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40+ Online Dating Statistics in 2024

40+ Online Dating Statistics in 2024

Not finding that special someone at the gym or karaoke night? You’re not alone! As it gets harder to find companionship through traditional methods like friends, family, or work, more and more people are going online for everything from friendships to hookups to long-term relationships.

Not convinced dating apps are for you? You’re not alone there either! The horror stories about scammers, catfish, and just plain old bad dates are enough to make anyone skeptical. Like most modern technological developments, there are pros, cons, and best practices when it comes to online dating, and the landscape changes constantly.

One thing’s for sure. Whether you swipe right or left on dating apps, they aren’t going away anytime soon. Online dating has changed the way people communicate and connect, and it’s important to understand how they work, even if you’ll never use them yourself.

Online Dating through the Years

Online Dating through the Years

Advertising for a partner is nothing new, but computers and smartphones have completely changed dating. Almost as soon as people got their hands on those room-sized IBM mainframes in the 1960s, they used them to find dates. At Harvard and MIT, students created computer-assisted compatibility programs to match suitable partners as dates at dances and other events. The fad lost popularity pretty quickly, but the stage was set for the future.

VCRs were the next technological development to help out singles. In the 1980s, video dating let people interact with potential dates in a new way. Despite the stigma and doubt that surrounded the industry, video dating service Great Expectations was successful for decades, even franchising all over America.

In the 1990s, shortly after the launch of the World Wide Web, several dating websites like Match.com and Kiss.com were founded, which made accessing potential partners easier and more affordable than ever. Social networking sites Friendster and Facebook normalized meeting strangers on the internet, a trend that hasn’t stopped. Websites like OkCupid and Badoo kept the social aspect but focused more on dating.

With the release of the iPhone in 2007, it was only a matter of time before dating sites made their way directly into the hands of lonely singles. The first dating apps were released in 2009, and more are put on the market every year. Match.com, Badoo, and Plenty of Fish were quick to create apps, and other companies like Grindr and Tinder also got in on the action. Today, there are more than 8000 apps to help you find love, sex, and everything in between.

Online Dating: Key Figures in 2024

Online dating’s popularity, revenue, and biggest players in numbers.

1. Online Dating’s Growth in Popularity

Global total number of dating app users, 2015-2022

Online dating is extremely popular with nearly 340 million users around the world. But what’s driving the current uptake in online dating apps?

Changing perceptions of online dating may be one reason why apps are now seeing such widespread success. Almost half of Tinder users say their main motivation for downloading the app is that it’s popular. This represents a big shift from the stigma met by users of early newspaper ads in the 17th and 18th centuries, and even video daters in the 1990s.

Online dating’s current trajectory looks set to continue. Experts believe that by the year 2027, over 440 million people worldwide will be using dating apps, and I wouldn’t be surprised one bit.

2. Popular Dating Apps

Most downloaded dating apps in 2022

Tinder wasn’t the first dating app, but it is the most downloaded. By marketing itself to young adults, the company has tapped into a demographic no other dating site has managed to capture quite as well. Tinder’s genius branding and simple, fun swipe feature have turned dating into a game, which is just what its target audience needed.

The mobile dating giant is not without competition, though. Ex-Tinder co-founder Whitney Wolfe Herd left the company to create Bumble, a “feminist dating app” that allows women to make the first move. It also has modes for friendships and networking, attracting many Tinder users who are looking for more than a quick hookup.

Badoo holds its ground against Tinder, especially in Europe, though it never really caught on in the US. While the industry is dominated by a few key players, there are so many people using dating apps that even OkCupid, with a tiny market share, gets nearly 450,000 downloads a month.

3. The Dating App Market Isn’t *Quite* a Monopoly

10 of match group's biggest brands

Tired of Tinder and want to spend your dollars on a different dating app? If you use Hinge, OkCupid, Plenty of Fish, or even one of the many niche apps like BLK, Ourtime, and elite members-only app The League, your money is going to the same place. That’s because the Match Group owns them all, and then some.

Match.com was founded by Gary Kremen in 1995 as a place for older adults to find long-term relationships. It was purchased by Cendant for $6 million in 1998, and then by IAC subsidiary Ticketmaster for $50 million in 1999.

