Valentine’s Day: Swipes, Situationships & The Truth About Marriage

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about heart-shaped candy and cute selfies — it’s also a reminder of how much dating has changed. In a world of swipes, DMs, and double-dates, love looks a lot different than it did for your parents (or even your older siblings).

So what’s really happening in the world of dating apps and marriage? Let’s break it down 👇

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📱 Love and “App”iness

There are more than 1,500 dating apps and websites operating worldwide today. In 2024 alone, around 360 million people used dating apps globally — that’s about 15 million more than the year before.

The biggest player?
👉 Tinder with around 90 million users.

That’s a LOT of swiping.

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🔥 When Did Dating Apps Blow Up?

Online dating completely changed in 2012 when Tinder introduced the iconic swipe:

• Swipe right = interested

• Swipe left = nope

Before that, matches were mostly based on location and detailed preferences. You’d get a small batch of potential matches and message through the app. No endless swiping. No instant dopamine rush.

After Tinder’s success? Almost every dating app copied the swipe system because it was simple, fast, and honestly kind of addictive.

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📉 So Why Are People Getting Tired?

Even though millions still use dating apps, interest is slipping.

Between January 2023 and December 2024:

• Dating app installs and sessions dropped 13% year-over-year.

• Seasonal spikes still happen (hello, cuffing season 👀), but overall enthusiasm is cooling off.

Why?

A survey by AI company Tidio found:

• Only 12% of users are happy with their online dating experience.

• 25% worry their match won’t look like their photos.

• 25% fear matching with fake profiles.

Translation: Swiping is easy. Trusting? Not so much.

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🤖 AI Is Entering the Chat

AI is starting to show up everywhere — including dating apps. From profile suggestions to conversation starters, tech is trying to make love more “efficient.”

But here’s the big question:
Can algorithms really understand emotions?

Love isn’t just data. It’s awkward laughs, random inside jokes, and butterflies when someone looks at you a certain way. That’s hard to code.

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👯 The Double-Dating Comeback

Gen Z is putting a twist on online dating with double-dating apps.

The idea?
Two friends meet two matches together.

Why it’s catching on:

• Safer than meeting alone

• Less pressure

• More fun

• Backup if things get awkward 😅

The reviews are mixed, but the concept makes sense. Safety + vibes = better first dates.

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💍 What About Marriage?

Here’s where things get interesting.

In 2021, the U.S. marriage rate hit a 50+ year low:

• 28 marriages per 1,000 unmarried women

But in 2022?

• It rose to 31.2 per 1,000 unmarried women

• Over 2.3 million women got married (an increase of nearly 270,000 from 2021)

Sounds like a comeback, right?

Not exactly.

Back in 1970, the marriage rate was:

• 76.5 per 1,000 unmarried women

So while rates are improving slightly post-pandemic, they’re still way lower than decades ago.

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💭 What Does This Mean for Teens?

If you’re a teenager right now, you’re growing up in a completely different dating world:

• You have thousands of options at your fingertips.

• You’re more aware of red flags.

• You value independence and career goals.

• Marriage isn’t seen as the “ultimate goal” anymore.

And that’s okay.

Love today is more about:

• Finding someone who aligns with your values

• Feeling safe and respected

• Choosing partnership — not pressure

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❤️ Final Thoughts: Is Love Changing?

Yes.
But it’s not disappearing.Dating apps might be losing their sparkle. Marriage rates might look different than they did in 1970. But people still want connection.Maybe the future of love isn’t just about swiping right.
Maybe it’s about slowing down, being real, and choosing someone — not because you have to, but because you genuinely want to.And honestly?
That might be the most romantic trend of all. 💕