"For most people, receiving a gift sparks joy—not because of its material value, but because it's a reminder that someone thought of them. No matter how small, a gift carries a powerful message: 'You matter to me,'" said Jaime Bronstein, Licensed Relationship Therapist and relationship expert at Dating.com and DateMyAge. "Even through an online dating app, this thoughtful gesture highlights an attractive quality—kindness. Especially now, when people have progressed from traditional gifts to virtual gifting, there's no distinct line between the physical and virtual.". "Many people feel lonely during the holiday season, often centered on family and couples. But in our modern world, virtual gift-giving can be a meaningful way to help people feel less lonely, providing a sense of connection," continues Bronstein, also the author of MAN*ifesting: A Step-By-Step Guide to Attracting the Love That's Meant for You

NEW YORK, May 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dating.com – part of Social Discovery Group, the company behind over 70 online dating sites – is introducing a new VR feature that makes it easier than ever to meet and connect with potential matches online. With this launch, users can now engage in 360° VR video chats with other members, promising a more lifelike communication experience."Today's daters are looking for authenticity and the ability to build genuine connections when finding love online. Sometimes, chemistry can best be discovered when meeting face-to-face – even via video – which is exactly what the new 360° VR video chat capability will do for singles on Dating.com," said Dmitry Volkov , Ph.D., Founder of Social Discovery Group. "Introducing this feature is a direct response to what our community is looking for, especially given the growing interest in virtual reality for dating. At Social Discovery Group, we are always looking to stay ahead of the curve so people can find their true matches, and we look forward to helping more people build relationships with VR."The VR tool on Dating.com allows daters to engage in 360° VR video chats with other members on the site, creating a more realistic and lifelike experience in online dating. To access the tool, users are required to have a compatible VR headset, taking traditional video calls to the next level

Survey finds that approval from loved ones is not an essential requirement for people to move romantic relationships forward.A majority of respondents noted that if they were to seek approval on their relationship from anyone, it would be from their mom.NEW YORK, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dating.com – part of Dating Group, the company behind over 40 online dating sites – today released newly collected survey data that shows we no longer need the approval of our friends and family on our significant others. 57% of respondents reported that they would end a friendship with someone who did not approve of their partner."For many, finding a partner that meets your needs can be a very challenging task. Because of this obstacle, which can feel insurmountable, many daters feel as though they need to hold onto a good relationship when they have one - even if it looks imperfect to other people in their life. This can lead to conflict with friends and family if everyone is not aligned," said Maria Sullivan, Dating Expert and Vice President of Dating.com.Other key survey findings include:71% of respondents reported that their friends' opinions have little to no impact on their choice of whether or not to pursue a romantic partner.54% of respondents reported that they believe the disapproval they experienced from a friend or relative was a result of jealousy.Men are far less concerned with getting approval than women are. In fact, 45% of male respondents said they would wait up to six months before mentioning a serious relationship to their parents.92% of respondents noted that if they were to seek relationship approval from anyone, it would be from their mom."While there has been an uptick in daters who are unbothered by their friends' and family's thoughts on their relationship, there are still people that are experiencing turmoil without the acceptance they need," said Sullivan