A legitimately new phase of dating life has emerged: the video date. “That did not exist really until the pandemic hit,” says Rachel DeAlto, chief dating expert with the dating app Match.

It’s taken some time and effort though for singles to determine what works best on a video date, also known as a virtual date. “Because it could feel a little awkward just staring at the

screen, “DeAlto says, “what we find is that most people will add drinks or food to the situation to make it feel like it’s actually a real-life date.” Some virtual dates involve each party

ordering up delivery food, say from a local restaurant. Others, using what’s on-hand in each person’s kitchen for meals or agreeing in advance to cook the same dish as a shared experience.

stream the same show or movie. The digital resource teleparty.com, formerly known as Netflix Party, synchronizes video play back and adds group chat to Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and HBO. Some

singles dating during the pandemic go on virtual museum tours together. “There’s definitely ways to incorporate another element If you don’t want to just sit there and talk,” DeAlto says.

First dates are often awkward, even in person. Virtual first dates have the potential to be even more so. Cynthia V. Catchings, a licensed therapist with the therapy app Talkspace, says to

not over think it. After all, you’re likely not the only one involved feeling awkward or nervous. “Human beings tend to think about the ‘what if’s’ before things happen,” Catchings says.

“Enjoy the moment and let go of the weight of it. Remind yourself that you’re simply getting to know each other and have fun.” For first dates virtual or in-person, Haesue Jo, a therapist

with the app BetterHelp, recommends focusing more on putting your _real foot forward _than your best foot forward. “You want to be accepted as you are, not for an embellished version of

yourself,” Jo says. “Eventually in a long lasting relationship, the truth will come forward, and if who you truly are is vastly different than how you initially presented yourself, you and

your partner will experience issues with that.” Virtual dating is particularly at play during colder weather, when it’s less practical to meet up for an al fresco meal or coffee, a walk

downtown, etc. But during warmer months, pandemic dating has shifted towards outdoor activities. “For the first time in (Match) profiles, parks have been listed as the top first date idea as

compared to restaurants and bars,” DeAlto says. As the pandemic changed ways people are dating, dating apps have changed too. On Feb. 1, Airbnb launched a collection of Bumble-approved

online experiences - ranging from an interactive game night “at” Paris’ Louvre Museum, to a “hidden jazz club” with live performances – designed to help people celebrate Valentine’s Day 2021

in a fun, COVID-safe way. “There’s a lot of room for creativity when it comes to planning a date during the pandemic, but we also know that this can be a big challenge to navigate,” says

Bumble vice president of marketing strategy and operations Priti Joshi. Average price for these Airbnb/Bumble experiences is about $30 per person, via airbnb.com/love. U.S. based Bumble

members can get a 20 percent discount. Last April, Bumble launched a Virtual Dating Badge in the app to help users find and filter perspective partners by who is looking to date virtually.

Bumble recently morphed this feature into their COVID Preferences Center, where people can find relevant pandemic safety guidelines and also indicate what type of dates they’re comfortable

with – such as virtual, socially-distanced or socially-distanced with a mask. “This allows you to connect with someone that’s on the same comfort level as you in terms of dating preferences

from the very beginning of the match,” Joshi says. Recently added features to the Match app include Vibe Check, an in app video option so users can do a quick initial video meet without

exchanging phone numbers to FaceTime or going on a Zoom chat. “Checking that vibe will save you so much time and frustration,” DeAlto says. “The biggest frustration with online dating is

‘they didn’t look like they seemed on their profile.’ Or ‘they were just different and I could tell within four seconds that this wasn’t going to work.’ Video will allow you to get a better

gauge should I go out for a night with this person.” All four sources interviewed for this story agreed video/virtual first dates are a trend that will likely remain post-COVID too. What

many singles are looking for in a partner has changed during the pandemic. For example, an individual’s pandemic views have become a primary means of making conclusions about fit and

potential. “For many, differences of opinions on mask wearing or careful social distancing are deal breakers right off the bat,” Catchings says. Also, there’s a trend toward “slow dating,”

people taking more time before meeting in-person and taking additional steps in a relationship. “More time and effort is placed in getting to know the person versus rushing to intimacy,”

Catchings says. During the pandemic, Jo has observed a scarcity mindset among some clients who are actively dating. “As in, sticking with potential partners that they may not have lingered

around with if we weren’t in a pandemic,” Jo says, “and if meeting up with people didn’t also pose some threats to our own health.” Getting physically intimate with a new partner can be

complicated in the most normal of times. With the potential of spreading COVID-19, there’s a new consideration in the mix, in addition to the health and trust issues always involved in that

part of life. However, Catchings says intimacy during the pandemic can be navigated successfully. “Talk about it together,” Catchings says, “and get creative.” And Jo says while fear of

rejection over sexual needs and preferences can deter people from having those kinds of discussions, that’s actually another reason to proceed. “Having these difficult conversations might

spare a lot of turmoil and drama down the road,” Jo says. “Our needs and preferences can change over time, so this is an ongoing conversation that doesn’t just end after you’ve talked about

it once.” While hook-up culture may have cooled off a bit at the pandemic’s onset, Jo says that lifestyle is now back, full-on. Now approaching a year long, the pandemic has truly amplified

what it means to be and feel alone. It’s also intensified that fear of “Am I ever going to ever find someone?” “While combating loneliness was probably already a reason people date,” Jo

says, “now there’s a much bigger gaping hole that I think people are trying to fill with dating.” The pandemic has paused many ways singles organically meet someone to date. Many current

singles may be turning to dating apps for the first time. If you’re new to using dating apps, DeAlto recommends going all in. “It sounds silly,” DeAlto says, “but people with complete

profiles, who put a little bit of thought into their responses are the ones who see the best results, because people are able to gauge who they are and really know who they’re connecting

with.” Joshi cautions new Bumble users to not too much pressure on themselves to find that perfect match immediately. “And recognize,” Joshi says, “that this is everyone’s first time dating

during a pandemic.”