Based on TikTok’s viral “dating wrapped” trend, which had people sharing hilarious reviews of their dating and sex lives over the course of 2022, it’s been a crazy year for dating. Looking to the year ahead, what can singles expect to see on the dating scene? Here’s what experts from the major dating apps predict will be the top six dating trends for 2023.
- Budget-conscious dates are in - Dinner and drinks can get expensive and with many budgets already being stretched as far as they’ll go, these experts say the amount of money singles are willing to spend on dates is decreasing. A rep from Bumble shares that 57% of their users say they prefer a more low-key and less expensive date than something costly and fancy. Plenty of Fish’s dating expert Kate MacLean agrees, adding that 48% of millennial and Gen Z singles want more affordable date ideas rather than flashy ones.
- Non-monogamy is on the rise - Logan Ury, Hinge’s director of relationship science, reports that 15% of their Gen Z users and 15% of those who identify as LGBTQ+ say they’re open to non-monogamy. Bumble’s numbers suggest the same, with 16% of the app’s respondents saying they’re also willing to explore non-monogamy for the first time.
- More women are making the first move - It seems women are moving to take their power back in 2023, especially when it comes to dating. According to Michael Kaye, head of global communications at OkCupid, 80% of their female users said they would send the first message, and those that do get 55% more likes and nearly 60% more matches than those who don’t make the first move.
- Sober dates are sexy - We’ll be seeing more dry dates in 2023, these experts predict. Three-quarters of Hinge users say they no longer want first dates that involve drinking, but would rather do activities that boost a sense of connection and let them really get to know the other person. It’s the same for Tinder users, with 72% of them noting in their profiles that they don’t drink or only do so occasionally.
- This may be the year for situationships - Tinder’s experts say more singles are looking at the term “situationship” as a valid way to describe their connections and there was a 22% increase in users including it in their bios.
- Emotional vulnerability is more important than ever - Bumble reports that 74% of male users claim they’ve looked at their behavior and now understand toxic masculinity more than ever. On Hinge, 93% of users say they look for emotional vulnerability in a partner and 61% say it’s more important to them than things like income, height or attractiveness.
Source: Women's Health