Tinder’s Year In Swipe has been released and it shows that singles should remain ‘hopeful’ for 2026. Let’s take a look at the four trends that will define next year
Everything we need to know about Tinder’s biggest dating trend predictions for 2026
- Tinder are back with their ‘Year In Swipe’ that looks at the biggest dating moments from 2025 and what is in store for 2026.
- It’s been a year of being ’embarrassing’ if you have a boyfriend, situationships, ‘Shrekking and ‘submarining’ – showing that dating is more convoluted than ever.
- However, things could be set to change for 2026 after singletons are looking to be ‘more open and honest when dating next year,’ according to Tinder.
- There’s four trends to look out for next year that are set to “define” dating in 2026.
- Clear-Coding is where “intentions finally come with subtitles” as young singles are done deciphering whether their match is game or whether they’re just stringing them along with something not serious. Expect people to be more upfront.
- Hot-Take Dating is where “attraction comes with opinions” as standing for something and having the same moral views is important to singles.
- Friendfluence is where “your best mates become your gut feeling” as nearly half of young singles say that their friends influence their dating life and 37% plan to go on group or double dates in 2026.
- Emotional Vibe Coding is where “emotional availability is hot and emotional buffering is not” as singles will be balancing talking and feeling – proving they want meaningful chemistry without emotional overcomplication.
- It comes as 56% admitted honest conversations matter most and 45% want more empathy after rejection.
- Tinder found that “hopeful” was the top word to describe dating in 2026.
- READ MORE: Tinder reveals how many people would use AI to date – and it’s shocking
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