Eye-Opening Online Dating Statistics to Know in 2025

Age plays a major role in online dating trends—influencing everything from app engagement to matchmaking success. Younger adults still dominate the space, while older users seem to face some unique challenges. 

Here’s how the numbers break down:

• Younger users lead the way: 53% of younger adults, especially those under 30, report that they’ve used dating apps, making them the largest demographic.
• Older adults are less active: Only 13% of individuals aged 65 and older report that they have engaged with dating platforms.
• Tinder attracts the younger demographic: 79% of Tinder users are under 30, shaping a youth-driven experience.
• Age bias in algorithms: The youth-centric approach often results in algorithms and age biases that disadvantage older users, who may encounter higher subscription fees and a reduced number of matches. Despite these obstacles, older users may leverage their life experiences to foster deeper connections.
• Changing preferences: In terms of generation-specific preferences, Gen Z women are showing a split in age preferences—some prefer partners of the same age, while others favor older men, indicating a shift in traditional dating norms. What’s more, nearly 63% of users no longer consider age a crucial factor in dating.
• Real connections happen: One in every ten partnered adults met their significant other through a dating site or app, highlighting the growing role of digital matchmaking.

With nearly 30% of U.S. adults engaging with dating websites or apps, the online dating market continues to grow, underscoring the need for diverse user experiences. And if there’s one thing that’s clear from these insights, it’s that there’s a need for inclusive designs that cater to all age groups. 

App Makers LA can help you develop a dating app that bridges the generational gap, delivering a better experience for every user. Get in touch with us today—let’s build an app that welcomes everyone.

While online dating has revolutionized how people connect, gender differences that can be seen in app usage reveal some unique patterns and preferences: 

Women primarily look for serious relationships, while men often look for casual connections.

Besides different dating goals and motivations, here are some other key findings: 

• Higher male engagement: Men use dating apps more frequently, keep accounts active longer, and engage more through messages and profile views.
• Who pays for premium? A larger percentage of men invest in paid features compared to women.
• Frustration and safety concerns: Women report higher levels of frustration (43%) and disrespect (35%)—especially on apps like Tinder, where unwanted sexual advances are relatively common, experienced by 70% of women—which directly impacts their dating intentions and experiences on these apps. Social anxiety and fear were higher among women, too.
• Profile differences: When creating their profiles, men prioritize status-related information such as income and occupation, while women focus on diverse details like interests, children, and include more photos to improve visual appeal.
• Perception shifts: For women, the addition of text in online dating profiles had a more significant impact on the attractiveness ratings of male profiles they viewed, indicating a difference in how women and men perceive profile details.

The App Makers LA team specializes in user-driven app development. Let’s create something that meets these diverse preferences!

In addition to gender differences in app usage, there’s another intriguing aspect of online dating that emerges here—how sexual orientation impacts platform preferences. LGB users seem to engage with dating apps differently than their heterosexual counterparts, often favoring niche platforms that cater to their specific needs.

Here are some key highlights:

• Platform preferences: Tinder appeals broadly to LGB women, with 60% reporting using it—while Grindr remains the primary platform for 62% of LGB men. Grindr and HER are tailored specifically for LGB users, resulting in minimal use by non-LGB individuals.
• Demographic trends: A larger proportion of LGB adults (51%) have used dating apps, compared to their straight peers (28%).
• Age impact: The activity levels among younger LGB users (18–49) are notably higher (54%) than that of older groups—39% for LGB users ages 50–64 and 30% for users 65 and older.
• Overall diversity: As of June 2024, 81% of those using online dating services in the U.S. have self-identified as heterosexual, showcasing the diversity within the user base.
• Early adoption trends: Surprisingly, preteen boys are nearly three times more likely to engage in online dating than girls and 25% are sexual minorities, indicating gender-specific trends even at a young age.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for designing dating apps that foster inclusivity and meet the needs of diverse communities.

Marital status plays a significant role in shaping online dating behaviors, influencing everything from app adoption to relationship outcomes. 

Here’s how different groups engage with dating platforms: 

• Never-married users lead the way: Individuals who've never married are more inclined to use online dating platforms, with 52% having tried them—often in search of long-term relationships or friendships.
• Divorced and separated users: Those who are divorced or separated tend to prioritize casual connections over marriage.
• Married users on dating apps? Surprisingly, a significant portion of married users (73.4%) report using dating apps, although only 16% have previously engaged with them.
• Younger married adults (under 50) show a 26% adoption rate, indicating a growing trend in this demographic.
• Higher divorce rates: Research indicates that online-origin marriages have a divorce rate six times higher than those who meet through family or friends.
• Burnout is real: 80% of long-term users report emotional burnout, while another 34% in the 25-34 age group admitted that it contributed to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

These insights are a clear indicator that intentions and levels of engagement tend to differ based on marital status, too.

Education level plays a significant role in online dating, influencing engagement levels and user experiences across different platforms. 

While dating apps cater to a broad audience and studies haven’t found evidence of educational assortative mating on Tinder, individuals with a college education tend to see higher interaction rates and better success in forming connections.

Meanwhile, those with only a high school diploma might encounter certain challenges, typically experiencing less interest than their college-educated peers.  

