What Is DBL? How To Read Digital Body Language

You know that anxious feeling of re-reading texts and DMs to decode what each emoji, punctuation mark, and time stamp really means? There’s finally a term for what we’ve all been analyzing: DBL – Digital Body Language.

With online dating becoming the most popular way to find love, it’s time for everyone to admit that DBL really does matter! Getting it right can mean more dates, and getting it wrong can mean shutting down matches prematurely.

Whether you need help reading people’s DBL or want to make sure you’re sending the right signal, here’s our ultimate guide to digital body language.

The Types of DBL, Ranked by Importance

In a recent report, 77% of users say they can tell a lot about a match’s intentions through their DBL.

That means that even if a match is wrong about a person’s feelings, they still think their DBL is worth reading, and may react accordingly. In other words, these digital signals have tangible real-world outcomes!

So, what is DBL exactly? The same report listed the cues people consider the most important form of DBL, and how many respondents say they matter:

• Who initiates the conversation (76%)
• Message consistency (76%)
• Message timing (68%)
• Message tone (66%)
• Message length (33%)
• Emoji use (11%)

As you’d expect, the importance of DBL also depends on age. Gen Z daters are 33% more likely than millennial daters to say they feel more comfortable chatting with matches online than in person.

TLDR; manners don’t stop at the screen, and the lines between IRL and digital dating are blurring by the day. Whether you love it or hate it, DBL’s influence is here to stay!

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DBL Signs to Look For in a Match (and Consider Doing Yourself)

Now that you know what DBL entails, let’s break down what each sign means in practice.

Who initiates conversation

Three in four dating app users say sending the first DM is a strong indicator of interest. So when someone initiates a conversation, don’t get bogged down by fear that they might not actually like you. And if you’d like to make it clear you’re interested, you know what to do: just hit send!

Messaging consistency and length

As you'd expect, a rapid-fire conversation with lots of back-and-forth is a sign of interest. To communicate that you like someone, open-ended questions with coherent, empathic responses are the way to go. As for double texting, don’t overthink it – only 13% of app daters say double texting is a turn-off.

The art of text timing

While consistency matters, don’t be discouraged if someone’s suddenly being coy with messaging. Even when they’re interested in someone, Gen Z app daters are 50% more likely than millennials to play it cool and slow down their responses.

It’s also important to consider the time of day you receive a message. Super late-night messages may indicate a lack of consistent, authentic interest.

The ‘vibe’ of a message

Vibes are hard to read in person, let alone across a screen. To maintain good vibes, a rule of thumb from dating app experts is to keep things relaxed, yet action-oriented.

Don’t bombard your match with intense messages, but be direct, especially when making plans. No one likes a back-and-forth attitude, so focus on being honest, open, and authentic.

If you really like someone but can’t read their vibe, asking them to clarify their intentions wouldn’t be the end of the world!

What to Keep in Mind When Reading DBL

DBL is increasingly important, but it certainly doesn’t reveal everything about a person. Once you reach the video chat or IRL stage, do your best to place more importance on your in-person spark than digital manners.

On the flip side, if you really like someone but can’t stand how they text or DM, experts suggest letting them know through subtle clues. Simply saying you love getting messages from them or appreciate hearing from them in smaller ways can do the trick!

At the end of the day, reading DBL should enhance, not detract from, the fun of dating.

Verge is the video-based dating app that’s revolutionizing the dating world! We’re always sharing more dating trends, tips, and advice over on our Instagram! Be sure to follow along for the latest insight.

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