Larger Number of Dating Options May Increase Commitment, Study Finds

A new study published in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships suggests that having more options on dating apps can actually increase users’ motivation to pursue a relationship with a chosen match, challenging the widespread belief in “choice overload.”

Researchers Junwen Hu and David Markowitz from Michigan State University conducted two online experiments. In the first, 193 single adults aged 21–30 were shown either 6 or 31 dating profiles after indicating their preferences. Participants who viewed more profiles reported stronger immediate intention to pursue a relationship with their selected match and perceived higher compatibility. The second experiment, involving 342 active dating app users aged 18–35, replicated these findings and also showed higher general commitment readiness in the larger choice group.

The key factor was perceived compatibility. Participants in the high-option groups were more likely to find someone who closely matched their preferences and values, which in turn motivated them to move forward. The study did not find evidence that more options made users overly picky or heightened fear of missing out.

The researchers framed online dating as a “matching market,” similar to labor or housing markets, where a thicker pool of options increases the chance of finding a strong fit. They noted that many dating apps currently limit visible candidates under the assumption that too many choices discourage participation. Their findings suggest the opposite may be true when users first clarify their preferences.