"That's the Way Love Goes" has been recorded by artists such as Bruno Mars and NSYNC, cited as an influence by Britney Spears and Nelly Furtado, and inspired or been sampled in songs by Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child and Hikaru Utada.

He added, "Its mid-tempo, James Brown and The Honey Drippers sampling groove manages to go hard and stay cool at the same time, while Janet's delicately wanton vocal and lyrics drip with sensuality.

[16] The song was considered one of several which displayed how Jackson "blossomed into a beautiful young woman," described as "a slow burn of a groove led by her sensual whisper," complete with "slinky guitars" revealing a hidden side of her persona.

"[20] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly described it as "gently percolating pop" and "easygoing", with another critique stating "the sexy lyrical composition blends well with the seductively arranged harmony of the song.

[27] Pan-European magazine Music & Media commented that "romance is back, and so is Janet, who writes the handbook of love on a beat similar to Charles & Eddie's Would I Lie To You.

"[28] Alan Jones from Music Week deemed it an "insidious cool tempo Jam/Lewis track [that] weaves an intricate melody, at once maddeningly commercial and yet unbelievably delicate.

"[29] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday declared "After two straight smash albums and a dozen immediate hits, Jackson takes a left turn," ultimately "focusing on vibe and groove and making the most of her voice.

To build anticipation, a promotional advertisement was aired on music channels for several weeks prior to the video's premiere, depicting Jackson narrating and introducing her dancers from behind a camera lens.

[45] The video is iconic within popular culture, being the first glimpse of Jackson's seductive and adult image, in contrast to the bulky uniforms and military ensemble she was previously known for.

The transition first began with prior video "Love Will Never Do (Without You)," portraying Jackson's newly-svelte figure and midriff-baring style, becoming her trademark image and iconic within entertainment.

Maureen Sajbel of The LA Times stated Jackson abandoned "the masculine clothes," becoming "refined and softened to a model-perfect feminine image."

"[26] Entertainment Weekly declared it Jackson's earliest foray into being "not just a cherubic pop star but a confident, self-sufficient, and sexy grown-up," calling the "slinky, body-revealing" video "the first volley.

"[50] PopMatters commended its choreography as "sinuous seduction" and praised its concept, saying "the video for "That's the Way Love Goes" once again showcases Janet and her friends, but this time the portrait is much more sensual and relaxed.

Described as "just a bunch of ladies, kicking it in Janet's loft, dancing around to music", the clip was praised as "all at once golden" for Jackson's "power of seemingly limitless charisma, especially when metered out and not unleashed full-force."

The publication concluded "And yet: Janet oozes sexuality as she dances with the ladies around the apartment, leaning on walls, looking up at the ceiling, possibly thinking thoughts about her then-husband René Elizondo Jr."[54] Robert Christgau considered it among Jackson's videos which displayed "a gender equality that's almost progressive by video's pitiful male-chauvinist standards" due to Jackson's dominance over her male counterparts, in which two male dancers compete for her and seven female dancer's attention.

"[23] On Number Ones, Up Close and Personal, a review stated "In fact, the more blissful the hook, the tighter she wrapped the song around her - somehow squeezing the breezy sensuality out of "That's the Way Love Goes" without suffocating it.

It was considered an alternative to popular radio trends and essential part of Jackson's artistic growth, signifying a massive shift in her music and image.

Billboard praised its structure and longevity, saying "That indelible refrain: "Like a moth to a flame / burned by the fire / my love is blind / can't you see my desire?"

With its laid-back beat and Jackson's sultry- sweet vocals, it doesn't get you excited as much as puts a smile on your face, which may explain why it was never grating despite its omnipresence.

Slant Magazine praised it as a "subtler alternative" to radio trends by artists such as Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, adding "with its measured hip-hop loop and titular one-line hook, the song was sleek, smart, and sexy—everything you didn't expect from the lead single from a Janet album.

"[78] Heidi-Siegmund Cuda of The New York Times declared the song to have a profound effect in clubs, saying "love was in the air, as couples lapped it up and slinked along to the beat."

[76] An additional evaluation called its release "strategic timing," commending Jackson's attempt to "urge the label to go with something that was romantic, grown and laid-back" rather than leading "with a big dance record", declaring it "at a minimum, a genius move."

Jackson's "broad appeal" allowed the song to thrive on pop, urban, and adult contemporary formats, adding "It still sounds fresh to this day, and I'd be willing to bet that people who aren't even die-hard Janet fans have always been in love with this single.

[88] A lyric comparable to the song's introduction was noted in Madonna's "Turn Up the Radio,"[89] with similar opening lines also used in Wynter Gordon's "Stimela" and Jennifer Lopez's "Step Into My World."

[95] Jackson has evoked the song's feel in several recordings, with People Magazine describing several cuts on Damita Jo reminiscent of its "lush sensual rush".

BuzzFeed likened the overall feel of Jhené Aiko's debut EP Sail Out to the "kickback" ambiance of the "That's the Way Love Goes" video, "but while sitting in clouds of smoke rather than dancing.

[106] Jessi Malay cited Jackson's "confident, sexy" and "in control" image in the video as an influence, saying "Janet is a female artist who has gotten the message out that you can be a commanding woman without losing your femininity and sexuality.

[108] The locale in an episode of American Horror Story: Coven titled "Fried Chicks" was likened to the video, with Vulture.com saying "Fiona is having her hair done on the set of "That's the Way Love Goes".

American boy band 'N Sync covered "That's the Way Love Goes" and released a promotional music video for the song, aired on Jackson's MTV Icon special.

[189] Deborah Cox, Brownstone, Chantay Savage, and Heavy D performed "That's the Way Love Goes" at the Soul Train Music Awards to tribute Jackson.