In 2004, Jim Safka took over as CEO and both revenue and subscribers began to climb after a slowdown in growth. The company went on to acquire some of its largest competitors as well as smaller niche apps. In 2020, The Match Group was incorporated as a conglomerate of Match.com and the other dating sites it owned. Match Group’s revenue for 2022 was $3.189 billion.

4. Online Dating Is Big Business

Global dating app revenue, 2015-2022

Revenue for online dating sites has increased annually since 2015. Even a global pandemic couldn’t slow success, and instead sent millions of singles to their phones and computers looking for a way to connect with others.

So, how do these apps make money? The freemium model lets people use the app for free and then offers upgrades for a better experience. Users can also make in-app purchases to enjoy temporary perks, such as increased swipes or greater profile visibility.

Some apps have merch stores selling products of interest to their target demographics. They may also have partnerships with companies or influencers. Dating apps don’t get all their revenue from their users, either. Affiliate marketing and ads also generate significant income for apps.

5. Dating Apps Increased in Popularity during the Pandemic

Total daily active dating app users, November 2019-November 2020At the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic dating app usage took a dip, but that trend didn’t last long. On March 29, 2020, Tinder broke its all-time record and reached 3 billion swipes in one day. And by April 2020, 22% of online daters said they were using online dating apps much more during the pandemic.

Bumble’s overall usage increased but, according to the company’s data, the way people connected through dating apps also changed. People spent more time on dating apps getting to know each other without ways to connect in person. Bumble users spent an average of 21 minutes on in-app calls in May 2020, and there was a 12% increase in messaging during this same time frame.

Online Dating Users and Usage

Different demographics tend to use dating apps differently. What demographic uses dating apps most? How does their use differ between men and women?

6. Dating App Usage Varies by Demographic

Dating app usage by demographic group, 2022

Almost a third of Americans have used dating apps, but that’s not the whole story. There’s a lot of variation in usage within different demographic groups.

Americans under 30 are more likely to use dating apps than any other age bracket. This group has grown up with social media and internet communication, so may feel more comfortable connecting with potential dates online or through a phone app.

Urban dwellers are more likely to join than those in suburban or rural areas. This might correlate with the larger pool of available singles in cities, or it could be due to the lack of high-speed internet away from urban hubs. Online dating is also an efficient way to narrow down the dating pool in heavily populated areas.

7. The LGTBQ Community Is Drawn to Online Dating

Most popular dating apps for LGB users, 2022

For the most part, heterosexuals can assume a potential partner of the opposite sex is likely straight, but even the most finely tuned Gaydar is not always reliable enough to take a chance. Dating apps allow LGBTQ people to identify potential partners with more certainty.

Online dating entrepreneurs have stepped up to create several apps for the LGTBQ community, and it’s common for users to try more than one. 86% of Scruff and Hornet users have also used Grindr. Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center found that over half of LGB adults use dating apps, while 28% of straight adults say the same.

8. More Men Use Dating Apps than Women

The dating apps with the largest percentage of female users

Most of the popular dating apps have far more male users than female users. So, which apps go against the grain?

Of the major dating apps, Christian Mingle, which attracts Christian daters, has the highest percentage of female users, while eHarmony ranks third. These apps are designed for people who are looking for serious relationships. As data later in this section shows, women are looking for serious relationships online more often than men.

Many women feel unsafe on dating apps, a concern online dating companies are responding to with more safety features and even women-centered apps. Bumble and Coffee Meets Bagel both encourage women to send the first message, and those apps have more female members than many others.

9. People Often Use More than One Dating App

Average number of dating apps used simultaneously, 2022

In addition to talking to multiple people, many online dating users have accounts on more than one site at a time. Sometimes it’s simply a numbers game: use more apps, gain access to more singles. But there are other reasons.

Even though most dating apps follow the same basic formula, there are differences. Some cater to a certain demographic or use different methods to match users. If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for or are open to different types of relationships, using multiple apps may give you an advantage in online dating.

10. Dating Apps Aren’t Just for Hookups

Motivations for using dating apps, 2022

If you’re avoiding dating apps because you’re not into hookups or casual sex, you could be missing out. Though there are obviously people looking for short-term flings, over 40% of both women and men on dating apps are searching for a long-term partner or spouse.

