Gen Z Favoring “Meet-Cutes” Over Matching, Says Former Hinge Exec
A shift in dating culture may be contributing to declining engagement on major dating platforms, according to Ilana Dunn, host of the Seeing Other People podcast and former content lead at Hinge. Speaking about trends among younger users, Dunn said that while dating apps continue to introduce new features, many Gen Z daters increasingly want to meet partners offline, prioritizing spontaneous and “vibe-based” connections over digital matching.
Dunn worked at Hinge during a period of peak dating-app usage, including during the pandemic, when online dating surged. However, she notes that user expectations have evolved. Surveys in 2024 indicated widespread burnout among young adults using apps such as Hinge, Tinder, and Bumble, with many reporting that the platforms demand significant time without reliably producing meaningful relationships. 2024 may also have been the year where in-person events began to become more and more frequent, with many users beginning to attend them more regularly.
Match Group CEO Spencer Rascoff acknowledged these concerns earlier this year, writing that today’s dating platforms can feel like they “prioritize metrics over experience,” leading users to view matching as transactional rather than personal. In response, apps have rolled out features attempting to prompt more intentional interaction – Hinge now limits simultaneous conversations, while Tinder has tested friend-assisted “double date” modes aimed at recreating more natural introductions.
But Dunn argues that incremental shifts may not be enough to reverse the larger trend. “They can try to come up with more ways to [allow] people to assess chemistry,” she said, adding that long-term relevance may depend on facilitating in-person events and interactions that allow users to determine whether “there’s a vibe.”
Growing interest in real-world matchmaking experiences has surfaced in community-driven meetups, themed social gatherings, and influencer-led dating workshops. Dunn herself recently partnered with a wine brand to host a class centered on striking up conversations in casual social settings – a format she believes reflects where dating culture is heading.
