Tinder, the dating app that has approximately 80 million users worldwide, has got a bit of a bad reputation in the romance department, and is more synonymous with casual hook ups and one-night stands that soul mate searching and everlasting love.

But after announcing at the Web Summit conference in Dublin earlier this the month that Tinder’s data suggests 80% of users are looking for long-term love on the app, it’s co-creator Sean Rad has again divulged further into defence of his creation, saying it isn’t a killer of romance.

In a recent interview with the Evening Standard, Rad explained that “you can’t deny Tinder is what the world wants…all Tinder’s doing is we’re connecting people. We’ve built the most efficient way for you to meet somebody new.” 

Anecdotally. we've all heard stories from both ends of the spectrum when it comes to the infamous app - from bad first dates, to love at first swipe. But the people behind Tinder, like Rad himself, are committed to proving that the occasional unwelcome sleazy line (and let's be honest, pictures too) may be worth it in the end, as user are likely to find lasting love on their mobile phones,

Currently, they are researching into 'Tinder marriages', claiming that the spike in divorce rates could be linked to the wider variety the app provides: “Now there is more choice, so people make the right decisions.”

Responding to Vanity Fair branding Tinder the “Dawn of the dating apocalypse” in its September issue article that consisted of interviews with users looking for casual sex from the app, Rad says he was upset by the piece - but insists: “If society just wants to ‘hook up’, who am I to judge?” 

Moreover, he elaborates that “feminism has led to it [rise of hook up culture] because now women are more independent and pursuing their desires. And that leads to both parties being more sexually active. It’s not because of Tinder.”

Whether you're a fan of dating apps or not, you can't deny the incredible impact it's had on modern society.

But whether it really is the birthing ground of true love or the death of traditional romance altogether is still up for debate.