6 Dating Trends That Will Shape Your Love Life In 2025

January is historically about shaking the last 365 days from our bones and looking toward the upcoming year with excitement, hope and, for some, a laundry list of resolutions. For those who are dating, a new year might also mean shifting gears and approaching dating a little (or a lot) differently than the year before. Along with the changes we intend to make, the new year also brings new dating trends. 

"In 2025, I anticipate some dating trends that are going to place a lot of emphasis on prioritizing emotional attachment, affirming personal values, and accommodating the dynamics of contemporary existence," co-founder and executive clinical manager at Healthy Life Recovery, Michelle English, LCSW, exclusively tells Women. She expects people will put shared values first when it comes to relationships. "The dater is taking a more selective approach as to whom to spend time with," English added.

According to Bumble's The Buzz, a survey of over 40,000 Gen Z and millennial users found that 64% of women are "refusing to settle" in 2025, and being "clear about what they want and need" from the get-go. Because it looks like this year is going to be a big year for positive dating trends, Women not only spoke to English, but also Elizabeth Rodgers, founder of the dating app Capy, and Katie Dissanayake, a dating coach at After, about what's on 2025's dating horizon.

Micro-mance is about to be everywhere in 2025, so it's a term you want to learn now — if only to know what your fellow daters are talking about. Basically, it's the exact opposite of Lloyd Dobler holding a boombox outside Diane Court's bedroom window in the 1980s classic, "Say Anything."

"While grand gestures can be thrilling, the true magic of romance lies in making someone feel truly seen," Dissanayake exclusively tells Women. "In a world full of endless choices but limited budgets, singles aren't just searching for someone who can splash out on extravagant displays — they want a partner who pays attention to the little things that matter most and sees them for who they are." According to Bumble's survey, 86% of singles agree that romance can include small, intimate actions that don't look or feel performative, like sharing songs or memes.

Actions like this demonstrate you're paying attention to what interests your partner, says Rodgers. "Sharing music goes beyond just the lyrics; it's about the rhythm, the melody, and the emotions it evokes," she adds. "A song can capture a moment, a feeling, or a memory, making it a powerful tool for connection." Just remember not to go overboard and to pace these types of things. You don't want the person on the other end to feel overwhelmed or, even worse, like they're being love bombed, which the UK identifies as a form of abuse.

When Tinder published its Year in Swipe 2024, one of the major themes of the year was what the company called "loud looking." By Tinder's definition, loud looking was essentially not beating around the bush on your dating profile and being 100% upfront about what you wanted in a partner. But in 2025, loud crushing is where we should be turning up the volume. 

"It's easy to share stories about bad dates or vent about the red flags you've spotted in potential matches," Dissanayake exclusively tells Women. While people are typically all ears to hear about the bad stuff, gushing about someone great you're dating has started to feel a little "cringe," she adds. After all, if you've had negative dating experiences, incessant talk about dating success can make your skin crawl. 

But "in 2025, it's time to flip the script," says Dissanayake. "Enter 'loud crushing' — a movement to bring back the charm of openly celebrating your cutest dates and the thoughtful things your partner does for you. Let's swoon out loud!" Sure, you might annoy some of your cynical friends, but considering the impact a crush has on your brain, try leaning into those feel-good hormones. Your friends will have their turn to crush out loud eventually.

Let's be honest: living authentically isn't always easy. Especially when it comes to dating. You want to put your best foot forward and impress fellow daters both on the apps and in real life, but you also want to be true to yourself. That's sometimes a hard balance to strike, because everyone has their idiosyncrasies and quirks. However, Bumble found that 2025 is the time for authenticity — both in how we date and in how we talk our dating experiences. 

According to Bumble's survey, 42% of respondents feel less self-conscious in how they approach dating and love when others share dating stories — both the good and the bad. Another 35% reported feeling hopeful when they're presented with relatable and realistic dating stories.

"I'm calling this one: 2025 is the year we're tossing 'the ick' out the window," adds Rodgers. "Instead of being turned off by minor quirks, singles are going to embrace authenticity and let their freak flags fly. It's all about celebrating individuality and finding beauty in the unique traits that make us human, leading to deeper, more genuine relationships." Authenticity doesn't just matter, but it's a foundation on which relationships can grow and flourish.

In recent years, we've heard a lot about toxic masculinity. Although in some cases the term is warranted, in other situations it gets tossed around a bit too casually. Just because you date a man and it didn't work out, that doesn't necessarily mean toxic masculinity was at play.

Bumble's survey found that dialogues about masculinity (and masculine stereotypes) are being had more than ever. Perhaps because of this, 27% of male respondents said they fear that too many assumptions are being made based solely on their gender. While this could be a clear sign of male fragility, 53% of the women surveyed agreed it's time to dig deeper and stop lumping all men into one category, instead focusing on positive masculinity. 

Almost as if to double down on this mentality — and push for a different narrative surrounding masculinity — the survey found that 31% of women are more open about their dating lives with their guy friends, and 54% turn to the men in their life for input on why men behave as they do. Granted, not all men are the same, and you're not always going to get a set-in-stone answer that explains why men are the way they are. But, as Bumble found, turning to male friends for dating advice is becoming more common. Maybe that will mean dating bad boys will finally go out of fashion, thanks to the men in our lives. 

We've all heard that opposites attract, but that's not always the case. In fact, Bumble's survey found that for 46% of singles, sharing interests — especially niche interests that others might consider strange or even creepy — is what they really want. Half of the women surveyed said shared activities and hobbies allow them space to be their true and authentic selves, while 49% of Gen Z respondents consider "geeking out" with someone they're dating a form of intimacy.

In 2025, Rodgers predicts that singles will gravitate more toward niche dating apps and curated communities as places for like-minded people to find those who share their same brand of uniqueness. "In the vast ocean provided by mainstream dating platforms, casting a wide net often leads to unpredictable results," she says. "[A] targeted approach streamlines the search for meaningful connections, allowing users to engage with potential partners who resonate on a deeper level." This could definitely explain the onslaught of cosplaying couples you're likely to find at the next comic con you attend.

The future looks a little shaky right now. It's not just about the political climate or environmental issues — every day, it seems like something happens to prove life as we know it is a little strange these days. For 95% of singles, per Bumble's survey, concerns about the future affect how they date. Women especially, at 59%, want to make sure the person they're dating is emotionally stable and will stand by their side in case life gets rocky.

In 2025, this future-proofing trend — not to be confused with the toxic dating trend of future faking — is prompting earlier conversations about not just relationship status, but also what each partner wants in life and what might be in store for humanity as a whole. It's also why people may not be a big rush to get serious, and instead take their time when they meet someone. Michelle English expects the slow dating trend to grow this year, she says. 

"It promotes a dimension that puts the brakes on the exaggeratedly impatient need to always be seeing someone new," English says. At the same time, singles aren't hesitating when they do meet someone, engaging in meaningful conversations that connect to real life. "This may occur through extended phone conversations prior to actually meeting in person or virtual retreats, which are specifically designed to foster trust building through varying more sensible discussions," says English. Ultimately, it looks like 2025 is the year dating becomes more intentional and value-centered. And that's a great thing.