College-Educated Users and Dating Success

Online dating has become a popular avenue for degree holders, with 35% of U.S. adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher having tried these platforms. Research also indicates that higher education and income levels correlate with increased attention on dating profiles.

College-educated users are actively engaging with these platforms, leading to notable patterns:

• Higher engagement: A substantial majority, 84%, of degree holders pursue dates with online matches, surpassing their less-educated counterparts. What’s more, online dating has resulted in committed relationships or marriages for 39% of users. 
• Partner preferences: There’s a strong inclination to match with fellow degree holders, with 74% of users expressing a preference for educational parity. Furthermore, 75% of users prefer to match with and date intellectual superiors, underscoring the importance of intellectual compatibility in successful online relationships. 
• Focus on shared values: 37% of college students report they prioritize beliefs when choosing potential partners, indicating the growing importance of shared values in the dating landscape.
• Platform success: Online dating apps like eHarmony and Match effectively cater to the needs of educated users, enhancing their match potential.

This trend not only highlights a shift in social interactions but also emphasizes the role of digital platforms in facilitating meaningful connections for educated individuals.

The Online Dating Experience for High School Graduates

Education is often said to open doors—and in terms of online dating, it significantly influences user experiences and engagement levels. 

In fact, high school graduates are generally less active on dating apps compared to those with higher education. Men with high school diplomas, in particular, may struggle to attract attention, as profile visibility is often enhanced by a combination of education and income.

Other key insights include:

• Message overload for women: While women generally receive more messages and attention regardless of their educational background, those without a higher education may find the volume overwhelming.
• Limited access to premium features: Financial limitations often deter high school graduates from investing in premium features, which affects their overall experience.
• Social risks for younger users: Early adolescents with limited dating experience face unique challenges and increased risks in online interactions, emphasizing the need for digital safety features. Research indicates that, among early adolescents, online dating can be associated with disparities based on gender and sexual orientation.

App Makers LA specializes in developing tailored app features that improve satisfaction and engagement for all users, ensuring a more inclusive and rewarding online dating experience. Let’s build something that works for everyone.

Understanding which dating platforms attract different demographics is key for app developers, especially those looking to compete in the online dating space. 

By recognizing various user preferences, age trends, and engagement patterns, you can create experiences tailored to specific audiences.

Here's a breakdown:

• Age preferences: 
  • Tinder is particularly popular among young adults—users aged 18-29. 
  • Match.com is gaining traction among adults aged 50 and above; they make up 26.5% of the platform’s user base. 
  • Over 50% of adults aged 18-29 report that they’ve used a dating app or website, indicating a strong adoption rate among younger generations. 
  • Additionally, 52% of online daters aged 55-64 have used dating apps, showing a notable increase in usage among older demographics. 
  • Around 14% of U.S. adults have used Tinder, highlighting its dominance across various age groups, with adults under 30 being five times more likely to use this platform. 

• Gender differences: 
  • Men engage with dating apps more frequently than women.
  • Tinder, in particular, has a significantly larger male user base; 75% of users are male.

• Sexual orientation: 
  • Individuals identifying as LGBTQ are more inclined to use dating apps and often report greater success in forming committed relationships.

These insights help shape smarter, more user-focused app development strategies. 

By taking the time to understand demographic trends, App Makers LA can assist you in building a dating platform that truly resonates with its target audience.

What drives people to use dating apps? 

Understanding user motivations is key to designing platforms that meet real needs and keep users engaged. It’s clear that users are drawn to these platforms for various relational goals: 

While some seek meaningful relationships, others use these apps for entirely different reasons, but satisfaction is highest when both parties share the same goal.

Here are some key motivations that can be identified among dating app users: 

• Intrapersonal needs: Many users—28% of men and 23% of women—turn to dating apps to boost self-worth, improve social skills, or simply feel a sense of validation.
• Escaping loneliness: Some engage with dating apps as a temporary distraction and an escape from loneliness, even though underlying mental health challenges complicate the experience.
• Entertainment factor: The gamified nature of swiping, combined with the excitement of swiping and the minimal barrier to entry, encourages up to 23% of users to return—even when they’re not actively looking for a partner.
• Existing relationships: Nearly two-thirds of dating app users were already married or in a relationship, which indicates that dating apps serve purposes beyond just finding new partners.

Recognizing this wide range of motivations people have allows developers to create more engaging and purpose-driven experiences. 

App Makers LA helps build platforms that align with real user behaviors, ensuring your platform stands out in a competitive market. Let’s chat about your vision.

Relationships formed through online dating come with their own unique blend of satisfaction and challenges. While the so-called online-origin marriages may report slightly lower satisfaction and long-term stability, many still lead to positive experiences. 

Here’s what the data reveals:

• Demographics: Younger users and those with more dating experience are more likely to pursue online relationships. There’s also a notable increase in same-sex and interracial unions among couples who meet online.
• Perception: A significant portion of Americans—54%—believe that online and offline relationships are equally successful. However, societal stigma and lack of support from family or friends can impact individual relationship satisfaction.
• Communication: Online dating encourages early conversations about sensitive topics, helping partners align expectations. However, proactive communication with this level of early disclosure may unintentionally contribute to instability in some cases.