Tag: video dating
Authenticity in Online Dating: Why imperfection guarantees better matches than any filter
Just be you, silly!
If you’ve just emerged from a twenty-year slumber, welcome back to the wild world of today! Things have changed, and one significant transformation is how people present themselves, especially in the realm of online dating. With high-tech phones and photo-editing tools, anyone can create a digital facade that differs dramatically from reality.
But if you’ve been awake all along, you’re probably well aware of this phenomenon. A trip to the r/IntagramReality subreddit shows how many people distort images of themselves on Instagram, sometimes looking like different people altogether. Mostly, though, they’re laughably bad examples of photo editing with distorted backgrounds or frightening, Picasso-ish aberrations.
But even if not that extreme, In today’s digital age, it’s easier than ever to be inauthentic. You no longer have to be yourself, not if you don’t want to be. This is the central premise of the popular TV show “Catfish,” where individuals adopt fake online personas, only to reveal their true selves when they meet in person. This disconnect between online and real-life identities leads to heartbreak, drama, and plenty of entertainment for MTV viewers.
While Catfish is an extreme example, many of us engage in a milder form of this behavior from time to time. It’s called kittenfishing: making yourself seem more desirable on a dating app. It’s not outright lying about your identity, like catfishing, but altering your appearance on your dating profile radically from what you’re like in person (posting photos with deceptive angles or from years ago, lying about age, height or occupation, or wearing hats to cover up baldness) or bending the truth in other ways to seem more desirable (fibbing your occupation or hobbies).
There’s no need to pass judgment here because we’re all guilty of it to some extent. We engage in kittenfishing because we’re chasing the illusion of perfection and seeking validation in the form of likes on dating apps.
However, perfection is something that’s sold to us; it’s not an achievable goal. And being “perfect” doesn’t necessarily make you more desirable. For example, studies have shown that we are more likely to find asymmetrical faces more attractive than symmetrical ones. That is, our perception of what is perfect is subjective and not actually universally appealing.
Rejection, although painful, is a natural part of life. If it makes you feel any better, even those who appear “perfect” face rejection. And while being rejected after being “real” with someone is like being stung by a hive of bees when you have a bee allergy, in the dating context, it’s much better to be rejected early on than to invest time in someone who doesn’t have any interest in the real-life, authentic you!
Everyone deserves love and acceptance for who they truly are. It takes courage to be authentic, especially when facing the possibility of rejection. However, it is also the only surefire way to find someone who genuinely appreciates and loves you for being yourself. When you find that person, it’s like witnessing a fireworks display of genuine connection and understanding.
Being yourself leads to a more honest understanding of who you are, creating a first date experience that is confident and free of mismatched expectations. It increases the likelihood of a better first date, a second date, and a more fulfilling dating experience overall. So, in the world of online dating, embracing your imperfections and showcasing your authentic self can lead to the most meaningful connections.
So. In a world where authenticity shines brighter than any digital filter, being yourself is the compass that guides you to genuine connections, ensuring that your search for love is an unapologetically true and rewarding journey.
Video Killed the Photo Star: 7 Reasons Why FFWD’s In-App Video Profiles Are the Only Way to Date
It’s time to upgrade your dating life with FFWD’s fun & easy video profiles.
If you’re one of 42 million Americans who use dating apps to find a partner, you’re likely familiar with the joys of online dating. And by “joys” we mean the odious feelings of frustration and disillusionment that results from the tedious cycle of swiping, matching, and unmatching.
First there is the endless loop of matches that go nowhere. And even if you finally meet up with someone after weeks of texting – not to mention the time-consuming date prep rituals – it’s a giant heap of disappointment when their online profile doesn’t match the real-life person in front of you.
Beyond the physical disparities, charisma and personality that shines through online often falls flat in person, and those elusive “human intangibles” like vibe and character can’t be captured in a few carefully curated photos or cleverly crafted messages. As a result, we end up picking the wrong people based on superficial qualities or missing out on potentially great matches whose true essence cannot be gauged from an online profile alone.
