Mate Preferences by Gender in Online Dating: A systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Online dating sites and apps offer a range of conveniences that appeal to those looking to form new relationships, striving to position themselves as powerful tools for finding dates and building romantic relationships. However, there are clear differences between men and women in their mate acquisition behaviors. While existing research frequently reports frequent gender differences in online dating, these insights remain scattered across multiple studies. This review aims to collect research data to understand the differences in the ways men and women approach mate acquisition online. The study found that the main criterion for men to measure a partner is appearance, while women give priority to the financial attributes of their partner. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the underlying dynamics of the online mate selection process from a gender perspective.