How to find a girlfriend online: tips, tricks and advice

Did you know that one in ten partnered American adults found their significant other online?¹ Apparently, working out how to find a girlfriend online is much simpler than it used to be. Not to mention that not too long ago, your options for finding someone special were limited to having friends set you up, hitting the local bar or club scene, or just plain chance. Luckily, things have changed a lot over the past couple of decades – now, you don’t even need to leave your home to find the love of your life. In this article, we’ll look at how to find a girlfriend on the internet.

General tips on how to get a girlfriend online

More and more singles are using online dating as their primary dating source. Not only is it simple to get started but it lets you date from anywhere, on your own time. It also makes it easier to find people with shared interests and values, making better use of your dating efforts.

Here’s some advice on how to get a girlfriend on dating sites and apps:

• Ask questions and make sure to keep it open-ended. Try to avoid yes-or-no answer questions
• Always do some research on their profile to figure out what you have in common and good topics to explore
• Make sure your profile is suitably polished and expresses what makes you special
• Be careful of bad grammar and spelling errors. This can be a big turn-off
• Don’t be afraid to stand out. Your messages help you communicate your individuality
• Text isn’t always the best opener. Some services have other communication features like interacting with an aspect of their profile, or sending a GIF
• Try to take things offline and on a proper date as quickly and appropriately as possible
• Never share any personal details or compromising content online as there are malicious accounts out there

Best places to find a girlfriend online

Wondering how to find a girlfriend online? Go where the women are, of course. Here are three suggestions for places to go if you’re wondering how to find a girlfriend online. Before you start looking, however, it’s important to figure out what kind of relationship you’re looking for, since different options are better for different types of relationships.

Dating apps

Dating apps are great if you don’t want to spend a lot of time putting together a profile, or if you’d prefer for potential matches to be delivered to you, rather than seeking them out yourself. They’re also targeted more towards people looking for casual hookups versus something long-term, as well as being location-based, letting users find potential matches near them.

Dating websites

Sites like eharmony give users more control when it comes to considering how to find a girlfriend; you usually have to create a detailed profile, and they let you filter potential matches according to your own criteria. Additionally, dating sites tend to be for people looking for something more serious and long-term. While you can filter by distance, location is less of a concern than it is with dating apps.

Social media

This was the answer to ‘how do I get a girlfriend online’ before some of the more well-known dedicated apps existed, and is not a bad option even now. Facebook groups let you meet other people who have the same interests as you do, and many a relationship has gotten its start in Insta DMs. Social media is great for someone who is looking for a partner who may not be on a more traditional dating site, or who isn’t comfortable with the whole idea of putting up a profile and actively hunting.

Tips for talking to women you meet online

As important as communication is in traditional dating, it’s even more important when planning how to find a girlfriend online. After all, prospective partners only have your words, not your voice or your body language, to make a decision with.

Some dos and don’ts when messaging a potential future girlfriend online:

1. Do keep it respectful. We’ve all heard the horror stories from women who’ve experienced the worst of online dating. There’s no reason to be vulgar right off the bat.
2. Do ask thoughtful, open-ended questions. They’re a great way to learn more about her as well as to show your genuine interest in her life and personality.
3. Do compliment her on something other than her looks. It lets her know you’ve been paying attention to more than the physical.
4. Don’t share too much information right off the bat; not only is it off-putting, it’s also a security risk.
5. Don’t expect her to reply immediately; she might be at work or school, or in a completely different time zone.
6. Don’t assume you know better than her, especially when it comes to topics she’s an expert on. Nobody likes the ‘um, actually… guy’.

Some examples of messages to send:

• ‘That’s a great photo of Bali in your bio. Was that your first trip there?’
• ‘You’re right, Michelle West is such an underrated author. What’s your favorite book by her?’
• ‘Hey there. I’ve been reading your posts and you seem like a fun, interesting person I’d like to get to know better. Game?’

Asking out someone you’ve met online

You’ve found someone you’re interested in – now comes the next key step in how to find a girlfriend online: asking her out. It’s important not to rush it – wait until you’re both sure you have at least a few mutual interests, and you’re comfortable meeting them in real life – or over video chat, as the case may be. Remember, it’s okay to be nervous – almost everyone is, especially when their feelings are on the line. It’s okay to write out what you’d like to tell her beforehand, or practice before you do the actual asking. And remember to treat her with respect and kindness regardless of what her actual answer is. If she does say yes, some online date suggestions:

• Watching a movie at the same time, especially with popcorn
• Cooking the same meal together
• Doing a virtual tour of a museum or art gallery together

Tips for an in-person date with someone you’ve met online

Eventually, online meetings aren’t enough, which leads to the crucial next step… meeting in person. It’s important to take your time before deciding to meet – make sure you know the person really well and are comfortable being in the same location as them. Here are some tips to make sure that first in-person date goes well:

• Have the date be somewhere public where there are plenty of other people.
• Rather than one of you picking the other up, each of you should have your own mode of transport.
• Offer to give your personal information to a trusted friend of hers, and have her do the same with one of yours.
• Make the date something you can either cut short or extend, like a coffee shop date or a museum visit.
• Be careful not to come on too strong during the first date – you don’t want a promising connection ruined because you accidentally made her uncomfortable with your enthusiasm.
• Be sure to check in with each other about whether your connection is still strong now you’ve met each other in person.
• Remember that one date often isn’t enough to really connect, so don’t worry if the chemistry isn’t obvious right away – give it a couple more tries before calling things off.

How to keep your relationship going online

Once you’ve met in person, don’t make the mistake of neglecting your online connection. Your phone or computer is a valuable ally in your quest to deepen your connection with your girlfriend. Here are some ways to keep your relationship going, in addition to actually going on in-person dates:

• Send each other memes and funny videos. It’s a quick way to let her know you’re thinking of her.
• Set up regular video chat dates where you do an activity together, like cooking, cleaning, or even a craft.
• A shared Spotify playlist isn’t just a way to show each other what music you like, it’s a great excuse for a dance party.
• There are any number of online games designed for two people, both competitive and cooperative.
• And if you’re feeling naughty, there’s always the option for an X-rated chat or video session.

Finding a girlfriend online with eharmony

Wondering how to find a girlfriend online with eharmony? It couldn’t be easier. When you sign up for eharmony, you’ll be asked to fill in our Compatibility Quiz. This quiz has detailed questions about your likes, your preferences, and your relationship goals. 

Using this information, we search our database for single women we think would be a good match for you based on your shared interests as well as your general compatibility. eharmony is a great option for anyone who is looking for a meaningful relationship online – not only is that what our users come to us for, our filters allow you to find potential matches that meet your criteria easily. eharmony is also known as the #1 trusted dating site for a reason – our well-trained customer service team is on hand to answer your questions and make sure you can look for love in a safe and trustworthy environment.

Finding a girlfriend online is easier than ever

With all the options for how to find a girlfriend online available right now, it can feel a little bit overwhelming. Regardless of what method you choose – app, site, or social media – the key is to have fun and be yourself. Remember, online dating is a numbers game – the more effort you put in, the better your chances. And if you want to up your odds of finding someone who shares your values, interests and wants a serious relationship, just like you? Time to try eharmony. Sign up and take your next steps on the path to real love today.