# Match Group's Gen Z Research Reveals New Dating Norms for Founders _Match Group finds 80% of Gen Z believe in true love. Founders should note Gen Z's focus on authenticity and digital comfort in dating strategies._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/gen-z-singles-seek-quality-dating Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-07-03T07:06:06+00:00 Last updated: 2026-07-31T16:44:43.999913+00:00 Category: The Data ## Summary Match Group's Gen Z research shows 80% believe in true love, but 62% prefer online flirting and 44% prioritize friends over active dating. Operators must adapt to Gen Z's desire for authenticity, slower connections, and digital comfort, while also addressing privacy concerns to stay relevant with this optimistic yet cautious demographic. ## Key takeaways - 80% of Gen Z believe they will find true love, higher than 56% of overall singles. - 62% of Gen Z are more comfortable flirting online than in person. - 44% of Gen Z prefer spending time with friends over actively seeking a relationship. - 81% of Gen Z prefer to get to know someone slowly. - Nearly one-third of 18 to 29 year olds are concerned about sharing personal information on dating apps. ## FAQ ### What is Gen Z's belief in finding true love? 80% of Gen Z respondents believe they will find true love. This is a significantly higher figure compared to 56% of singles overall, indicating a strong romantic optimism within this demographic despite evolving dating norms. ### How does Gen Z prefer to communicate in dating? 62% of Gen Z say they are more comfortable flirting online than in person. This highlights a preference for digital communication in forming connections, signaling a continued shift towards online interactions in the dating landscape. ### Does Gen Z prioritize relationships over friendships? No, 44% of Gen Z would rather spend time with friends than actively pursue a relationship. This shows a shift in priorities, where romantic relationships are balanced alongside friendships and other personal development goals. ### How quickly does Gen Z prefer to get to know someone? 81% of Gen Z prefer to get to know someone slowly. This emphasizes their desire for authenticity and gradual connection, contrasting with the perception of dating apps facilitating quick encounters and forming fast relationships. ### What are Gen Z's concerns about dating apps? Nearly one-third of singles aged 18 to 29 express concerns about sharing personal information on dating apps. These concerns indicate broader anxieties about digital privacy and online safety among Gen Z users, which platforms need to address. - 80% of Gen Z respondents believe they will find true love, significantly higher than the 56% of singles overall - 62% of Gen Z say they are more comfortable flirting online than in person, reflecting the digital shift in dating - 44% would rather spend time with friends than actively pursue a relationship, showing a shift in priorities - 81% of Gen Z prefer to get to know someone slowly, emphasizing their preference for authenticity over quick connections Match Group has released new research offering a closer look at how Generation Z approaches dating, challenging the idea that younger people are losing interest in relationships. Instead, the company's findings suggest Gen Z remains optimistic about finding meaningful connections but has different expectations about how dating should work. According to the research, 80% of Gen Z respondents believe they will find true love, compared with 56% of singles overall. At the same time, 62% say they are more comfortable flirting online than in person, highlighting how digital communication continues to shape modern relationships. These statistics paint a picture of a generation that maintains romantic optimism while adapting to new forms of connection. Young couple connecting on a date ## Match Group Focuses on Consumer Research The findings were discussed during Match Group's inaugural CEO Connection Series, where CEO Spencer Rascoff joined executives from Tinder and the company's consumer research team to examine evolving dating behaviours. Rascoff said stronger consumer research has become a greater focus for Match Group after recognising that customer insights had not always been fully integrated into product development. This shift represents a strategic pivot toward understanding user needs more deeply. The company identified four themes shaping Gen Z's approach to dating: agency, authenticity, momentum and trust. These themes emerged from comprehensive research into how younger adults navigate the modern dating landscape. Each theme reflects fundamental shifts in how this generation views relationships and personal connections. > 80% of Gen Z respondents believe they will find true love, compared with 56% of singles overall. ## Balancing Relationships with Other Priorities Rather than placing romantic relationships above everything else, many young adults are balancing dating alongside friendships, careers and personal development. Around 44% said they would rather spend time with friends than actively pursue a relationship, while only about one in four adults under 30 listed finding a relationship as their primary goal for the coming year. This represents a fundamental shift from previous generations who often prioritized romantic partnerships. Friends spending quality time together This balanced approach suggests Gen Z views romantic relationships as one important component of life rather than the central focus. They are integrating dating into a broader framework of personal fulfillment that includes career advancement, friendship networks, and self-improvement. The data indicates a more holistic view of what constitutes a meaningful life. ## Authenticity and Trust Shape Dating Behavior Authenticity also emerged as a major priority. The research found 81% of Gen Z prefer to get to know someone slowly, while concerns about social judgement and online pressure continue to influence dating behaviour. This preference for gradual connection contrasts with the reputation dating apps have for facilitating quick hookups. > 81% of Gen Z prefer to get to know someone slowly, emphasizing the importance of authentic connections over rushed encounters. Person using dating app on smartphone Trust was another recurring theme, with nearly one-third of singles aged 18 to 29 expressing concerns about sharing personal information on dating apps. These concerns reflect broader anxieties about digital privacy and online safety that characterize this generation. Dating platforms will need to address these trust issues to remain relevant and effective for younger users. ### Key Takeaways - Gen Z approaches dating with high optimism about finding love while prioritizing authenticity and gradual connection over quick matches - Dating apps must adapt to address privacy concerns and integrate into a lifestyle where romantic relationships complement rather than dominate other life priorities - The shift toward digital communication and slower relationship building requires dating platforms to rethink product features and user experience ## Sources - [Matchgroup Humanconnectionhub](https://matchgroup-humanconnectionhub.com/gen-z-dating-trends-what-match-groups-research-reveals-about-the-future-of-connection/), Matchgroup Humanconnectionhub Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). Citation permitted with a link to the source URL above.