Whether you’re a fan or not, you’ve probably heard bad things about Tinder—including the notion that it is primarily an app for hooking up with people.
And although your experience may be different, that stigma has stuck with the popular dating app for years. But Tinder’s Explore page offers users more meaningful ways to connect, other than through a few pictures and a short bio.
So, what is Tinder’s Explore page? This guide will tell you what it is about, where to find it, and how to use it to connect with other users in more unique ways.
What Is Tinder's Explore Page?
Tinder’s Explore page is a hub with different categories for connecting with would-be suitors (and even friends).
The Explore tab shows you categories based on interests, called Passions, as well as recommended categories based on your profile.
Here are some of the categories you can join:
- Free Tonight? For those wanting to meet up spontaneously.
- Let’s be friends for people looking for pure friendship.
- Coffee Date to meet up for a casual chat.
- Bored at Work for the times when you need a break from your desk and could do with some lunchtime company.
- Date Night for those specifically looking to go out on a romantic date.
- Binge Watchers to help you connect with people through a common love for TV series.
- Gamers for gamers looking to connect.
- Social Causes for those looking for a more meaningful connection with like-minded individuals.
- Animal Parents to help you find someone with whom you can share your love for animals.
- Creatives to help you connect with fellow creatives and possibly spark some inspiration or collaborate on projects.
- Brunch Time to find someone with whom to share snaps of your Insta-worthy brunch meals.
- Entrepreneurs to add to your network.
- Foodies to discover more restaurant gems in the city, and share your best dining experiences.
- Music Lovers to exchange playlists and share your love for music.
- Nature Lovers to help you find a hiking or camping buddy.
- Sporty to find someone to who enjoys sports as much as you do.
- Night Out to get someone with whom to paint the town red.
- Thrill Seekers to find fellow adrenaline junkies.
- Wanderlust to find a travel buddy to join you on your next adventure.
- Self Care to connect with someone who equally values self-care.
How To Use Tinder's Explore Page
If you want to get started, here's how to access and use the Tinder Explore feature:
- Open the Tinder app on your phone.
- Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen. This is the Explore tab.
- Tap the category you want to join. Alternatively, you can scroll to the For You page to see categories recommended for you and tap the one you’re interested in.
- Once you’ve selected a category, tap Join Now.
Once you’ve joined, you can swipe left or right as usual to scroll through potential matches.
Tinder Is Giving Users Different Ways to Connect
Not everyone who uses Tinder is there for a hookup or even something romantic.
Tinder’s Explore page offers you that very opportunity—a myriad of ways to connect, without the pressure of wondering if the person on the other side of the screen could be your perfect match.