according to a pair of researchers investigating online dating , the way we 're looking for love ( and lust ) is connecting communities in completely novel ways , breaking down boundaries and possibly even making for stronger long - term relationships .
not only has changed the way we form relationships .
while most people digital match - making services have done more than just change how we find our perfect squeeze ; they 're changing the fundamental nature of our social networks .
today there 's a wide variety of sites and apps to suit your tastes , lifestyle , sexuality , and budget , from tinder and bumble for a quick swipe to like , to okcupid and eharmony for those who want their wit to show with their words .
but real social networks are not like either of these .
but now the first evidence is emerging that their effect is much more profound .
instead , people are strongly connected to a relatively small group of neighbors and loosely connected to much more distant people .
clearly , these sites have had a huge impact on dating websites .
a new wave of dating websites , such as okcupid , emerged in the early 2000s .