Low-Effort Profiles Are Undermining the Dating Experience
A new report from Feeld – a dating app known for catering to open-minded and nontraditional relationships – argues that a large segment of straight, millennial men may be contributing to what many are calling a“dating crisis”. The findings suggest that their lack of effort in maintaining dating profiles is undermining the online dating experience for many users.
According to the 2025 edition of Feeld’s “State of Dating Vol. IV,” roughly seven in ten heterosexual men aged 29–44 surveyed say they have rarely or never updated their profile since first creating it. In contrast, women are far more likely to revisit and refine their profiles, especially to clarify their preferences, boundaries or deal-breakers.
The report frames this disparity as more than cosmetic: it reflects a gendered divide in relationship readiness and effort. Analysts and dating-industry observers say the issue isn’t merely about laziness. Rather, many men appear emotionally disengaged, or uncertain about what they want – while women, increasingly tired of swiping fatigue and repeated disappointments, are investing in clarity and honest representation.
For some users and commentators, the implications are bleak. As one matchmaking professional quoted by Newsweek says, minimal bios, outdated photos, and passive attitudes may result in missed connections or mismatches – contributing to frustration and rapid burnout among those seeking genuine relationships. Not only does this make it harder for people with defined wants to find partners that might match them, but also makes the users with non-maintained profiles far less likely to get any matches, leading to them quitting apps faster.
The broader context may matter, too: industry reports indicate that many dating apps are now grappling with swipe fatigue, declining engagement, and growing dissatisfaction among users. In that light, the findings from Feeld suggest that this user behaviour – especially from users that have used many apps prior – could be both a symptom and a cause of being burned out with the whole experience of having to set up a dating profile on each new platform the user tries.
