The Difference Between Mainstream Dating Sites and Hookup Sites

So, you are thinking about getting started with an online dating site. However, when you start to look at all the options out there, it quickly becomes overwhelming. There are what feels like countless sites with more coming online all the time. How do you know which ones are going to be the best options for you? Well, you need to think about what you are looking for first, so you can start to make a list of the dating sites that are more likely to work for you. To do that, you need to learn the difference between hookup sites and mainstream dating sites. What are they and what do you get from them?

What Are Hookup Sites?

A hookup site is a dating site that has people who become members for one sole purpose. They want to meet one another for casual sexual encounters. That doesn’t mean the encounters aren’t safe. If simply means that there are no expectations for any future relations with one another.

In some cases, you might find someone who wants to hook up again another time. That could work for you. However, you might also find people that are looking for a one and done encounter. That’s fine, too. With the hookup dating sites, you know exactly what you are getting. There are no expectations, and that is refreshing to many people. This could be just the type of site that you want to use.

Of course, you might not be into hooking up. You might want something more.

What Are Mainstream Dating Sites?

For those who are ready for a relationship, or who want to make deeper connections with the people they are meeting online, a mainstream dating site could be a good option. These sites tend to have longer profiles for you to fill out, and you are providing much more detailed information about yourself and what you want. These sites will often utilize algorithms that can help you to connect with someone who is a good match for you. Some of the bigger sites that would be considered a mainstream dating site include OKCupid.com, eHarmony and Match.com.

Of course, that’s just a few of the different mainstream sites out there. When you are looking for a site to use, whether it is mainstream or one of the hookup sites, you will want to be careful. Know exactly what you are signing up for and how much it will cost to use the service. Make sure that you take the time to vet the service, as well. Look for some reviews to get a better idea of how it works.

If you find that the service you choose is not working for you, and you have tweaked your profiles, it might be time to seek another site instead. Just make sure that you know the “goal” of the site. Are they looking to help you find a true love, or are they looking to help you find someone to love tonight?

 

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