Online Dating Now Dominates Relationship Building, Study Shows

A new report from PNAS (the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) highlights the significant shift in how couples meet in recent years, with online platforms now being the dominant way to form romantic relationships. In 2024, 60% of couples reported meeting their spouse online, marking a major change from earlier decades when family, friends, or school connections were the primary matchmakers.

The data tracks nearly 100 years of relationship trends, showcasing how the rise of the internet has dramatically transformed the dating landscape. The shift towards online connections reflects the growing reliance on technology in personal relationships.

However, despite the prevalence of dating apps, many younger users, particularly Gen Z and millennials, express dissatisfaction with the online dating experience. Relationship experts like Deb Fileta argue that this “consumer approach” in online dating – where people view potential partners in a way similar to shopping – can hinder the development of meaningful relationships.

Fileta, like many experts, suggests that cultivating healthy relationships online requires a focus on personal well-being and emotional health, rather than just seeking out specific traits in others. However, if users are truly focusing their attention on individual traits rather than the collective whole, it’s likely that more and more dating platforms will appear that cater to very specific needs, interests and communities – something that has already been happening with niche or hobby-based dating apps.