Australians Shift from Apps to Matchmakers for Dates

Dating app fatigue and safety concerns are prompting West Australians to embrace matchmakers in a trend that reflects wider shifts across the industry. Despite the dominance of Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, many locals report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of low-quality interactions produced by swipe-driven platforms.

A Perth-based service, HYTCH, sees this firsthand. Founder Amanda Harrigan notes that clients often abandon dating apps due to a deluge of superficial messages, describing their experiences as “like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

Solutions Matchmaking, another established Perth firm operating since 1995, reports a rise in demand from younger professionals aged 30-45. Owner Viola Steed observes that modern singles, well-educated and career-focused, are seeking relationships with real-world depth – the same kind of need for authenticity that has driven a lot of recent dating trends across the world.

The appeal of matchmaking reflects a broader global movement away from swipe culture. Reports in Wired and The Times indicate that many users are burnt out by dating apps. A Forbes Health survey found 80% of millennials feel emotionally exhausted by swiping, and that alternative dating options – whether that means in-person events or platforms that shake up the dating approach online – are much more desirable. Matchmakers are just another approach to solve the same issue, and one that may gain traction in coming months.