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We've all heard of dating apps but did you know there are friendship apps out there too? These apps work similarly to dating apps in that you swipe left or right on someone you don't or do want to connect with based on their profile, and with help from an algorithm.
In a world where loneliness is on the rise and many people have said they have no friends, these friendship apps can be crucial. They allow users to improve the likelihood of making a connection that could turn into a lasting friendship.
Curious to learn more about these friendship apps? Click through now.
Life today can be extremely isolating. Friendship apps can help people build meaningful relationships outside of traditional social circles.
Surveys indicate that many adults in the US are struggling with loneliness. In fact, 8% reported they have no close friends. These friendship apps are coming at the perfect time to help individuals make new connections.
Similar to dating apps but with a focus on friendship instead of romance, these apps use algorithms and interest-based matching to bring like-minded people together.
With loneliness and social disconnection on the rise, friendship apps have gained traction and are likely to continue with this momentum.
As with the early days of online dating, friendship apps also come with their own stigma.
Apps like 222, Bumble BFF, Clockout, Timeleft, and Pie are leading the space and each has unique features that enable users to make new connections and hopefully, friendships.
Social media algorithms can actually isolate people but with friendship apps, these algorithms aim to do the opposite.
Apps like Timeleft have helped facilitate over 400,000 connections and Bumble reported that 15% of its users engaged with the friendship feature.
Gen Z is more open to forming friendships online, with apps like Bumble BFF reporting higher engagement among younger users.
Adoption amongst older demographics is lower. Perhaps it's because of stigmas around meeting people online or a lack of interest in technology, there are numerous possibilities.
Remote work is becoming more and more an integral part of our world and while it helps give people professional freedom, it can cause a lack of in-person connection.
Different apps cater to different needs. For example, Peanut connects mothers, Amintro serves older adults, and Meetup focuses on shared interests. Identifying personal goals can help users find the best fit for them.
Many adults struggle with forming new friendships and the apps are helpful as they aid in facilitating connections.
Experts suggest adding things like your favorite book, hobbies you enjoy, or even travel experiences to increase the likelihood of more meaningful connections.
While technology has contributed to social detachment, friendship apps attempt to counteract this by fostering in-person meetups and genuine connections.
Social media can often create very superficial interactions. Friendship apps, on the other hand, prioritize real-world connections and a more sustainable friendship.
Friendships strengthen through face-to-face interactions. Research suggests that friendships that are "online-only" are often less meaningful. In-person meetups are crucial for forming deeper bonds.
It can take a lot of effort to build lasting friendships. Things like regular interactions, shared activities, and consistent communication can help.
According to research, spending at least 50 hours together is required to form casual friendships.
There are apps such as Pie that create regular meetups around shared interests. This can help people move beyond one-off encounters and form long-lasting bonds.
Investment in this space is growing, with Pie raising US$11.5 million and 222 securing $3.6 million, reflecting the increasing demand for social connection solutions.
Despite their best efforts, friendship apps are not foolproof. There isn't an algorithm in this world that can guarantee chemistry.
Friendship apps can be an excellent starting point in forming real-life connections. However, it takes effort to build and maintain these connections and potentially create lasting friendships.
Friendship apps are likely to continue expanding their reach as algorithms are refined and user engagement strategies improved.
Many apps incorporate user feedback to refine their matching processes and create better social experiences.
A reminder to remember the friends you might already have. There are apps such as Thoughtful and Marco Polo that help users maintain existing friendships by prompting consistent communication.
Friendship apps serve as facilitators, but the real success lies in users' willingness to engage, show up, and nurture new connections.
Sources: (Time) (Business Insider) (Vox)
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LIFESTYLE Technology
We've all heard of dating apps but did you know there are friendship apps out there too? These apps work similarly to dating apps in that you swipe left or right on someone you don't or do want to connect with based on their profile, and with help from an algorithm.
In a world where loneliness is on the rise and many people have said they have no friends, these friendship apps can be crucial. They allow users to improve the likelihood of making a connection that could turn into a lasting friendship.
Curious to learn more about these friendship apps? Click through now.