BLK, a division of the Match Group (Tindr, Hinge, OkCupid), and the largest dating and lifestyle app for black singles is continuously finding ways to create safe spaces for singles to find meaningful connections. For those heading into Valentine’s Day without a significant other, here are five tips to avoid being ghosted by that potential future partner.

Jonathan Kirkland, Head of Marketing & Brand, recently crafted a few tips on what you can do to avoid being ghosted. They’ve noticed that, due to the pandemic, ghosting on dating apps is so much more frequent (and easier for the ghoster) nowadays.

Tips to Avoid Being Ghosted 

1. Make your intentions known as soon as possible
One thing people hate the most on dating apps is when they’re time is wasted. Being clear about your intentions, why you got on a dating app and what you hope to get out of it will make it clear to whoever you’re messaging if you both want the same things. If you do end up having the same goal in mind, the chances of you being ghosted significantly decreases.

2. Keep things short & sweet
Don’t tell people your whole life story. This is a dating app, not a therapy session.  No one is down to read a five-paragraph essay about someone they just started getting to know. We are all SUPER busy, so if someone doesn’t have to think too hard about every message sent, the conversation has a better chance of lasting.

3. Ask Questions and Stay Interested in Getting to Know Them
If you’re getting 1 reply for every 5 messages sent, it’s not a good sign.  The conversation is clearly one-sided.  It’s important when dating, that you allow people to get to know you. However, be sure you are always asking questions about them as well and give them an opportunity to engage. The point of talking is to learn what you have in common, future goals, values and personalities and if you aren’t learning, then it’s a red flag.

4. Avoid Sensitive Topics
2020 was the year that a lot of people became shameless in expressing their views on key topics from politics, social issues, systemic racism and racial injustice, etc.  Yet, when it comes to people’s lives, they aren’t always as vocally forward. If you notice someone is avoiding a question or certain topic, don’t pry to get answers out of them, it will make them uncomfortable and leave you ghosted.  Take a hint.

5. Make Plans
It’s important to AVOID talking to someone for a month without actually hopping on a video call. You want to 1. Make sure you aren’t getting catfished but 2. Hear their voice and see their mannerisms, and 3. make sure there is chemistry between you two to hold an ACTUAL conversation. Get creative with it!  Plan to have a virtual dinner date, drinks or even sign up for a virtual class together. This will help you get a better feel of the mutual vibe and help determine if things can progress from digital dating to a real life relationship. If you haven’t made video chat or at the bare minimum, voice chat plans after about two weeks of messaging, it probably won’t happen, no lie.

The bottom line. 
Someone deciding to end a conversation with you could be something you did.  Someone deciding to end a conversation with you could have something to do with them.  You never know! Don’t take ghosting too personally or spend too much time trying to figure out what went wrong.  You may have actually dodged a bullet. Instead, forget about that ghost and keep looking for that person that will give you life.

BLK was introduced in August 2017 and is currently the leading dating and lifestyle app for Black singles. With a goal of helping users find love at its core, BLK has built a community and space where Black love in all its forms and expressions can happen every day. BLK’s mission is simple: bring Black people together to spark meaningful connections.