Plenty of Fish Releases 2026 Dating Behaviour Trends

Plenty of Fish has released its ninth annual “Dating Trends for 2026” report, based on responses from nearly 6,000 U.S. singles. The study suggests that the dating landscape is shifting away from rigid expectations toward spontaneity, clarity, and more honest connection. According to the report, everyday daters are increasingly embracing chemistry that surprises them, openly defining relationships, and showing up as themselves from the start.

Some of the key concepts highlighted include “ChemRIZZtry,” where people feel unexpected chemistry with someone they hadn’t anticipated being drawn to, and “Curveball-crushing,” which reflects attraction to someone outside familiar “types.”

The trend “Love-loreing” captures daters who approach dates as narrative experiences – willing to say yes without knowing where things might lead – while “Truecasting” shows a growing desire to present one’s unfiltered self from the very first encounter.

Perhaps most notably, the data shows a move away from ambiguity with “status-flexing,” where more singles are choosing to explicitly label their relationship status – whether that’s casual dating, exclusivity, or partnership.

Rachel DeAlto, dating expert for Plenty of Fish, comments on the findings: “From seeking unexpected chemistry to confidently labeling their relationships, we expect daters in 2026 to prioritize clarity, honesty, and real connection over outdated rules and surface-level checklists.”

From an industry standpoint, the 2026 trends point to a continued push for more flexible, less prescriptive matchmaking products and features. Dating platforms may be well served to lean further into signals of authenticity, something that has been a growing focus for many dating app audiences over the past year or so.