Post-Election Divide: U.S. Political Stances Central in Online Dating
Following the highly divisive 2024 U.S. election, the role of political alignment in dating is under new scrutiny, particularly on dating platforms. According to a survey conducted by Coffee Meets Bagel, political preferences are increasingly influencing dating choices, with 77% of female users on the app saying they would not date a Trump supporter. This mirrors a broader trend, as 65% of all surveyed Coffee Meets Bagel users expressed the same sentiment.
The survey results highlight an emerging trend across the dating industry: political alignment is a growing priority for singles in search of compatibility. Approximately 72% of Coffee Meets Bagel users reported that shared political values are at least “somewhat important” in partner selection, and 69% indicated that they would use a political alignment filter if the option existed.
This trend may be influenced by broader generational shifts and ideological divides. The survey’s data shows that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are less inclined to date across political lines. 83% of all respondents reported they would consider ending an existing relationship due to political differences, with disagreements on women’s reproductive rights cited as a primary source of contention.
While some dating apps have already been trying to push for political features at the request of their users, politics – primarily in the U.S. – is likely to get even more important in dating contexts within the next few years. Apps that already focus on political audiences have also taken advantage of this stronger divide: for example, Conservative dating app The Right Stuff rebranded to Date Right specifically on election night.