FORTUNE – Ilana Dunn, former Hinge content lead and now host of Seeing Other People, says Gen Z and many millennials are abandoning dating apps for real-life encounters. Apps like Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble, she argues, can’t replicate genuine chemistry, and younger users are tired of endless swiping. Dunn believes dating platforms peaked during the pandemic and are now in decline despite new features like double-dating or chat limits. Match Group’s profits and paid usership have fallen, and even its CEO admits apps have become “a numbers game.” Gen Z now favors organic in-person moments that allow people to “vibe” and gauge attraction. Dunn herself now teaches this approach, partnering with brands like Maison Louis Jadot to run wine-and-meet-cute events. She predicts a rise in local singles mixers, workshops, and social events as people move offline again. While she still supports using apps to meet people, she advises turning chats into real-life dates quickly and practicing small, confident social interactions. In her words: dating apps can help, but real connection happens off-screen.
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