Mystic Messenger is a game in which players take control of a female avatar and are presented with six potential suitors, powered by artificial intelligence. With more than a million people engaged around the world, it provides a glimpse into the true potential of online dating.

A study conducted by researchers at Binghamton University has discovered that, among users of Chinese dating site Baihe, females tend to be more self-conscious while men are more aggressive, and these behavioural differences influence how they craft their profiles and messages.

Female-led dating app Bumble has now integrated video and voice calling into the app so that users no longer need to exchange contact information to get to know each other better. This feature protects users from “catfishing”, and offers them a better idea of who they might be meeting.

As swiping right has become the default in digital dating, OkCupid is reinforcing its core value of ‘substance over selfies’ with an ad campaign that reclaims the acronym DTF. By exploring the ways people get to know each other beyond the physical, it’s making a statement against hook-up culture.