YOUGOV – A YouGov survey of 1,882 Britons found that two-thirds are currently in a relationship, with 90% of those describing themselves as happy. Work and mutual friends remain the most common ways couples meet, while dating apps account for one in nine relationships overall. Most single Britons are happy being unattached, although 25% want a relationship now; 42% say they remain single because they have not met the right person, while 29% find dating stressful or difficult.
PSYPOST – A 2026 study of 301 dating app users aged 18 to 86 found that older adults were more likely to use the apps for socializing, while younger users were more motivated by sexual experiences, finding relationships, and gaining social approval. Dating app use among older Americans is also relatively common: Pew Research found that 23% of people in their 50s have tried online dating, compared with 14% of those in their 60s and 12% of those aged 70 or older.
FAST COMPANY – Gen Z is increasingly using hobbies and social events as a way to meet potential partners in person. Eventbrite found strong growth in singles-focused activities, from trivia nights, up 403%, to mahjong, birdwatching and Pilates socials. Plant swaps and terrarium workshops were also up 117%, while birdwatching attendance rose 82%. The trend comes as more young people meet partners offline, with a 2025 Hims study finding that 77% of Gen Z had met their partner in person. Run clubs, grocery stores, and other everyday social settings are also being used as opportunities to meet potential dates.
THE GUARDIAN – Romantic kissing is on the decline, particularly among younger adults. A YouGov survey found that more than a third of British adults are kissing romantically less often than five years ago. One in five hasn’t been kissed in more than a year, and 27% believe kissing is becoming less common. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, a third said they had avoided a kiss because they lacked confidence. Researchers point to digital communication, declining nightlife and shared social spaces, and growing self-consciousness around intimacy as possible factors behind the trend.
NEWSWEEK – Support for same-sex marriage in the U.S. has fallen to 65%, down from 71% in 2022 and 2023, according to a new Gallup survey of 1K adults conducted in May 2026. Support remains strongest among Democrats (87%) and independents (67%), while Republican support has fallen to 37%. The survey also found that 62% of Americans consider same-sex relationships morally acceptable, the lowest level since 2016. Commenting on the findings, Three Day Rule CEO Adam Cohen-Aslatei suggested the shift may reflect the current political climate and changing public expression of views rather than a fundamental change in private beliefs.
BBC – Dating app burnout is increasingly being compared to workplace burnout, with users reporting emotional exhaustion, frustration, and mental fatigue from endless swiping and constant engagement. Research covering 17 years of studies and ~26K people found that dating app users reported higher levels of anxiety, loneliness, and psychological distress than non-users. The report also noted that many users now see dating apps as something to manage carefully rather than use constantly. Experts suggested limiting app time, avoiding making apps the only way to meet people, taking breaks when needed, and balancing online dating with offline social activities and community events.
PSYPOST – A new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships found that having more dating options may actually increase commitment and dating motivation rather than reduce it. In two experiments, participants who selected matches from 31 profiles showed greater interest in pursuing relationships than those choosing from only six profiles. Researchers said the larger pool helped users feel they had found more compatible matches, challenging the common theory that dating apps create “choice overload” and make people less willing to commit.
NASHA NIVA – A new study found that modern AI models can now convincingly imitate human conversation, often better than real people. In a Turing-style test, participants identified AI as human 73% of the time when the chatbot was given a realistic online persona using slang and casual conversation styles. Researchers found that people relied mostly on intuition, humour and emotional tone rather than logic or factual tests to judge authenticity. Even in longer 15-minute conversations, newer AI models still passed as human in most cases.
GLOBAL NEWS – A new survey from TransUnion found that 11.9% of Canadian respondents reported suspected digital fraud attempts in online communities such as dating platforms and forums, above the global average of 8.1% and up 63% YOY. TransUnion also noted growing use of generative AI and deepfake technology in these scams. According to the survey, stolen credit cards and fraudulent charges were the most commonly reported fraud issues among Canadians at 26%, compared with a global average of 19%.
DEALSEEK – According to a 2026 DealSeek survey of 1K U.S. singles, inflation is making dating more expensive. Many people are going on fewer dates and sticking to tighter budgets, usually under $75–$100. Low-cost ideas and financial honesty are now seen as attractive, while overspending and showing off wealth are turnoffs. At the same time, money pressure is changing behavior, with many singles misrepresenting their finances, trying to date higher earners, or even ghosting over financial issues.