Most U.S. Singles Still Aim for Long-Term Relationships
Coffee Meets Bagel’s newly released Dating Realness Report 2025 paints a nuanced picture of the online dating landscape in the United States, finding that while most singles still aim for long-term relationships, they face significant frustrations once they enter the digital dating world. The survey, conducted among more than 1,000 U.S. adults aged 21-35 who are working professionals either actively looking for a relationship or open to one, sheds light on what users struggle with beyond the initial match.
According to the report, a large majority of respondents say that they want something serious: 61% are seeking a spouse and another 31% want a long-term partner. Despite these intentions, nearly all participants (93 %) describe dating as difficult, highlighting a gap between users’ goals and their experiences with apps. A striking 45% even report that committing to a relationship feels harder than committing to a job, suggesting that emotional and logistical hurdles extend well past the first connection.
The data point to classic pain points that many in the industry have observed. Endless swiping without meaningful matches emerges as the top complaint, reflecting what behavioural psychologists describe as “choice overload,” where too many options can paradoxically make decision-making harder and less satisfying. Ghosting and unclear communication after a match were also frequently cited, echoing broader trends in app fatigue documented across platforms.
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On the role of artificial intelligence, the report finds that a substantial share of daters are open to AI assistance in tasks like writing messages or improving profiles. However, there is a notable paradox: many users say they would be less likely to engage with someone if they knew AI had been used to generate their profile or communications. The findings come at a time when broader industry research highlights ambivalence around app usage, with many users burning out due to these factors in particular.
