What is called dating in nowadays?

Meeting someone in a public place for food, drinks, dancing, movies, etc.

These days for some people, dating is exclusively online, thanks to the pandemic.

Connecting with a genuine and real person and setting up a meet and greet , just to see if there is compatibility....or it could be a real date ... like .... November 1st !!!

outing and meeting with a small romance

Dating now adays is called to get money, sex and pleasure, that's reality.... But dating for me is knowing each other, if the feeling is mutual then soon it will ended it up in a relationship..

just lifting of two legs

Call me old fashion but the purpose of "Courting" is to find your life partner.
Taking your time to be authentic and get to know someone in there good and bad times. To see if this is Queen/King material. Non sexual conversation and events.
Maybe the world has switched to "Dating" as a change in how to conduct their purpose. What I call playing house because you really don't get to know the other before acting married and then wonder why it doesn't work out.
I get wanting not to be alone and having someone who cares,show affection physically, but not settle down quality, but what do you call that situation. (Dating) Just asking.

Dating . This term is essentially the same a "Seeing Someone "with a Purpose in Mind.

So, you have been on this site for 5 years and you don't know what "Dating" is?

“Dating” means you're going on dates. You are actively getting out there and meeting people and spending time with them. “Dating someone” means you're seeing somebody specific, with purpose and on a regular basis. ... You're spending time with a person (or persons) in hopes of finding a committed relationship.
Dating is a stage of romantic relationships practiced in Western societies whereby two people meet socially with the aim of each assessing the other's suitability as a prospective partner in a future intimate relationship.
One of the main purposes of dating is for two or more people to evaluate one another's suitability as a long term companion or spouse. Often physical characteristics, personality, financial status, and other aspects of the involved persons are judged and, as a result, feelings can be hurt and confidence shaken.

Personally I believe there are two kinds of dating.

Formal Dating
To me, is when you dress up and wine and dine, see a movie or a play and return to your homes at the end of the date. People are on their best behavior, use formal manners and conduct themselves in a formal way in an attempt to impress their date.

Informal Dating
I personally prefer to have spontaneous, unscripted 'dates'.
This is where the two get together and go do something.
You wear what you feel comfortable wearing and you act naturally according to your personality.
You experience each other being yourselves.
You don't worry about the lil things and the focus of the date is to have fun together.
If you get hungry, you go find something to eat.
If you get tired, you take a break and talk a bit (about whatever comes up).
If it isn't working, you part ways, graciously.
If it is working and you both enjoy each other's company, you make a plan to do it again.

Why informal dating works
Since it is unscripted and natural, the real you shines thru.
There's no pressure or concern that you're doing it wrong because you are just being you, not a scripted robot.
Seeing the the other person as they really are helps you to get to know them, instead of their idea of who they want you to think they are.

Meeting someone on social media or in real and then making it official in front of your friends and families.

People don't have own time,
So Whts'up Dating line.........
Stay Active in Life, Act Smartly
Be cool not fool.
Beware in dating line too.

Meet someone in real life, know more about the person and see if you enjoy the company and see if there is sparks between each other... That's dating for me...

Dating: to regularly spend time with someone you have a romantic relationship with. - taken from the Cambridge Dictionary.

It can mean different things to different people. If you are looking for monogamous romantic dating which may lead to a serious relationship such as marriage, then in my opinion it's better to make sure your partner is looking for the same.

Gold ^^^^

to me dating involves a meet and greet of two people of the opposite sex, for the mutual benefit of seeing if there is chemistry , in order to move forward!!!!

it is a meeting of people with some purpose, relationship