The world of online dating has taken over, but just how much easier it makes finding a partner is debatable.

For Gabi Lake and Jacob Bingham all it took was one phone call.

“I was really nervous because I had never called someone [on a dating app] but I am so happy we did that,” said Lake.

“I’d go on some dates,” said Lake, who now shares an apartment with Bingham.

On a recent afternoon, with Bingham sitting nearby, Lake ranted on about her time using dating apps including Tinder and Hinge. They led to bad dates, guys just wanted to hook up, wouldn’t pay on dates, or simply made her uncomfortable, she recounted.

Then there was the constant cycle of being ghosted and conversations that went nowhere.

“I’d go on some dates and would be unsuccessful and then I’d delete (the app) because I’d get mad. and be like, yeah, I’m not dating anymore. I’m just going to meet my husband in person,” said Gabi Lake.

Gabi kept deleting and redownloading Hinge out of frustration.

“I’d delete it and then when I was bored re-download it,” she said,

Today, most young people are more drawn to dating apps. That have similarities to online shopping. It’s convenient and easy to use, but not without its pitfalls. People don’t always tend to the app – they leave people on read or they aren’t interested.

People on dating apps often find multiple people to talk to. The app cycles through men and women, causing a pile up of too many contestants’ and direct messages. With so many options to choose from, a new hottie comes along to take their attention.

Pew studies show that Tinder specifically has a 79% of active users regularly. Users between the ages of 18 and 29 have been logging on consistently.

Yet, Pew studies also show that 54% of female users are more likely to feel overwhelmed by the number of messages they receive. For male users, 64% have said dating apps make them feel insecure, because of the lack of messages they receive.

Daisy Zlatnik said when she was on Tinder before meeting her boyfriend Engel Indo, she would get overwhelmed by the number of messages she was receiving.

“As we’ve grown up, we’re realizing less and less men treat us with respect and kindness or actually deliver what it is we’re looking for,” Zlatnik said in a three-way Facetime with Indo, who is studying abroad.

Zlatnik continued to talk about her frustration with Tinder and how difficult it was for her to find a guy who didn’t want to just hook up. She was looking for a committed relationship; someone she could call her boyfriend.

That was until last summer when she matched with Indo.

Three months earlier, Indo had split with his ex-girlfriend.

“I was missing the affection, so I logged on and made my profile,” Indo said, blushing.

Zlatnik and Indo are very in love. They even talk about getting married in the future.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.