Thanks to dating apps, finding a 'match' has never been easier, but ironically, as for the actual date part? Not so much. Modern dating has put a world (or at least a healthy offering of geographically convenient) men at our fingertips, but securing a meeting, or even sparking up conversation with them is a pretty elusive prospect. And a new study proves it could all be down to our willingness to make the first move, or lack of, to be precise.

Research from OK Cupid of 70,000 users on their site found that heterosexual women who made the first move were two and a half times more likely to gain a response than a man who messages first.

It's 2016, so we don't need men to pay our way and we roll our eyes at the idea that a woman proposing should only happen on a leap year, but when it comes to the question of making the first move it seems our nerves (is he really interested if he doesn't make a move?) and outdated custom still hold us back.

Further research from proximity-based dating app Happn proves this really is a common theme. It found that half of their female users never make the first move. Whereas men made the first move on 94% of occasions.

This all adds up to the fact that putting ourselves out there can only work in our favour - if nothing else it'll make you stand out from the crowd.

If you need an extra push to be the one to initiate then Bumble is a no-brainer - women must make the first move with a match or they disappear after 24 hours. No pressure.

Why women who make the first move are more successful on dating apps