Even if you’re not quite ready to date after a bad breakup or other traumatic life event, dating apps may help you meet new people. Some apps like Bumble have specific modes for friendship or even business networking connections.

11. Most Dating App Users Prefer Their Phones

Most common devices used for online dating, 2022

Smartphones have completely transformed the world of online dating. Most people have their phones with them all the time, giving them constant access to potential dates, for better or worse.

For some people, this accessibility can be dangerous. People who experience both loneliness and anxiety are at a higher risk for compulsive dating app use that might even interfere with work or school.

The unfulfilled want for connection among this group makes it difficult to give dating apps a rest. These users often check for matches obsessively, and may feel rejected and anxious when they don’t get the response they’d hoped for.

12. Dating App Usage throughout the Day

Dating app usage by time of day

When’s the best time to check your online dating accounts? You might expect dating sites to be most popular on Friday and Saturday nights, but that’s not the case. Sundays and Mondays actually show the most activity on the majority of apps.

The most popular time to use dating apps while at work is 11:23 AM. Over 74% of people admit to checking their online dating accounts while at work, often on work devices. Men are more likely than women to check their dating accounts regularly at work, while older adults are more likely to primarily use dating apps in the evening.

13. Dating Apps Are Both Good and Bad for Anxiety

Anxiety or stress symptoms by dating app usage, 2021

If you’re like me and aren’t completely confident socializing or flirting in-person, you may have a preference for online social interaction (POSI). Talking to someone on a dating site or social media helps you feel that you have more control over the interaction. Because you decide who to message and when, you may feel less pressure.

The downside to this is that people with social anxiety are also at a higher risk for deficient self-regulation. We may overthink our responses or experience continuous rejection when we’re not matched up with someone. Men with social anxiety and depression are less likely to initiate contact on dating apps, making it even harder to connect with people, creating a vicious cycle.

14. Not Everyone on Dating Apps Is Single

Statistics about cheating on Tinder

Dating apps allow you to interact with people outside of your social network and be your truest self, but that’s not always what happens. That anonymity and mystery also allows people to cheat without getting caught. Using online dating for infidelity has become common enough that there are now apps designed for more discreet hookups. Some, like Ashley Madison, are specifically for cheaters.

In one survey, 64% of people witnessed active profiles from people they knew to be in a relationship. Many others admit to using Tinder while in a relationship, or even going one step further and cheating with someone they met on the app. If you’re looking for a serious relationship online, proceed with caution. You likely don’t want to get wrapped up in a love triangle.

Online Dating Success

Does online dating really work? And what are some of the do’s and don’ts that might lead to success or failure on dating apps?

15. More Relationships Start Online than Ever Before

Prevalence of different ways of meeting a partner by demographics

In 1995, only 2% of couples met online, with one-third meeting through friends. Today, it’s much more common for people to find long-lasting connections on dating apps due to their popularity and accessibility. Approximately 12% of those in committed relationships meet their partner online. Among relationships that have started in the last 3 years, meeting online is about as common as meeting through friends.

16. Over Half of Americans Think Online Relationships Are as Successful as Those That Start in Person

Most Americans think relationships formed through online dating are just as successful

With so many people finding dates and love online, it’s no surprise that attitudes toward online dating have changed. Both men and women who have used a dating site or app are more likely to believe in their success rate than those who haven’t, which shows that there are plenty of people out there having good experiences.

College-educated Americans are also more likely to say that relationships that begin online are as successful as those that begin offline, so it appears belief in dating apps is higher among groups who have more experience with them. The LGBTQ community has more confidence in online dating, too, which is not surprising given how many people in this group use dating apps.

17. Marriages That Start Online May Not Last

Share of divorced couples by place they first met, 2021

For many, the first years of marriage can be the best. But for couples who meet online, the opposite may be true.

Unlike couples who meet through friends, family, or work, those who meet through apps may be from very different walks of life. As they get to know each other on a deeper level, they may discover differences that result in unresolvable conflict.

Online matches that stay together through those early years often have a happy ending. Compared to couples who meet at work, online matches are less likely to get divorced within 10 years.

18. Many Online Daters Give Up

10% of online daters quit within 3 months

Whether you’re waiting for a match or sorting through messages, online dating can be overwhelming. Keeping up with messages can seem like a full-time job, yet only 2 in 10 online matches lead to a date. Many users give up without finding a good match.

