How to Ask Someone for a Video Date

Co-authored by Maya Diamond, MA and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: September 29, 2024 References

Video dates are rapidly becoming the norm, whether you’re dating locally or pursuing a long-distance relationship. But how are you supposed to get the digital ball rolling without setting yourself up for a boring date? Don’t worry. We’ve put together plenty of creative and fun ways to ask someone out on a video date that are virtually unforgettable!

1

Look for signs that they're interested.

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A few tell-tale clues can tell you if it’s time to schedule that video date. Check how often the person messages you—they’re probably interested if they’re texting you frequently. Plus, take a closer look at what they’re sending. Generally, a text with friendly emojis is a sure sign that they’d like to go on a video date with you.^{[1]
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Maya Diamond, MA
Relationship Coach

Expert Interview. 17 January 2019.}^{[2]
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- If they’re interested, they might also reply to your texts quickly and have plenty of in-depth conversations with you.
- For example, if they text you a blushing smile or a smirk emoji, there’s a chance they might be interested in something.

2

Suggest a video date while you’re chatting over the phone.

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Phone calls are a great starting point and can be a lot less intimidating than video calls. As your phone conversation starts to wind down, ask your date if they’d like to video chat next time. If they don’t feel comfortable yet, put the idea on the back burner for another time.^{[3]
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- After the call, you might shoot your date a text saying, “It was so nice talking with you! Wanna try FaceTime or Zoom for our next chat?” or “Feeling up to a FaceTime call this weekend? I’ve got lots of free time on Saturday.”
- If you’re feeling especially ambitious, you could suggest a video date at the beginning of the phone call. You might say, “I know this out of the blue, but do you feel up for a FaceTime call?” or “I’d love to ‘meet’ you, even if it’s just virtually. Would you like to do Skype call?”

3

Try inviting them to a video date over text.

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Suggest your idea before the conversation really gets going. Shoot them a brief message and see if they’d be interested in switching to video chat. If they’d like to give it a shot, decide on a video platform to use so you can get things going. If they don’t seem super interested at the time, reassure them that there’s no pressure and that you can always video call another time.^{[4]
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- You might say, “As much as I enjoy texting, I’d love to be able to put a face to a name? Are you feeling up for a FaceTime call?” or “Wanna change things up? I was thinking we could try a video call tonight.”

4

Pick a video chat service that you both use.

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FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger are all fair game. Lots of different chatting and social media platforms have their own video chat software, which can get your date up-and-running with the touch of a button. Ask your date if they’re on social media, or if they have an iPhone or iPad that they can FaceTime with.^{[5]
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Research source} Zoom, Google Meet, Google Duo, Microsoft Teams, Spike, and Telegram are other ways to host a video date.^{[6]
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- Some dating apps have built-in video chat features, like Bumble, Badoo, The League, and The Intro.^{[7]
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  Research source} Tinder also has a video chat service called “Face to Face.”^{[8]
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- You could say, “Would you like to FaceTime later?” or “Are you up to anything this Saturday? If you aren’t busy, I was thinking we set up a video date on Facebook Messenger.”

5

Invite them to a virtual dinner date.

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Ask your date to cook dinner with you via their phone, tablet, or laptop. Invite them to pick up the ingredients for their favorite meal. Then, you can both watch each other cook from the comfort of your own kitchens. Once the food is ready, sit down at the table with your phone, tablet, or laptop.^{[9]
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- For instance, you might suggest, “Want to have a virtual date? We can FaceTime while making dinner this Friday.”
- You could say, “My future dinner plans include spaghetti and meatballs, but I’d love if you could there, too. Free for a Zoom call on Sunday night?”
- Cooking a meal together might be a bit much for your very first video call together. If you’d prefer to take things slow, you could always make the meal ahead of time, pick up some takeout, or invite them to a virtual “happy hour.”

6

Embark on a wine-tasting adventure.

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Invite your date to try new wines with you from the comforts of home. Encourage your date to order or pick up a specific type of wine. During your video call, you can sip your wine at the same time and compare notes. This is a surefire way to make your video date extra classy.^{[10]
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- You might say, “Are you busy Thursday night? I was thinking we could Skype call and go on a virtual wine tour together.”
- You could even say, “I bought this new Merlot that I’m dying to try. Would you want to pick up a bottle and try it with me? We could meet up for a call on Google Duo.”
- If you’re calling your date on Zoom, set your virtual background to a vineyard to really set the mood.

7

Arrange a movie night.

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Treat your video date like a classic night at the movies. Queue up a movie on Netflix and invite your date to tune in using the Teleparty add-on. While this technically isn’t a “video” date, you’ll get plenty of one-on-one time together during your virtual movie night.^{[11]
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- You could say, “A new movie just dropped on Netflix yesterday. Wanna watch it with me tomorrow night?”
- If your date has a Hulu account, you could set up a virtual movie night with the Hulu Watch Party feature. Disney Plus also has a “GroupWatch” feature for members.^{[12]
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8

Plan a virtual game night.

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Games are a great way to bond with your date. Suggest some online games to your significant other, like Jackbox Party Packs or an online board game, like Clue or Monopoly. The Houseparty app is another great way to have lots of virtual fun with your date. You could say:^{[13]
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- “Up for a game of virtual Monopoly tonight? We could make it a date.”
- “Wanna play Jackbox tonight? I can stream it on Zoom.”

9

Organize a get-to-know-you night.

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Icebreakers and video dates go hand in hand. Search online to find some fun “get to know you” questions, like “Are you a dog or cat person?” or “What’s your favorite pizza topping?”^{[14]
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Research source} Then, invite your date to a fun, virtual night of silly questions and surprisingly deep thinking.
- You could say, “Hey! I’ve really enjoyed talking to you over the past few days. Are you free for a video call this weekend? I’d love to get to know you better.”
- You might suggest, “I found this ridiculous list of ‘would you rather’ questions on Twitter. Want to video call and check them out?”

10

Schedule a virtual museum visit.

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Believe it or not, you can go on a museum date from the comfort of your own home. The world-famous Louvre, J. Paul Getty Museum, Smithsonian, and National Women’s History Museum all offer virtual tours and exhibits.^{[15]
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Research source} For a really intimate date-night experience, share your screen during the video call. This way, you and your date can “tour” the museum at the same time.
- You might suggest, “Wanna go on a video date tonight? You’re one Zoom call away from heading to the Louvre.”

11

Suggest a trip to the zoo.

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Virtual zoo tours make for a memorable night in. If your date is an animal lover, a trip to the zoo could be a great incentive for a video date. Share your screen through a video call, where you and your date can admire baby eagles, polar bears, wolves, and countless other wild animals.^{[16]
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- You can stream virtual zoo tours on YouTube, or watch live wildlife cams.
- You could say, “You free this Friday? I know you’ll be stuck at home, but I was hoping we could check out this virtual zoo tour together.” or “You know what’s better than date night? Date night PLUS baby animals! I found some great videos I can show you over Zoom, if you want.”

12

Coordinate a video concert date.

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You can find lots of concert recordings on YouTube. Ask your date what kind of music they like, and see what search results come up on YouTube. Then, invite them to spend a virtual night in with you, where you can jam out over video chat.^{[17]
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- You could suggest, “I had no idea that Queen’s performance at Wembley Stadium was on YouTube! Wanna give it a watch with me on Skype?”