Plenty of Fish 2026 Dating Trends

Have you ever dismissed someone who didn’t check every box—only to later wonder what might’ve been? Plenty of Fish’s 2026 trends suggest many singles are doing just that. Their new report, based on a survey of nearly 6,000 U.S. members, spotlights how dating is shifting toward authenticity, spontaneity, and embracing surprises.

What’s Changing: 5 Trend Terms to Know

Plenty of Fish has coined new terms to describe how singles will date in 2026—language that reveals not just behavior, but mindset. Here are the top shifts to keep in mind:

• ChemRIZZtry: That flash of unexpected chemistry. One in four singles say they've felt attracted to someone they didn’t expect.
• Love-loreing: Dating “for the plot”—over a third (37%) have accepted a date simply to see how the story unfolds.
• Curveball-crushing: Breaking type boundaries. About 42% report having been drawn to someone outside their usual “type.”
• Truecasting: Showing your real self from day one. One in four singles say they prefer authenticity over curated facades.
• StatuS-flexing: Moving away from ambiguity. Whether casually dating (64%), going exclusive (30%), or labeling it (62%), singles want clarity.

These aren’t just trendy buzzwords—they’re micro shifts in how we think about connection. They show people are ready to drop rigid checklists and lean into vulnerability, surprise, and identity. And if you tuned into dating trends last year, this evolution tracks well with what came before: pop culture influences, social media storytelling, and a hunger for meaning over perfection.

How to Use These Trends as Dating Strategy—not a Buzzkill

You don’t have to wait until 2026 to start dating differently. Here are actionable ways to lean into these trends now:

• Be open to chemistry surprises. If someone doesn’t immediately match your “type,” don’t swipe left just yet—give them a chance to surprise you.
• Say “yes” more often. Love-loreing encourages accepting invitations for the experience, not just the expectation of a match.
• Let go of rigid criteria. Curveball-crushing is an invitation to expand your view—quirks, weirdness, divergence can become sparks.
• Lead with truth. Truecasting means skipping the filter and sharing small, honest details about yourself early on.
• Be fearless in labeling. If you feel something real, don’t wait—statuS-flexing is making naming the relationship okay again.

Of course, trends don’t override your personal needs. Use these terms as creative vocabulary, not rules. If someone’s transparency feels rushed, back up. If chemistry fizzles, move on. But if a profile gives subtle clues rather than polished perfection, it might be worth a pause. In a dating world leaning into surprise and sincerity, you might discover connections you never expected.

This was POFs 9th report on trends, we have discussed previous trends from Plenty of Fish as well. For more on the dating service that produced this study, check our our POF review.