Embracing Valentine’s Day – Insights from Tinder | 2024
Tinder’s Global Relationship Insight Expert, Paul C. Brunson, shares how to embrace your main character’s energy
There’s no denying that Valentine’s Day is the day for celebrating romance. Tinder, the world’s most popular dating app, confirms that the day is as popular as ever, particularly amongst the new generation of daters. If you thought young singles were more into Galentine’s Day than Valentine’s Day, think again.
In the run-up to Valentine’s Day last year, Tinder saw a 10% increase in overall matches compared to an average day and a 17% increase amongst 18-25-year-old users globally. There was also an increase of 30 million likes sent per day on average with a massive 70% of that increase coming from 18-25 year old users1. There is generally a peak in activity four days before Valentine’s Day as singles take to Tinder to find a match. The busiest hours tend to be between 9 and 10pm2.
“18-25 year olds are embracing Valentine’s Day, but reclaiming romance on their own terms. This generation isn’t afraid to be upfront about what they’re looking for. It’s all about understanding what truly defines you and being unapologetic about it. Keeping an open mind isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a necessity in today’s dating scene – as authenticity paves the way for genuine connections”, says Paul Brunson, Tinder’s Global Relationship Insights Expert.
As illustrated in Tinder’s latest Year in Swipe report, today dating is as much about getting to know yourself better as it is about finding ‘that’ desired human connection. Singles are less concerned with where their relationship is heading and more interested in the process of getting to know someone (and themselves) through dating, by creating memorable experiences and opportunities.
Looking to put your best self forward? Tinder’s Global Relationships Insight Expert, Paul C. Brunson, and renowned matchmaker shares his top three tips to embrace your main character energy this Valentine’s:
- Valentine’s starts with you: 2024 is all about adopting a take-it-or-leave-it attitude, meaning being fine to leave a situation if it means being true to yourself. Take some time to do the homework about yourself and what you’re truly looking for in a potential Valentine’s. It’s true that we get to know ourselves through interactions with others. But it’s good if you’ve really been through your own values and principles before you venture out. Finding someone with the same core values makes it easier to build a sustainable relationship.
- Keep an open mind: No one is perfect, therefore don’t limit who you would be meeting and connecting with by having a huge ‘checklist’. More than ever young singles are embracing being self-aware, open, and fluid about views on gender, dating, and economic status (more so than any previous generation has been). Taking on a more relaxed approach to dating will make it easier to form a meaningful connection. But remember, more relaxed doesn’t equal less serious. Today’s singles are all about showing their true intentions.
- Take the pressure off – it’s not all dinner dates and roses: Rather than feeling obligated to reserve only one specific block of time exclusively for dating, like the traditional dinner date and drinks in the evening, prioritise creativity in your date schedule. Head for a lunch date or a morning coffee with someone – or why not try an activity together such as going to a concert or museum? Going on a relaxed walk with a coffee is guaranteed to take the pressure off both you and your potential date as you do not have to stare at each other – and the surroundings will give you more to talk about.