Couples who meet online are significantly less satisfied in their relationships compared to those who meet in person, a new study published in Telematics and Informatics has found.
Researchers from the Australian National University surveyed over 6,600 people globally and discovered that those who found love offline—through friends, school, work, or chance encounters—reported stronger intimacy, deeper commitment, and higher levels of romantic satisfaction.
“Participants who met their partners online reported lower relationship satisfaction and intensity of experienced love,” study co-author Adam Bode told Vice. The research also found that online couples scored lower on markers of intimacy, passion, and commitment.
One reason, according to the study, is that offline couples tend to share more common ground—cultural backgrounds, education levels, and life experiences—which help build a stronger foundation. In contrast, online matches often lack these shared touchpoints, making it harder to foster deep understanding.
The study also pointed to the changing nature of dating apps, which increasingly cater to short-term connections rather than long-term relationships. “This shift toward short-term, less committed relationships may, in turn, contribute to lower relationship quality,” Bode said.
Another factor is choice overload. With thousands of profiles to swipe through, users may second-guess their decisions, wondering if someone better is just a click away. The abundance of options, the study suggests, can lead to analysis paralysis rather than lasting happiness, Vice reported, quoting the study.
Importantly, the trend spans all age groups. Online dating is no longer limited to younger users, and while the stigma has faded, the long-term satisfaction data suggests that traditional ways of meeting may still offer stronger outcomes.
The researchers, however, clarified that meeting online doesn’t doom a relationship. Many couples who met digitally have built strong, loving partnerships. But when it comes to long-term compatibility, the study suggests that the old-fashioned approach might still have an edge.
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