Even if you connect with someone on a dating app, it often doesn’t feel natural. Many users, including yours truly, report feeling like those initial messages resemble a job interview more than a date. Ultimately, online dating isn’t something that works for everyone, which is why 10% of users quit within 3 months.

19. Online Daters Have Mostly Positive Experiences

Statistics about the percentage of online daters who have a positive experience and the reasons why

You’d never walk into a bar or party and ask all college-educated men over 6 feet tall with blue eyes who love the outdoors to step forward. Yet it’s perfectly acceptable when online dating. Filters let us narrow our search results to find only ideal partners, so we can rule out our deal breakers before we even get started.

Even if we knew all these things about people in real life and could filter them, our networks are fairly limited. Dating apps give users access to millions of singles, so it’s much easier to look for exactly what we think we want.

20. Put Plenty of Information on Your Profile

Most important aspects of an online dating profile by gender

Women and men tend to have different priorities when it comes to relationships, so they want to see different things on dating profiles. Women prefer to see more information on a profile overall and, according to Psychology Today, place more value on a man’s ability to provide. Men, on the other hand, tend to focus more on attractiveness.

As you create your profiles, you’ll also want to consider what will matter most to your ideal partner, such as interests or hobbies you’d like to share. Profiles that mention certain sports see as much as 111% more messages. Mentions of music are also popular.

21. Choose Profile Pictures Wisely

Successful and unsuccessful first photos on dating profiles

First impressions are everything in a swipe-right culture. More than half of dating app users say they only look at the first photo on a profile before swiping left, so you’ll want to consider which photo is in the first position. Most users want to see a genuine, happy person they might connect with, so you should consider smiling and looking directly into the camera.

That doesn’t mean you should just pick one picture and call it a day, though. Most experts recommend that you limit your photos to 6, though some recommend as many as 9 or even 12. All photos should be different and of decent quality. Your photos should include at least one full-body photo and it’s best to avoid filters, because they give the impression that you’re hiding something.

22. Make Them Laugh

Statistics about the importance of humor when dating among young people

Have you ever wondered how a guy like Pete Davidson manages to date the hottest women around? Sure, fame and fortune don’t hurt, but it turns out that humor is associated with more complex characteristics like intelligence, resilience, and advanced social skills.

Women look for funny partners more than men do and this is at least partially biological. Research published in Evolutionary Behavior Science suggests that men use humor to attract women, and women evaluate humor more thoroughly than men do.

Humor is thought to facilitate bonding, and laughing has a positive impact on relationships in the long term, but the type of humor matters. Teasing your partner as a joke tends to have a negative effect on relationships, no matter how funny you are.

23. Share the Right Information

Things Millennials and Gen Zers want to know about their date

Whether you’re looking for a casual date or a lifelong relationship, you’ll want to find some common ground with any matches. Mention your hobbies and background in your profile as well as in early conversations so you can tell if you’d have anything to talk about on a date.

If you’re at least open to a long-term arrangement, you’ll want to learn whether your values and goals are similar to those of your potential date. If you have children or want them, or are determined to remain childless, those may be good things to discuss at some point during your interactions.

24. Most Dating App Users Go on at Least One Date

Reasons for meeting an online dating match in person, 2023

The vast majority of online daters meet up with matches in real life. Women are slightly less likely to meet in person than men, but both sexes do generally end up going on date

Just under a quarter of dating app users think small talk is enough to decide if they want to go on a date, with about 29% comfortable meeting right away. About 15% of online daters want to wait a little longer so they can get to know someone first.

Online Dating Safety & Risks

While online dating can get results, it’s not without its issues. These statistics cover the safety of online dating, as well as its inherent risks.

25. Many Women Feel Harassed on Dating Apps

Prevalence of experiences of harassment by demographic group, 2022

The anonymity of the internet emboldens many users to behave in ways they otherwise wouldn’t, and dating apps are no exception. Women especially report having to contend with unwanted behaviors when using online dating sites. More than 4 in 10 women under 50 say they’ve been messaged by other users after they said they weren’t interested. Over half of women under 50 have received unsolicited sexually explicit messages or images.

26. It’s Hard to Trust Online Profiles

Most common lies on online dating profiles, 2023

Most people know better than to believe everything they read on the internet. According to one poll, 54.7% of dating app users admit to lying on their dating app profiles, while 45.3% say they don’t lie.

