For the last decade, dating apps have been the way to meet. But now, users are in decline and stocks are down. Are dating apps dead? And what will replace them?

An Industry in Decline

The number of active users for dating apps worldwide is down from 287 million in 2020 to 237 million in 2023. It’s showing in the stocks of dating app companies — some are down over 90%.

Certain apps are faring better than others. Tinder, the crown jewel of Match Group and the largest dating app in the world, has stopped growing. Hinge however, also owned by Match Group, is up 48%.

Why Aren’t People Swiping?

People are exhausted by dating apps. They can be a lot of work — countless swipes, a smaller number of matches, a handful of those converting to dates, and most of those dates not working out.

Women in particular are deleting the apps. 79% of women say they have no interest in using them in the future.

Dating fatigue goes way beyond apps. More and more singles have given up on dating altogether. 50% of singles aren’t dating at all, according to a survey by Pew Research.

Of all my unattached friends, not a single one of them dates, ever. Nor do they have any interest in doing so.

They’re in their 30’s and early 40’s, and they’ve built lives they’re happy with. To them, dating sounds exhausting and pointless.

My Experience With the Apps

As a single guy, I use the apps myself. If you’re a man in the New York City area, it’s like drinking from a fire hose.

In just the last couple days, I got 9 matches. My phone pings over and over with messages from different women, despite your humble blogger being thoroughly unremarkable. 😉

Nearly all are attractive. Many are much younger than I. But I only have time to meet a tiny fraction of them.

This surely leads to a frustrating experience for many girls. Even a very attractive girl may struggle to get a date, much less a relationship.

There’s also the paradox of choice. Infinite options make it harder to choose anything.

After all, who knows what else is out there?

It doesn’t surprise me that Hinge is doing better than Tinder. Tinder is filled with women in Thailand and Kenya trying to meet Americans.

Meanwhile, Hinge has women who actually live here. When friends ask me which app is best, I always go with Hinge.

What’s Replacing Dating Apps

So if the apps are dying, what will replace them? Increasingly, I think dating apps will be replaced by just not dating at all.

I see it among my friends. It’s kind of startling to watch, but people withdrawing from dating altogether for many years is becoming commonplace.

This may mean that people spend more time on social media or playing video games. Or perhaps they’ll put that energy into offline hobbies like hiking or camping.

For those still looking for a date, in person is beating the apps.

The NYC area is full of run clubs. Some seem to just run a block or so to a bar and hang out. But after years of pandemic isolation, I think that’s great!

With people looking to connect more in person, it’s no wonder that apps for live events are doing well. Luma is suddenly everywhere, and I’m sure many more live event apps will follow.

Wrap-Up

I find dating apps give me what I want. But my opinion is increasingly a minority one.

More folks are ditching the apps and joining a run club. And I think that’s great! Meeting in person is ideal.

As an investor, I’m not the least bit excited about dating apps.

It seems like a dying category. I want to invest in growing areas, not moribund ones.

I think that in 10 years, we’ll see more people embracing the single life. Those that want to date will meet increasingly IRL.

That sounds like a great future!

Are you on the apps? If so, what has your experience been like? If not, why not?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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