The author of this content reflects on her experiences with online dating as a black woman. She discusses how dating apps often focus on race and how this can affect the matches she receives. Despite being told that black women are the least desired dating demographic, the author found that she was often over-targeted by those seeking exoticism. She questions whether she is being matched because of her blackness or despite it.
The author also raises the question of why many people still end up single after spending countless hours on dating apps. They suggest that it could be due to the algorithms not being interested in certain individuals, particularly people of color or those who date people from diverse backgrounds. Alternatively, users’ preferences might prevent them from matching with potential partners from different racial or ethnic backgrounds.
The cofounder of OkCupid, Christian Rudder, suggested in his book, Dataclysm, that race does not have an impact on compatibility. Instead, opinions about race can influence matches. The author concludes that the answer to why people remain single on dating apps lies in a combination of factors, including algorithm biases and users’ preferences.
Overall, the author highlights the unique experiences that black women face when using dating apps and explores the complex dynamics of race in online dating. They raise important questions about how algorithms and personal preferences can impact the matching process and ultimately determine one’s success in finding a partner.