Both men and women lie about their age the most, followed by their hobbies and interests. Men are also likely to lie about their income, height, and lifestyle, while women lie about their weight, income, and relationship goals.

27. Your Date Could Be a Catfish

38% of catfishing incidents happen through dating apps

Catfishing incidents are common online with nearly one-third of people believing they’ve interacted with one. Catfishers may create fake profiles using someone else’s photos or other false information to scam others, get revenge on someone, or get attention or validation.

Detecting fake profiles is sometimes difficult, but you can watch out for a few red flags. Catfish will usually give excuses about why they can’t video chat or meet in person. Their social media account may also not be active or have many photos, or may have been recently created.

28. Safety Isn’t Guaranteed

Percentage of people who think dating apps are unsafe by demographic background

People who’ve used dating apps before are significantly less likely to consider them an unsafe way to meet people, but not everyone agrees.

Women have good reason to be wary of the safety of online dating. A recent study out of Brigham Young University shows that 14% of sexual attacks against women happened after meeting their assailant on a dating app. Women are also more likely than men to be the victims of domestic violence, rape, and cyberstalking.

Older adults carry a different online risk. They are more likely to be the targets of online scams, so it’s not surprising that they’d worry about being vulnerable to strangers.

29. Trans Discrimination on Dating Platforms Happens

Statistics about issues faced by Trans individuals on dating platforms

Officially, all of the mainstream dating apps are inclusive of transgender people, with some offering safety features, extensive gender identity options, and anti-transphobic policies. However, users may still face transphobia while using these platforms.

Even in “safe” spaces like LGBTQ exclusive apps, transgender people encounter “chasers” who fetishize transgender people and seek them out as a kink. Transgender profiles are also sometimes maliciously reported to dating websites or apps in an effort to remove them from the site.

The dating app industry is responding with potential solutions. Trans-specific apps limit contact with bigots. Mainstream apps like Bumble now remove accounts of people who falsely report transgender profiles for violating policies. While these are steps in the right direction, transgender dating app users still advocate for more education surrounding their experiences.

30. Your Information Could Be Hacked

Prevalence of various cybersecurity issues among online daters vs. those who don't use online dating

People are willing to share all sorts of personal details with dating apps to help the algorithms find the perfect match. Unfortunately, this information is also helpful to hackers and scammers.

Online dating users have over twice the chance of falling victim to many types of hacking and fraud compared to people who don’t use dating apps. Dating apps are known for their often poor security and privacy, while cybercriminals frequently target users with scams that prey on their wants and desires.

Many people create separate email accounts for online dating sites to mitigate some of the risks. That’s a good practice, but it’s also important to always use unique passwords while setting up your account.

31. Data Breaches on Dating Apps Are Dangerous

Biggest data breaches among online dating companies

Dating apps have made the news on several occasions for data breaches. With all that sensitive data in online dating companies’ databases, identity theft may be the least of your problems.

When the extramarital dating app Ashley Madison had a data breach in 2015, 39 million members had their email addresses exposed to the public. Victims received over $11 million in compensation, but the breach still destroyed relationships, jobs, and social standing by revealing users’ affairs.

We can blame hackers for accessing these datasets, but the truth is that many dating apps don’t take enough precautions. In 2020, a group of researchers found 845 GB of data from several niche dating apps that was stored online in a publicly accessible format. There wasn’t any credit card information, but there were many sexually explicit and personal messages between users that an experienced hacker could have connected to real-life identities.

32. Online Romance Scams Could Cost You Money

Prevalence of online romance scams in each nation

In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam, and disclosed losses hit a staggering $1.3 billion.

Romance scams occur when a criminal feigns a romantic relationship with a victim using a fake profile. Once the scammer has earned the trust and affection of the victim, the scammer convinces the victim to send money under false pretenses, defrauding them for potentially large sums.

The FBI reports that online dating scams have increased by nearly 25% since 2019. In 2021, victims lost $547 million to fake cyber-love connections. Many experts believe this number is a conservative estimate because many victims are too embarrassed to come forward after being scammed, especially if they didn’t lose a lot of money.

