5 lessons Tinder taught us about dating on the app’s 5th anniversary

September 12 2012 completely changed the landscape of online dating, when a pair of entrepreneurs launched an app which would connect millions upon millions of potential couples. 

Facilitating hook-ups, true love, long-term relationships and the occasional unsolicited WhatsApp dick pic, the app revolutionised the prior preconceptions people had about dating online. 

Tinder brought online dating right to our phones, making it more accessible and user-friendly for the millennial generation. 

Here are five love lessons we learned from the now iconic dating app. 

1. It's okay to be picky

Swiping left more often than you swipe right is to be expected, not everyone is going to be for you. 

Having certain expectations for the kind of person you want to be with is just fine, especially on a casual dating app. 

2.  Some light detective work can save you from the most awkward of circumstances

True story: Once I almost went on a date with my best friend's sister's boyfriend, who was cheating on her with random girls from Tinder. 

After I described him to my bestie, she started listing details about him I hadn't told her as she slowly began to recognise my description. 

One quick Facebook search would have saved me a lot of hassle. 

3. Your intentions must always be clear

We all know people are on Tinder for a variety of different reasons. 

Some are actually looking to date in the pursuit of a long-term relationship, while others just want a casual night between the sheets. 

When getting to know someone new, it's only fair to make sure you both have matched up your intentions to avoid anyone getting your feelings hurt over a miscommunication. 

4. It's good to step back and take a break from dating

Oftentimes the dating game can feel like one non-stop conveyor belt of swiping right, chatting for a bit, moving to Whatsapp and then meeting IRL…and then nothing. 

Deleting Tinder for a month or so to decompress and reassess, and then redownloading it full of fresh hope (or a scratchable itch) is a Tinder rite of passage.

5. There actually are plenty of guys out there…

…it's just finding the right one that's the trick. 

If you have ever felt like there are simply no attractive, available men left in your city, Tinder will soon prove you wrong after a bit of diligent swiping. 

Tinder – making us lose and simultaneously regain all hope for our love lives since 2012.