Tinder Study Finds Gen Z is Changing Dating Culture

According to a new study from Tinder, Gen Z singles say that they are changing a lot of the norms surrounding dating and relationships that were popular with previous generations.

The Future of Dating Report found that 75 percent of Gen Z respondents feel that they are challenging these norms that were “passed down to them,” according to Mashable. Tinder also noted that Gen Z, specifically users aged 18 to 25, make up more than half of its user base.

For one, Gen Z daters choose to respond quickly to messages as opposed to previous generations who would delay for fear of looking too eager. Instead of waiting for “the perfect time” to respond, 77 percent of Tinder users now respond to a match within 30 minutes, and 40 percent respond within five minutes, according to Relevant Magazine.

Ghosting is also decreasing among younger daters. According to the report, 18 to 25 year-olds are 32 percent less likely to ghost someone than people over the age of 33. This practice used to be common among singles, even just a few years ago.

Eighty percent of Gen Z respondents said that authenticity was the top quality they seek in a partner, closely followed by loyalty (79 percent) and respect (78 percent). Self-care is an important factor as well, with 75 percent of Gen Z respondents agreeing that they find a match more attractive if they are open to working on their mental health. In stark contrast with previous generations, only 56 percent agreed that physical appearance matters.

Sobriety is also an important factor for Gen Z, so they are planning dates that don’t involve meeting for drinks. As Tinder’s report points out, clear judgment plays a factor in authenticity while dating, and over 72 percent of its users state on their profile that they don’t drink or only drink occasionally.

Millennials agree that dating culture is shifting, and for the better. Over 50 percent said that they felt dating was healthier for Gen Z daters than when they were that age. 73 percent of Millennials aged 33 to 38 said that “playing hard to get” or “giving mixed signals” were considered normal when they were in their early twenties.

"In 2023, Tinder is largely used by Gen Z. This is a group that continues to influence society and challenge constrictive norms in the most profound of ways. No other generation has made such a huge impact on the workplace, retail consumption, technology, politics and culture," says Faye Iosotaluno, COO at Tinder. "It is this generation that we believe are driving the most change that we’ve ever seen in how we date, who we date and what dating actually is."

“A Renaissance in Dating, Driven by Authenticity” is the second Future of Dating Report from Tinder. The original report, published in 2021, shared new dating trends resulting from the pandemic.

For more on this dating service that brought us this study, check out our Tinder review. To read the study check out Tinder's hosted copy or our own.