presently and in the next three years. Gartner describes the metaverse as "the next level of interaction in both the virtual and physical realms."

For instance, Dating.com, a part of the Social Discovery Group, introduced a new VR function to facilitate seamless online connections. Users can now engage in 360° VR video chats with other members, offering a superior communication level.

Dmitry Volkov, Ph.D, Founder and CEO of Social Discovery Group, notes, "Modern daters seek authenticity and sincere connections in online dating. Often, chemistry thrives through face-to-face interactions – even in virtual settings – precisely what the new 360° VR video chat feature on Dating.com aims to deliver for singles. This function directly addresses the needs of our users, particularly amid the rising trend for digital reality in dating. Social Discovery Group constantly supports exciting tendencies, empowering users to discover genuine matches, and anticipates creating new relationships through VR technology." 

The VR feature on Dating.com enables users to engage in lifelike online dating experiences. Accessible with a compatible VR headset, it elevates traditional video calls. Users with the necessary equipment receive a list of members available for VR chats, simplifying connection opportunities. Although it may seem like virtual reality is super high tech, it’s actually already popular among all age groups. One of the first users of Dating.com’s VR feature is a 57-year-old man with a VR headset.

Before this update, singles could utilize video chats within apps, resulting in popularity across SDG's platforms. Last year witnessed 3,222,993 video dates facilitated on the platforms, which is 1.3 million more than in 2022. This rise indicates a growing demand for enhanced online communication experiences.

How VR Can Boost the Dating Industry

The metaverse presents a novel way of dating, driven by technologically immersed individuals. It offers unmatched convenience, allowing users to meet people from anywhere through virtual worlds. VR expands the possibilities for date locations, limited only by imagination. Though VR technology is still in its infancy, advancements will reshape interactions. Currently, the tactile sensations of touch may not be fully realized. However, technology is swiftly addressing this limitation, with various haptic (sensation-providing) devices already available on the market. As VR gains momentum, traditional dating platforms may adopt VR experiences or risk losing their audience.

Social Discovery Group is one of the world’s largest social discovery companies, uniting 70 brands with 500 million users. SDG solves the problems of loneliness, isolation, and disconnection with the help of digital reality. Its products include international dating sites, social and entertainment apps with a focus on video streaming, AI technologies, and game mechanics. SDG products redefine the way people interact and connect with each other.