Slow dating, fast dating: Temporalitet i Hinge och Grindr : En komparativ studie om hur Grindr och Hinges design strukturerar tid

Digital dating applications have become central arenas for initiating relationships, both romantic and sexual. While previous research has highlighted how dating apps shape self-presentation and interactions, less attention has been paid to how time is structured through platform design. Therefore, this essay aims to examine how the temporal design of the dating apps Grindr and Hinge structures interaction and shapes conditions for online dating. The study employs a qualitative comparative design and is based on the app walkthrough method. By adding on affordance theory and theories of temporality, the analysis highlights how temporal structures are embedded in the apps’ interfaces and functionalities. The findings show that Grindr and Hinge are structured around two contrasting temporal logics, where Grindr emphasizes immediacy, real-time presence, and fast-paced interaction, while Hinge promotes slower and more sequential-oriented interaction between its users. The study concludes that the temporal design of dating apps plays a crucial role in shaping the conditions for relationship formation and interaction, as time functions as a normative and structuring element rather than a neutral backdrop in digital dating environments.