But there’s hope on the horizon for our woes with online dating: video profiles. They offer a game-changing solution to these longstanding problems and could revolutionize the world of relationship apps.
But let’s be clear, not all video is created equally.
FFWD’s in-app video profiles are designed to bridge the gap between the digital and the real worlds to help you find genuine connections faster than ever before.
Here are just a few reasons why FFWD’s video profiles are a must-have to elevate your dating experience:
1. What You See is What You Get.
With traditional photo-based profiles, the real life person frequently bears little (kittenfishing) or no (catfishing) resemblance to their online profile. It’s like ordering a pepperoni pizza and getting a plain cheese or, worse, a salad. But with FFWD’s in-app video profiles, you get to see the genuine, unfiltered look at the real-life person behind each profile right away. That’s because videos are recorded within the app, with no option to upload any external videos, edit them, or apply filters. So what you see is what you’ll get on your first date. Imagine meeting someone in person and actually feeling confident that they are exactly as they appear on their profile. It makes that first date much more pleasant for both sides, without any surprises or disappointments.
2. Capture More Than Just a Moment in Time.
When it comes to finding genuine connections and truly seeing someone, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a video can tell you a rich story. With FFWD’s video profiles, you can experience someone’s magnetic energy and effortless charm, and all those real-life quirks. For example, maybe you’ll notice how their eyes light up when they talk about their favorite hobby, or how they absentmindedly play with their hair when they’re nervous. All of these elements combine to create a more complete picture of who the person really is, which can be impossible to glean from a few carefully selected photos.
3. Personality on Full Display.
With video profiles, you don’t have to rely on texts alone to gauge someone’s persona. Instead, you get to see them in action and experience their idiosyncrasies, humor, and energy in a way that photos or texts just can’t capture. Imagine watching someone tell a joke and seeing the cute way they laugh or the twinkle in their eye. It’s like getting a sneak peek of your first date, and it can help you determine if there’s chemistry and attraction beyond the surface level. That way, your first date has more of a second-date vibe!
4. Embrace Your Authentic Self and Be Liked for Who You Are.
With FFWD’s video profiles, you get to put your authentic foot forward and then feel confident that when someone swipes right on you, they’re attracted to the real you, not just your photos or their imagined version of you. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, whether you have a quirky sense of humor or a unique hobby, you can find someone who appreciates you for exactly who you are. Just be your genuine self and you’re sure to find someone who digs you just the way you are.
5. Discover Hidden Gems.
Consider how many amazing people have you passed up on dating apps because their photos just didn’t do them justice. With video profiles, you can discover hidden gems whose charisma, personality, and vibe are only apparent in real life. Maybe you’ll be surprised to find that someone who doesn’t look like your “type” on paper has a laugh that makes your heart skip a beat. You might just find your perfect match with someone you least expected.
6. Reduce the Likelihood of Ghosting.
Studies have shown that people are less likely to ghost someone when they feel a stronger connection to them. With traditional online dating, it’s easy to get caught up in swiping through photos and one dimensional profiles without really getting to know the person behind the screen. It’s hard to get attached to aviators, which makes it easier to abandon a “match”. Video profiles allow users to see the person behind the profile picture, creating a more authentic and honest first impression. This leads to faster connections within the app and a more successful first date, reducing the chances of subsequent ghosting. Additionally, video profiles help to weed out potential mismatches and duds, resulting in fewer disappointing dates and, therefore, less ghosting.
7. Save Time and Fast-Forward to a Real World Spark.
In today’s fast-paced world, time is our most valuable commodity. Imagine how frustrating it is to spend weeks talking to someone online and hours of prepping for a first date, only to find out they’re not a good match in person. With video profiles, you can avoid that disappointment and fast-forward to someone who’s truly worth your time and energy.
So what are you waiting for? Upgrade your dating life with FFWD’s in-app video profiles. Find genuine connections faster than ever before. Download now.