Stuck in an endless cycle of reviewing your online dating matches, messaging promising guys, and repeating? It’s time to mix things up. The Internet dating industry now rakes in more than $ 2 billion a year, according to a new report from the market research company IBISWorld—and analysts only expect that number to go up.
That’s a whole lot of cash—so it’s no surprise that companies are trying to get a piece of the pie by introducing innovative twists on the concept. The upshot: You have more dude-meeting methods at your disposal than ever before. Here, a survey of some of the best new options to add to your arsenal.
To skip the online back-and-forth: Match.com Games
It’s hard to think of new things to say every time a guy messages you. Enter: Match.com games, all of which are designed to help you get to know each other better—minus any stress about what to say next. Play “Food Critic” for example, to see how your favorite taco, pizza, and burger joints stack up. Or gauge whether he has a sense of humor by inviting him to play a round of “Romance Rip-Off,” where you work together to create a cheesy romance one line at a time.
Cost of Match.com membership
To break out of your rut: Crazy Blind Date
Everyone has a mental checklist of what they’re looking for in a guy. The only problem? Eliminating men because they don’t meet your exact specifications could be keeping you from dating someone truly awesome (if unexpected). Read about why Mr. Right is a myth. Stay open-minded with this new app from the makers of OKCupid. Just designate when and where you want to meet up with someone, and Crazy Blind Date will connect you with a bachelor who’s game to join you. The catch? The only info you exchange is your age, sexual orientation, and a scrambled headshot. So you’ll likely get some misses—but maybe also a few hits.
Free
To take dating offline: The Stir
The goal of online dating is to eventually meet up in person—so why not just cut to the chase? Match.com’s The Stir sets up hundreds of mixers across the country. Think: happy hours, cooking classes, rock climbing events, tequila tastings, and more. To start mingling, you’ll need to create a profile on Match.com—but you can skip the part where you chat up complete strangers who you might not mesh with in real life.
Cost of Match.com membership includes happy hours; membership + $ 50 for other events
To expand your options: Grouper
The big problem with first dates: If you don’t have chemistry with the guy, your entire night is shot. Grouper’s genius solution? Sending you on a group date with three single guys (and two of your unattached girlfriends) to increase everyone’s odds of finding someone they click with. The service uses your Facebook profile and a brief questionnaire to match you up with a dude outside of your social circle. Then, you each bring along two single friends. The big drawback: You won’t get photos or details about any of the men before you meet them. And of course, there are no guarantees that you and a friend won’t be into the same guy.
Available in Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Toronto.
$ 20 per person per date, which includes the first round of drinks
To get a money-back guarantee: Tandem
If double dates are more your style, Tandem is for you. The site uses a method similar to Grouper to schedule a double date (you and your match each bring a friend to take off some of the pressure of a one-on-one meeting). The added bonus with tandem: If you aren’t satisfied at the end of the night, just let the company know and you’ll get a refund.
$ 10 for one setup, $ 40 for three
More from Women’s Health:
The Best Online Dating Sites
Women’s 10 Worst Online Dating Usernames
How to Write the Perfect Online Dating Message