33. Dating Apps Share Your Information for Marketing

Data points shared by each dating app, 2022

Dating apps need to collect user data to provide their service. But in addition to using it themselves, many dating apps sell it to third parties, such as other companies. These entities can discover information like your location, IP address, and spending habits, and use it for marketing or share it with other apps that will.

You may think you’re too savvy to fall for targeted ads, but social media algorithms are getting more sophisticated all the time and may even use your preferences to send emotionally manipulative ads. Consumers are twice as likely to click on an ad placed inside a dating app than any other type of app.

Marketers have learned to use the loneliness loop to their advantage, realizing that dating app users may be lonely and want to fill that void with retail therapy. Dating apps are beginning to come under scrutiny for misusing data. Grindr, for example, was fined $10 million in Europe for oversharing data. Even so, you’ll want to be very aware of your actions while using dating apps.

Online Dating around the World

Statistics about how online dating compares around the world. How popular is online dating in different countries? How do attitudes to online dating differ? And what practices are common regionally?

34. Online Dating’s Popularity around the World

User penetration and revenue of dating apps in each country, 2023

Online dating isn’t a Western-centric phenomena, but is a multi-billion dollar global industry. While America unsurprisingly generates more revenue from online dating than anywhere else, China has the second-largest industry at over $1.5 billion.

The figures tell a slightly different story when looking at user penetration. Though America still leads the way with 21.9% of people using dating apps, the UK’s a close second with 19.1% of people dating online. China and India have lower user penetration in comparison, suggesting these nations pull sizable revenues due to their enormous populations rather than significant uptake.

35. Grindr Is Banned in Many Countries

Countries where Grindr is censored

Even in today’s modern world, homosexuality is not universally accepted. In some places, being involved in same-sex relationships is still illegal. These nations may also censor any dating apps that target the LGBTQ community, such as Grindr.

In December 2019, Grindr issued a Holistic Survival Guide to help members in countries that monitor and restrict homosexuality to protect themselves and their identities. The app also implemented features like screenshot blockers and the ability to delete photos and messages for those at risk.

36. Young Europeans Are Tech-First Daters

Common online dating experiences or practices among Western Europeans, 2022

Nearly half of young Europeans are single, and they’re just fine with that. Even before the pandemic, Gen Z-ers and Millennials were delaying marriage and embracing casual dating and hookup culture, and they’ve turned to online platforms to find what they’re looking for.

Even while spending on things like e-commerce and food delivery apps has declined in the UK for economic reasons, spending on dating apps has increased. The data shows users are prioritizing connection. For example, over 65% of Germans under 40 have asked someone out who they met online.

37. Latin Americans Are Wary of Dating Apps

Over 90% of kidnappings in Sao Paulo are linked to online dating meetups

Though dating app usage and popularity are increasing in general, not all nations agree on its safety. In many large Latin American cities, kidnappings and other dangerous incidents related to dating app usage are up.

Tourists are particularly vulnerable. Natives would see meeting strangers from an app as a red flag, but people from other countries would think it was normal and safe. Men are targeted more often. Lured to a secluded place, they are drugged and have their money and belongings stolen.

38. Dating App Users in Asia Aren’t Always Looking for Love

Top reasons for using online dating apps, U.S. vs. select Asian nations

Cultures across many parts of Asia frown on casual dating. Asian cultures also often distrust meeting people online and put a great deal of emphasis on in-person connections.

That doesn’t mean dating app use isn’t happening, but the patterns and goals are very different than they are in Europe or America. People in Asian cultures use dating apps for general connection and to find new friends more often, whereas just 15-20% of American dating app users are seeking friendship, with most looking for some sort of romantic connection.

While dating app users in Asian cultures may be less interested in romance, the apps still help users widen their social circles and meet people they wouldn’t normally be drawn to.

39. Developing Markets Responsible for Litmatch’s Growth

Most downloaded dating apps in July 2023

Looking at monthly download data from July 2023 provides an update on which apps have been making ground, and the figures may be surprising.

While Tinder, as expected, is at the top of the list, Litmatch is a new kid on the block that ranked second in downloads, with nearly 3.5 million. Bumble ranked third and Badoo ranked fourth across the month.

Litmatch owes its meteoric rise to developing markets throughout Southeast Asia and South America. The Chinese dating app has now been downloaded more than 50 million times, with large user growth in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia, and Brazil. The app’s rapid growth can be attributed to its metaverse-like features and effective marketing strategy in these nations.

