Dating during the past two years has not been easy. From finding love during lockdown, navigating how to date post-lockdown, and to vaccine date or not to date—the list of post-pandemic trends are endless.
We’ve all had to get comfortable with dating outside of our usual comfort zones and adopt a new habits. The UK-based dating app Hinge has revealed its four data-backed dating predictions to watch out for in 2022—and the results may surprise you.
Emotional equality
After the last two years, taking care of your mental health is more important than ever and daters aren’t accepting anyone who isn’t doing it.
According to Hinge, 83% of UK users would prefer to date someone who goes to therapy—and you’re more likely to get a second date if you mention going to therapy on a first date. Yet interestingly, only 9% of UK Hinge users feel comfortable bringing up therapy on the first date.
Power of audio
In 2022, Hinge predicts that we will see more people embracing audio and wanting to hear someone’s voice before matching. 64% of users said voice was an important factor in determining whether they liked someone.
The research also found that people are two times more likely to match with someone if they like a voice prompt.
Booster boomers
With the new Omicron variant and booster rollout across the UK, Hinge predicts that users will continue to proudly share their vaccination status on their profile. Research shows that users who indicate that they’re vaccinated receive 30% more matches and the app thinks those who share their vaccine status on their profile will be the most successful in terms of dates.
Relationship go-getters
The dreaded “situationship”—in which a potential relationship is hobbled by a lack of uncertainty as to where it’s heading—is something that many people have experienced in their lives but perhaps even more so during the uncertainty of the pandemic. One-in-three Hinge users experienced a ‘situationship’ in the past year, and 62% report feeling disappointed about it.
In 2022, Hinge predicts singletons will be more upfront about their goals from the outset and move on swiftly if people don’t share their long-term intentions.
By Anthony Moran
