BLK Releases Valentine’s Day Guide Against Dating App Fatigue

BLK has published a seven-step Valentine’s Day guide aimed at helping users manage mounting emotional exhaustion and fatigue. The strategies target what the company describes as pervasive dating app fatigue, a state of overwhelm rather than excitement that affects a significant portion of the user base.

The guide draws from BLK’s 2026 Dating Trends research, which surveyed more than 4,000 users and found shifting priorities among Black Gen Z daters toward clarity and intentionality. Key data points include 47.7% of respondents now raising non-negotiables early in conversations and 86% addressing core compatibility factors within the first few dates.

The recommendations focus on structured engagement and emotional boundaries. Users are advised to designate specific daily time windows for app use, such as evenings from 7 PM to 9 PM, and screening matches for faith, politics, lifestyle, and family goals within the first 48 hours of chatting. The guide also proposes a “Rule of 3,” limiting active conversations to three simultaneous matches to prevent decision fatigue.

Additional steps include dropping conversations that don’t feel fulfilling and trying to move to audio or video calls early in the match for more authenticity and clarity. Amber Cooper, Head of Brand at BLK, emphasized the need for intentionality: “Fatigue typically emerges from attempting to juggle dating alongside daily responsibilities without clear boundaries or planning.”