How Gen Z is dating, according to a new Hinge report

Gen Z singles are dealing with lingering social effects from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new data from Hinge.

Gen Z daters, or those who were born between 1997 and 2012, are 47% more likely than millennial daters to say the pandemic made them nervous talking to people, according to Hinge’s new Gen Z D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, and Expertise) report, which is based on a survey of more than 15,000 daters. The young singles are also a quarter more likely to say the pandemic made them less confident on a first date. “Even now, several years after we first heard the word Covid, the pandemic continues to impact how Gen Z socializes,” the report said.

That’s partly manifested in a fear of rejection that’s stopping them from going after what they want. More than half of Gen Z Hinge users said that a fear of rejection has held them back from pursuing a romantic interest. Additionally, 44% of Gen Z Hinge daters have little to no dating experience. “Daters are tiptoeing around direct communication to avoid coming off as cringey or overeager,” the Hinge report said. “They’re hiding behind memes and jokes, rather than sharing genuine feelings or intentions.”

This hasn’t impacted Hinge’s top line. The platform’s direct revenue increased 40% year over year to $396 million in 2023, according to its parent company, Match Group. Hinge downloads also topped 15 million, which is up nearly 40% from the same time a year ago.

The dating giant did provide some tips for users who want to get closer with others. Moe Ari Brown, Hinge’s love and connection expert, outlined four strategies for building so-called rejection resilience: making sure internal thoughts about rejection are compassionate toward yourself; not assigning blame for misalignment; focusing on your standards; and shifting your focus to being “mutually choosy” rather than wanting to be “picked.”

https://www.fastcompany.com/91021664/how-gen-z-is-dating-according-to-a-new-hinge-report?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss