Tinder was launched in 2012, but when did online dating first begin? Shangwei: “Mobile dating began in 2009 with Grindr, the first dating app for gay men to appear in the App Store. Jackd, Blued, Tinder and the others were inspired by Grindr.”

What was there before Tinder?

That same year, Dateline, which would become Britains biggest and best-known computer dating service and the pre-internet answer to Tinder, was born.

What were the first dating apps?

In 1995, the worlds first online dating website was launched in the form of Match.com. Lonely hearts rejoiced as they could now meet and flirt with potential matches without having to change out of their pajamas.