Brits ditch relationship apps in report numbers to discover a associate face-to-face

The four biggest dating apps have lost more than a million users between them as romance-starved love-seekers grow tired of impersonal online dating sites.

View 3 Images

Love-hungry Brits are swiping left to ditch dating apps as old-school face-to-face dating solutions experience a comeback.

Boffins say “dating fatigue” has led to a jaw-dropping 78 per cent of dating app users being left “emotionally, mentally, or physically exhausted” by the online tools.

In recent years, the four biggest dating apps have lost more than a million users between them as romance-starved love-seekers grow tired of impersonal online dating sites.

And in 2023 and 2024 alone the 10 biggest apps including Tinder reported usage rates slumping by a whopping 16 per cent.

But now the Daily Star Sunday can reveal dating agencies, matchmakers and dating nights are enjoying a resurgence as lonely punters return to traditional ways of seeking out a partner.

Heather Heber-Percy of the Dating Agency Association, the body which supports and promotes the personal introductions industry in the UK, told us: “There really had been a complete return to traditional dating and getting a matchmaker.

“The other thing that is such good news is that this is not just for young people, people in their 60’s and 70’s are signing up so nobody need be lonely anymore.”

Asked what turned daters offs using apps and websites to find love, Heather, added: “I think there was too much impatience involved in peoples’ choices online with people swiping right for the slightest reason and frankly it has been used for prostitution on both sides.

“Online dating is not controlled – people do not know who they are meeting – whereas dating agencies take out all the necessary references so you know who you are meeting.

“I am not saying online dating can’t work but it is a very different model if you find the right matchmaker it can be a really good experience.

“The Asian community has been doing similar employing an ‘Auntie’ to act as matchmaker for centuries.”

While Parag Bhargava, Chairperson for the Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA), added: “We have a good collection of members across the country.

“There are a number of reasons dating apps and websites are becoming less popular.“People in the 30’s plus age group are realising that the window-shopping exercise as I like to call it is not the best way forward.

“This is because those joining our offline agencies are vetted, they are spoken to in person and they are occasionally met in person as well.

“You know they are a real person and not someone trying to defraud you.

“The reason people are coming back to offline agencies apart from that is that they are meeting genuine individuals.

“If they do want to settle down in a relationship, they get the chance to meet someone who is really serious about it, they have paid money to the agency, rather than an app that might be free or just a fiver a month.

“And with online services one individual can be chatting to multiple individuals at the same time.

“A lot of people have become quite dismayed with dating apps and online websites.

“People want to be social – they don’t want to communicate using text speak such as LOL or BRB, they want to interact and talk to one another.

“In contrast our agencies encourage people to meet face to face and attend events.

“Our members offer their users a sense of security and genuine profiles giving people a real chance of finding a life partner.”

Parag, added: “Building a relationship requires face to face social interaction, eye to eye contact, a welcoming handshake or hug, visual body language etc.

“The increased usage of social media has caused many to start losing social skills and that will never help build a long-lasting relationship.

“Conversations need to be organic and meaningful, with tone, expression and feeling in order to move forward.”

Meanwhile dating nights with a twist are also growing in popularity.

“Date My Mate” events involve pitching a friend to a room of singles in a format similar to a reality TV show.

Love-hungry punters are welcomed with a free drink token and a sticker which identifies them as a “date” or “mate.”

The “mates” have a loosely enforced three-minute time slot to big up their single friend using a presentation projected on a screen.

Carlo Brancati, Co-founder at Date My Mate Global, said: “Yes, from what we’re seeing, there is definitely a strong comeback of real-life dating events and offline formats, especially as many people feel increasingly tired of dating apps and endless swiping.

“The appeal of Date My Mate is that it turns dating back into a real-life, community-driven experience: instead of selling yourself on an app, someone who knows you well “pitches” you to a room full of people. It feels more authentic, fun, and less lonely.”

But the online dating industry insists it is far from finished with more than five million UK adults – or 11 per cent of the adult population – still using dating apps.

Simon Newman, Chief Executive Officer of the Online Dating and Discovery Association, which promotes safe and responsible online dating experiences, added: “Dating fatigue’ is certainly an issue affecting the industry, but it has also been a genuine opportunity for innovation.

“The sector has quickly adapted to changes in consumer behaviour by rolling out new features that are tailored to improving the experience for everyone.

“We’ve also seen a huge rise in the number of niche apps that focus on specific interests. From outdoor pursuits to people who play chess, there’s a dating app for it

“With over 5 million UK adults regularly using dating apps, the industry continues to grow and is expected to double in size over the next decade.

“It remains the safest and most popular way of meeting someone online and continues to innovate as consumer behaviour changes.”

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.