I'm a dating coach (and a long time single person, now married) and I can tell you that nothing replaces the immediate vibe you get when you meet someone IRL. This is why I advise my clients to use the apps only as a supplement while they continue to get out and meet organically.

To prove your point though, I recently had a party and invited two clients who coincidentally had swiped left on each other months before. But when they met in person that night, sparks flew. Neither were each other’s type on the apps, but that all changed in person.

Before online dating, we took more time with each other. We were more patient and accepting. Maybe because we knew we didn't have thousands more options in our back pockets. This is one of my main issues with digital dating: If one tiny problem pops up, you're back on the apps immediately.