> At a Glance
> – Dating apps are pivoting to AI and real-world meet-ups.
> – User engagement fell 7% year-over-year, while AI companion market grew 96% since 2024.
> – Offline dating events surged, with friending up 35% and board-game meet-ups up 55%.
> – Why it matters: These shifts signal a new era where technology fuels genuine connection, reshaping how singles meet.
The dating-app landscape is undergoing a dramatic transformation. In 2025, AI-driven matchmaking and a surge in offline meet-ups are redefining how people find partners, while engagement on apps has slipped 7% from the previous year.
AI Takes the Lead
Three Day Rule launched Tai, an AI-trained matchmaker that offers real-time coaching. Grindr followed suit, adding Anthropic and Amazon tools for its wingman feature and chat summaries, though some users balked at the breadth of machine-learning integration. Other apps-Iris, Rizz, and Elate-also rolled out AI helpers to smooth early conversations.
- Three Day Rule – Tai matchmaker
- Grindr – Anthropic & Amazon wingman
- Iris, Rizz, Elate – early-stage AI chat aids
Yoel Roth, head of trust and safety for Match Group, told News Of Austin in October:
> “The biggest issue that we’re concerned with … is the bulk creation of new accounts,”
Tinder’s recent face-verification rollout sparked the conversation, with Match Group stressing the need to curb account fraud.
Offline Events Surge
While AI offers speed, many singles crave in-person connection. Influencer Laurie Cooper popularized ‘Sit at the Bar September’ on Instagram, sparking a wave of flirting parties in Los Angeles. Eventbrite data shows that in 2025, IRL dating events jumped, with friending events up 35% and board-game meet-ups up 55%.
| Metric | 2023 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Friending events | 100% | 135% |
| Board-game meet-ups | 100% | 155% |
Beyond, a social club, is betting on curated in-person experiences, with CEO Eric Waldstein saying it will offer “something they can’t get from an algorithm.”
Eric Waldstein, CEO of Beyond, said:
> “That give people something they can’t get from an algorithm.”
His vision aligns with a broader trend toward trust over reach, as singles seek authenticity in their dating journeys.
Industry Shifts and Future Trends
The year also saw Love Island USA and a resurgence of yearners on social media, fueling record growth in virtual relationships. TechCrunch reported the AI companion market grew more than 96% since 2024, while Apptopia noted a 7% drop in overall app engagement.
- AI-driven matchmaking becomes mainstream.
- Offline meet-ups rise, driven by influencer and event platforms.
- User engagement on apps falls, pushing companies toward authenticity.
Key Takeaways
- Dating apps are blending AI and real-world meet-ups to boost connection.
- User engagement has slipped 7% year-over-year, while AI companion growth hits 96%.
- Offline events, especially board-game and friending meet-ups, are booming.
As the industry pivots, the focus shifts from quantity to quality, with technology serving as a bridge rather than a barrier to genuine human interaction.
