The future of love: Gen Z will find happiness away from dating apps!

The future of love: Gen Z will find happiness away from dating apps!

The future of dating is changing dramatically, and traditional dating apps like Tinder and Bumble need to warm up. According to a report by oe24 Generation Z is increasingly interested in pursuing romantic relationships through platforms not originally intended for dating. Online communities such as Strava or Letterboxd, where users share common interests such as sports or films, are particularly coming into focus. These platforms offer a more relaxing atmosphere and reduce the pressure of having to find a partner. This is causing a decline in active users on traditional dating apps - 79 percent of US students are no longer regularly active on these platforms, according to an Axios study. This shows that the longing for authentic connections is growing.

The new requirements for finding a partner

The results of a global survey of over 40,000 Bumble users confirm this trend. How Bumble reports, modern singles want more emotional exchange and are clearer about what they want in a relationship. Almost two thirds of the women surveyed (64%) stated that they clearly formulate their expectations and will not settle for anything less. 2025 will therefore be a year of transition in which people will increasingly rely on romance, transparency and support from their circle of friends to successfully date. The return to romance is clear: More than half of the women surveyed describe themselves as romantics, and 52 percent would like more small, loving gestures instead of large, opulent expressions of love.

The study also shows that dating is transforming into a new reality format. A significant portion of users (41%) express a desire for authenticity when searching for a partner, while different niches and interests become crucial factors for attraction. Sports and book clubs are gaining ground, and it is becoming clear that personal interests are changing dating. 95 percent of singles are worried about their future, which affects their desires for a relationship — emotionally stable partners who know what they want are at the top of the wish list. Conversations about shared visions of the future are also finding their place earlier and earlier in the dating process, which shows that today's generation is taking a more realistic and authentic approach.