Despite skepticism, people sticking with dating apps, survey says
Reports of the death of dating apps, as Mark Twain might say, are greatly exaggerated.
That’s one finding of the latest Media & Technology Survey, out today, from the Communication Research Center at Boston University’s College of Communication.
Last year, media outlets reported major dating platforms, such as Bumble and TInder, saw big declines in users. But the Boston University survey suggests a slight uptick in both current dating app users and the number of people who have ever used a dating app.
Thirteen percent of respondents said they currently use a dating app, compared with 9% in last year’s survey. Thirty-three percent said they have used a dating app at some point, more than last year (28%).
Similarly, nearly half of respondents (49%) agreed or strongly agreed that people can find their soulmate on a dating app, up from last year (42%). Only 13% disagreed or strongly disagreed.
“Despite some skepticism, dating apps are ultimately too easy to abandon,” said Kathryn Coduto, assistant professor at Boston University College of Communication and designer of the survey. “Users might not be logging in everyday, but the convenience of the dating pool in your pocket makes it too tempting to completely stop using them.
“The longer dating apps are around, the more success stories that can come from them, too,” she added. “People are increasingly meeting others who have had successful matches and marriages, and it makes downloading and trying an app much more compelling.”
This continued belief in dating apps coexists with continued skepticism with the technology behind it – as well as the people who use them.
Forty percent of respondents said they disagreed or strongly disagreed with the notion that the incorporation of artificial intelligence into dating apps would lead to more successful relationships – about the same as last year (39%). However, slightly more agreed or strongly disagreed: 20%, compared to 15% last year.
Most people continued to believe that dating apps are filled with too many machines posing as real people (known as chatbots) to be trusted: 48% agreed or strongly agreed, compared to 50% last year.
Perhaps least surprising: respondents still believe most people lie on dating apps. 60% agree or strongly agree (61% last year).
Survey Summary
Respondents to this month’s Media & Technology Survey were asked: Are you currently using or have you ever used a dating application (app)?
Currently use a dating app 13% (2025: 9%)
Have used a dating app in the past, but not currently using: 33% (2025: 28%)
Never used a dating app: 55% (2025: 64%)
Respondents were then asked how much they agreed or disagreed with the following statements:
People can find their soulmates on a dating app.
Strongly Disagree: 6% (2025: 5%)
Disagree: 7% (2025: 11%)
Neither Agree or Disagree: 38% (2025: 41%)
Agree: 40% (2025: 33%)
Strongly Agree: 9% (2025: 9%)
Dating apps are the best way to find a successful relationship these days.
Strongly Disagree: 13% (2025: 15%)
Disagree: 24% (2025: 23%)
Neither Agree or Disagree: 43% (2025: 47%)
Agree: 16% (2025: 12%)
Strongly Agree: 4% (2025: 3%)
Dating apps that use AI, meaning computer-powered artificial intelligence, will lead to more successful relationships.
Strongly Disagree: 19% (2025: 16%)
Disagree: 21% (2025: 23%)
Neither Agree or Disagree: 40% (2025: 46%)
Agree: 14% (2025: 11%)
Strongly Agree: 6% (2025: 4%)
Dating apps are filled with too many machines posing as real people (known as chatbots) to be trusted.
Strongly Disagree: 2% (2025: 3%)
Disagree: 8% (2025: 6%)
Neither Agree or Disagree: 42% (2025: 41%)
Agree: 32% (2025: 33%)
Strongly Agree: 15% (2025: 17%)
Most people lie on dating apps.
Strongly Disagree: 2% (2025: 2%)
Disagree: 5% (2025: 3%)
Neither Agree or Disagree: 33% (2025: 34%)
Agree: 40% (2025: 41%)
Strongly Agree: 19% (2025: 20%)
About the Media & Technology Survey
The Media & Technology Survey is an ongoing project of the Communication Research Center (CRC) at Boston University’s College of Communication. This month’s polls were conducted in English on February 3 to 4, 2026. This online survey has a credibility interval (CI) of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. The data were weighted to the U.S. population data by region, gender, age and education. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error.