Stats about Popular Dating Apps

Market, demographics, and usage data for Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Badoo.

40. Revenue Comparison of the Top Dating Apps

Revenue comparison of Tinder, Bumble, Badoo, & Hinge, 2020-Q3 2023

Tinder pulls in the largest revenue of any dating app. At nearly $1.8 billion in 2022, it made over $1 billion more than Bumble, its closest rival. For its part, Bumble generated nearly $700 million in revenue in 2022, though it operated at a net loss of $80 million—a substantial reduction on the $281 million in profits it garnered in 2022. The app’s net losses were mostly caused by the loss of a previous tax benefit.

Data suggests Hinge is becoming more popular in the United States. Its market share in the U.S. increased from 15% to 18.75% in 2022, making Hinge the third-largest dating app in the country.

In turn, the app’s revenue increased by nearly 45%, reaching $284 million in 2022. A good part of Hinge’s success has come from marketing itself as the anti-Tinder, pulling in people who aren’t interested in the industry leader’s approach.

Popularity doesn’t always translate into profits, though. Badoo is the 2nd-most downloaded dating app in the world with over 400 million registered users, yet it barely makes the top 15 for revenue-per-million-users. Compared to other dating apps, Badoo doesn’t allow much advertizing from outside sources, so it relies heavily on in-app purchases and upgrades for income.

41. Nearly All Paid Tinder Users Are Men

Share of Tinder users by gender, 2023

Not only do men use Tinder more than women, but they are far more willing to pay for the privilege; women account for just 4% of paid usage of the app. Nevertheless, Tinder does have a bigger portion of paid users than most of the other major apps on the market, at 51%.

42. Bumble Is a Woman-First Dating App

63% of men on Bumble join for its women-first messaging

Whitney Wolfe Herd left her role as Tinder’s Vice President of Marketing and sued her fellow co-founders for sexual harassment in 2014. She went on to build Bumble, a “feminist dating app,” becoming the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire in 2021.

Bumble takes a woman-first approach, where only women can initiate conversations in heterosexual matches. 46.2% of Bumble users are women, which is high compared to other apps, and 85% of Bumble staff are women. There is still a gender divide, though, with men using the platform more than women.

43. Hinge Users Look for More than One-Night Stands

Most common reasons for using Hinge, 2023

Though people use Hinge for many reasons, the app brands itself as “designed to be deleted” and it offers a place for serious relationships, as opposed to the hookups that are popular on Tinder.

In fact, nearly 9 in 10 Hinge users are using the app to find a relationship. Research suggests that Hinge users have a good chance of finding happiness, too. Nearly one-third (30%) of couples who met online did so through Hinge in 2022 — a 9% increase from 2021.

The Bottom Line

Online dating isn’t new, but its popularity has been growing rapidly over the last two decades. Some experts expect a slowdown to occur soon, but overall growth is significant and has impacted the way people interact all over the world.

The online dating industry has had its share of problems. Initially, people were wary of the success, inclusivity, and safety of dating apps. The industry has responded regularly with new features and apps to address pain points and underrepresented populations.

There’s still room for improvement in the online dating industry. Shifts in attitudes, technology, and trends will certainly keep app designers busy. But for now, this continues to be a booming industry that shows no signs of slowing down.

 

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About the author
Throughout her life, Molli Taylor has explored many religions and spiritual practices and enjoys sharing her experiences in a way that’s both informed and easy to understand. As a Content Writer for MysticMag, Molli excels in creating articles covering all things spiritual, self-improvement, and wellness. Her core areas of expertise are yoga, meditation, energy healing, natural parenting, and mindful eating.

Molli’s been a freelance writer since 2016. Other than her work for MysticMag, she’s written content for over 50 clients and 200+ websites. She’s managed social media accounts and blogs for a spiritual retreat center, a new-age bookstore, and a crystal supplier. Her work includes pieces about natural living, healthy eating, alternative medicine, and spirituality.

When she’s not learning, educating, or writing, you can find Molli exploring parks and beaches throughout Oregon and Washington with her 7 children and 2 dogs. In her spare time, she volunteers with houseless communities, local food pantries, and gleaner operations in her hometown of Portland.