Online dating can be a challenging experience, especially for Black women looking for love. One woman shared her story of changing her racial identity on Hinge to see if it would improve her matches. She found that by changing her race to “White,” she was presented with better options, including men who were more attractive, better educated, and had better jobs than those she usually saw in her search results.
This experiment led her to question whether the app’s algorithm favors white women as more desirable, or if these men were specifically seeking white women. The experiences of other Black women who tried the same experiment varied, with some seeing an improvement in their matches and interactions, while others faced similar challenges.
While changing her race did result in better matches, the woman found that she had less luck on Hinge than usual. Some men she matched with stopped responding, while others canceled dates last minute. Despite the mixed outcomes, she ultimately decided to change her race back to Black to stay true to herself.
The experiences of these women highlight the complexities of online dating for Black women and the challenges they face in finding meaningful connections. While apps like Hinge may present opportunities to meet new people, ultimately, finding a genuine connection requires more than just swiping through profiles. The search for love continues, and these women remain hopeful that their perfect match is out there, waiting to find them.