3.8 trillion hours. That’s how much time was spent on mobile apps in 2021, as reported by App Annie. This amounts to 4.8 hours daily per average user. So, what do people do using these apps? Quite a lot, actually! This ranges from messaging, fitness, and gaming, to name a few.
But, what usage tops the charts? Research by MindSea taps into this. According to a survey, 69 percent of respondents said that social media is their most-used app, while 55 percent identified messaging as their frequently used app.
So, between the two, communicating with others remains the primary purpose for which the masses use apps. The sole purpose of such apps isn’t just to stay connected with your current friends. Instead, it is also to meet new ones.
If you are looking to make new connections, here are the top five apps that will help you.
- BonAppetour
Traveling to new cities is surely an exhilarating experience.
One of the biggest charms of exploring the world is meeting new people and learning about their stories. Yet, it is also one of the most daunting things to do. After all, there is a cultural and language barrier that you must overcome to mingle with people.
This is where BonAppetour can be of immense help.
This app merges two things – food and people. It allows travellers and locals to connect to various home restaurants situated in cities of various countries. What is a home restaurant? Well, it refers to a home-based chef or cook giving you dinner in their homes.
This way, you get to forge connections and make conversations while enjoying delectable local cuisine. Surely, a clear win-win! Whether it be Rome, Barcelona, or Singapore, the app caters to home restaurants worldwide.
- airG – Meet New Friends
If you peruse recent AirG reviews – the positive side you will see of the platform is quite endearing. The solution provider has managed to fix many previously prevalent bugs to offer a safe and transparent app that does exactly what it says it will do – help you meet new people!
airG’s networking platform allows you to make platonic or romantic relationships with people you meet online. The ball is in your court regarding how you wish to use the app. With over 100 million global members, you are likely to find like-minded people with whom you want to be friends (or more).
One cool feature of the app is that it allows you to filter people by location, age, and other metrics. You are also provided access to other airG products like Big Barn World’s popular game.
- Lunchclub
Not looking for friends or romantic partners? Are you on the lookout for a professional networking app? Well, there are various such apps out there, too, apart from the mainstream LinkedIn!
One great app is Lunchclub. The only problem is that this app is currently only available on the desktop. But, apart from this flaw, the propositions offered by the app are quite impressive.
For starters, the app asks a series of questions to determine the best fit for the type of professional connections you should have. Then, each week, it sends recommendations about new connections and tells you every time you get a match.
Since most professionals are quite busy, the app offers the feature of meeting via video one-on-one. This way, you can network all you want without jeopardizing your current professional priorities.
Also, the app asks you to pick two slots during the week where you will be up for meeting a professional virtually. This way, you can balance the networking sessions with your schedule.
- Bumble Bizz
If you are a female, the chances are you have at least once been creeped out in your life with the type of unsolicited messages you receive from men online. This also extends to professional apps as well. This is why Bumble was such a hit. It gave autonomy to women; you get to make the first move.
It now offers its service within the professional landscape as well, with the help of Bumble Bizz. As per the app, Bumble Bizz is designed to eliminate any grey areas that exist in networking, which often make women uncomfortable.
So, if you want to have meaningful work and career-related connections, all you have to do is upload your photo, fill out a bio explaining your job and current aspirations and begin swiping. Bumble Bizz only matches users with others within the area to allow for the most meaningful and insightful interactions.
- Clubhouse
There were various stellar apps that came into the picture in 2020, and one was Clubhouse. Who would have thought we would be stuck at home but still have access to gurus like Elon Musk, Tiffany Haddish, and Mark Zuckerberg? That’s exactly what Clubhouse provides us with.
The audio-based networking app allows you to listen to conversations about various topics, be it cryptocurrency or candle-making! You have to enter a room (or create your own) and listen to insightful talks.
You can also see who else is in the same room as you and “ping” them if you are following them. There have been reports about people talking to personalities they never imagined they would have access to and, at times, landing jobs in the process.
As of now, to join the iOS app, you need to get an invitation. Getting an invitation won’t be hard if you are currently on business groups on different social media platforms. You can ask people who have invites left to send you one!
Ending Remarks
As humans, we crave connections. And once the pandemic arrived, most of us were starved for meaningful conversations. This further reinstates the significance of keeping connected with the outside world. And now is the best time to do it!
Moving forward, the five apps mentioned above can help you get out of your comfort zone and mingle with people you never expected to interact with.
So, download the app which you think will help you and begin networking!