(Last Updated on November 15, 2018 by Datezie Editors)
If you have already climbed your way over that hill—and perhaps, then some—you know fielding through eligible singles in your 50s and beyond is quite the learning curve. While there are plenty of dating websites for seniors, there is only one that mimics the swiping nature of Tinder: Lumen. Launched earlier this fall, the Lumen Dating App is targeted to never-been-married, divorced or widowed hopefuls who are looking for someone within their age bracket. Unlike the sometimes complicated-nature of more serious-seeking digital destinations (looking at you Match and eHarmony), Lumen takes a slightly more casual approach, which makes sense since one of its co-founders, Andrey Andreev, has also worked with other apps like Badoo, Bumble and others. If you meet the age requirements and are looking for a new romance that may or may not go the distance, here’s what you need to know about Lumen:
How Does It Work?
…A lot like the dating apps your kiddos are thumbing through these days. You’ll download Lumen from iTunes or Google Play, depending on your carrier and begin creating a profile. You can expect to upload images, fill out sections, answer questions and set your preference—from age and location, to sexual orientation.
What Makes It Different?
To know if you are truly interested in someone takes a bit of researching, and since the 50 and up crowd is less likely to meet up instantly, Lumen goes the extra mile to ensure detailed information and authenticity. They require three photos, with one being a selfie. They also analyze each image to ensure it is credible, which cuts down on catfishing or users trying to pose as a version of themselves from 20 years ago. They also ask meaningful questions about your interests and hobbies, helping their algorithm to pair you with the most suitable suitors.
Will It Work?
The question of course, is why not just download Tinder? It’s a fair one, but for those truly strategizing for a specific age, Lumen makes more sense. It helps to fill a void that the over-the-hill crowd faces, according to their chief marketing officer, Charly Lester. In an interview she shared, “Over the years people have often asked me where their single parents should be dating, and I used to genuinely struggle to find an answer. In Lumen, we have created a space which embodies the values of our over-50s audience, and built the type of community we would happily recommend to our friends’ parents.”
As one of the largest investors in Bumble, it says something that Andreev invested $45 million into Lumen. Considering more than 40 percent of all marriages end in divorce in both the United Kingdom and the United States, the singles are out there. The only struggle will be getting them to do as their children (or grandchildren) do… and get to swiping.
