A Bold Statement with Some Truth
As bold as this statement sounds, it contains a great deal of truth. Rough calculations show that as of 2025, there are between 500 million and one billion active dating app profiles.
Suppose all those profiles found a match over the next few days and disappeared from the dating stage. The effect would be catastrophic not only for the companies behind Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, Bumble, etc., but also for the global economy.
Conversely, if dating apps were truly designed to keep people single rather than matching them up, this truth could not have remained hidden for so long.
Who Uses Dating Apps?
To understand their design and purpose, let’s explore the different social groups that use dating apps regularly and how successful they are in finding matches.
Gen Zers
Dating apps are still popular among people born between 1997 and 2012. Tinder recently announced that 40% of its active users belong to this age group.
Globally, between 40% and 60% of Gen Zers admit to having tried a dating app at some point in their life.
On the whole, the youngest players in the dating field have a more direct approach to online matchmaking: a simple Google document linked to their social media accounts reveals their romantic experiences, expectations, and preferences.
Generation Z’s slight withdrawal from dating apps suggests they prefer more organic, direct interactions. However, this does not mean they’ve uncovered a hidden flaw in the apps’ design.
Many Gen Z users now explore romantic connections on platforms like Instagram and Discord, where interactions feel more authentic. This behavior shows they’re blending social platforms with dating intentions, rather than abandoning dating apps altogether.
Single Moms and Dads
Dating people with kids is challenging. Their personal lives are mostly devoted to their children's well-being, often putting their own romantic needs second.
When they do manage to schedule a date, it’s common for them to keep one eye on their phone in case something arises at home.
The Unsung Heroes of Our Time
According to Pew Research Center, a quarter of all US children under 18 are growing up in single-parent households.
Single moms and dads deserve credit not only for their parenting but for their persistence in seeking connection. Sometimes, they simply need a safe digital space to explore romance—or even just a place to talk.
That’s where apps like Stir come in. Launched with the needs of single parents in mind, Stir eliminates the anxiety of “when should I share that I have kids?” from the dating process.
Unlike typical platforms, Stir builds empathy into its design. It encourages transparency and reduces the stigma around solo parenting. This more supportive experience often leads to better matches and healthier conversations.
Senior Citizens
The film About Schmidt (2002) posed a poignant question: What happens when a partner passes away just after retirement begins?
The honest answer is: life continues.
But unlike Schmidt, today’s seniors are more digitally connected and open to online dating. As of 2025, 26% of all active dating app users worldwide are over 50.
Apps like Silver Singles, OurTime, and Senior Match are designed specifically for older adults. These platforms prioritize compatibility, values, and companionship over casual encounters.
Many seniors are not seeking lifelong commitments—they’re seeking someone who listens, shares stories, or enjoys a walk in the park. Dating apps are enabling this later-life connection in a meaningful way.
Dating App Matching Rates
Nearly 70% of individuals who met someone through a dating app in the past year say the connection turned into a romantic relationship. However, 28% did not have such success.
As of 2025, Tinder makes one match for every 140 swipes. If someone uses the app daily, they can expect around 15 matches per month—roughly one every other day.
This steady but slow rate of success is by design. The structure of swipe-based apps is meant to be engaging, much like a game. It provides enough reward to keep users hopeful, but not so much that they leave the platform quickly.
That’s where business goals come into play. The more time users spend on an app, the more likely they are to use paid features—like boosts, super likes, and subscriptions. These monetization models depend on extended user engagement, not immediate exits from the dating scene.
Conclusion: The Paradox of the Swipe
Dating apps have changed the way the world connects. They are not malicious in intent, but they are businesses. Their success depends on users returning consistently—not just finding love once and leaving.
These platforms do enable matches, and many people have found genuine connections through them. But the experience is engineered to be cyclical, not final.
The takeaway is this: use dating apps as tools—not destinations. Understand how they work, why they’re designed the way they are, and make mindful choices. True connection may still come from swipes—but it’s what happens after the match that truly matters.
