Coffee Meets Bagel

New York, 16 December, 2025 — Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB), the dating app for intentional daters, today released the results of its first flagship Dating Realness Report 2025, uncovering what drives modern daters, the challenges they face, and how AI is poised to support their dating journeys.

Despite discussions about rising singlehood and the challenges of modern dating, the goal for most daters remains clear: finding ‘The One’ and journeying through life in a long-term relationship.

92% of daters seek marriage or a long-term partner
- 61% are looking for someone to marry
- 31% want a long-term partner
Almost 9 in 10 (88%) value being in a relationship

Despite discussions about rising singlehood and the challenges of modern dating, the goal for most daters remains clear: finding ‘The One’ and journeying through life in a long-term relationship.

92% of daters seek marriage or a long-term partner
- 61% are looking for someone to marry
- 31% want a long-term partner
Almost 9 in 10 (88%) value being in a relationship

Unsurprisingly, the top three life priorities for daters in the US are:

Financial stability - 54%
Health and wellness - 49%
Love and relationships, and family - tied at 47%

However, emotional connection stands out as the cornerstone of modern dating, with nearly every dater (99%) listing it as a must-have or good-to-have quality in choosing a partner. Physical attraction, shared values, and shared interests all come in at 97%, showing daters want both compatibility and inspiration.

Unsurprisingly, the top three life priorities for daters in the US are:

Financial stability - 54%
Health and wellness - 49%
Love and relationships, and family - tied at 47%

However, emotional connection stands out as the cornerstone of modern dating, with nearly every dater (99%) listing it as a must-have or good-to-have quality in choosing a partner. Physical attraction, shared values, and shared interests all come in at 97%, showing daters want both compatibility and inspiration.

For many daters, the desire for a relationship goes beyond romance. It’s shaped by social expectations and the universal need to feel supported, valued, and connected. More than half of singles (58%) say that not being in a relationship would make them feel like something is “wrong” with them - revealing how strongly culture influences self-worth. At the same time, 82% believe being in a relationship would boost their self-esteem, suggesting that partnership is often tied to validation and emotional reassurance.

This pressure doesn’t just come from within. A striking 84% agree that being in a relationship would make the people closest to them happy, pointing to a powerful social narrative: coupling up is not only a personal milestone but also a way to meet family and societal expectations. These sentiments illustrate how external pressures continue to shape American dating motivations, even in an era that celebrates independence and self-growth.

For many daters, the desire for a relationship goes beyond romance. It’s shaped by social expectations and the universal need to feel supported, valued, and connected. More than half of singles (58%) say that not being in a relationship would make them feel like something is “wrong” with them - revealing how strongly culture influences self-worth. At the same time, 82% believe being in a relationship would boost their self-esteem, suggesting that partnership is often tied to validation and emotional reassurance.

This pressure doesn’t just come from within. A striking 84% agree that being in a relationship would make the people closest to them happy, pointing to a powerful social narrative: coupling up is not only a personal milestone but also a way to meet family and societal expectations. These sentiments illustrate how external pressures continue to shape American dating motivations, even in an era that celebrates independence and self-growth.

While the majority of daters agree that being in a relationship is fun (91%), many still find it challenging to connect meaningfully, with close to half (45%) saying that a relationship is harder to commit to than a job.

The top frustrations reflect both mechanical and emotional fatigue, which may come as no surprise, with a significant 82% of daters who claimed to have swiped without intending to start a conversation or meet in person.

While the majority of daters agree that being in a relationship is fun (91%), many still find it challenging to connect meaningfully, with close to half (45%) saying that a relationship is harder to commit to than a job.

The top frustrations reflect both mechanical and emotional fatigue, which may come as no surprise, with a significant 82% of daters who claimed to have swiped without intending to start a conversation or meet in person.

Endless swiping without meaningful matches topped the list of challenges (54%), followed by getting ghosted or unmatched (47%).
- Gen Z is the generation most guilty of mindlessly swiping (85%) compared to millennials (79%).
After matching on the app, 43% of daters find dealing with mixed signals or unclear intentions the most tiresome/challenging.

Endless swiping without meaningful matches topped the list of challenges (54%), followed by getting ghosted or unmatched (47%).
- Gen Z is the generation most guilty of mindlessly swiping (85%) compared to millennials (79%).
After matching on the app, 43% of daters find dealing with mixed signals or unclear intentions the most tiresome/challenging.

“Modern dating is emotionally demanding, even more so than compared to previous years. We’re seeing daters prioritize emotional connection over all else, so it’s clear daters want relationships that are meaningful and authentic. But there is a growing tension between craving connection and feeling frustrated by the process - from ghosting and mixed signals to struggling to start conversations or keep them going,” says Dr. Terri Orbuch, research scientist and relationship coach, also known as The Love Doctor®.

Daters are increasingly open to AI in their dating lives, but with clear boundaries:

80% are comfortable with AI assisting in dating tasks, including responding to common questions, improving the quality of their profile, and remembering preferences
- Gen Z (83%) and men (83%) are slightly more comfortable using AI than millennials (77%) and women (76%)
Nearly half (47%) have already used AI in their dating lives, and an additional 23% would consider using AI
While many have already used AI to write messages or enhance profiles (54% of Gen Z vs. 40% of millennials), 88% want full control over its role
76% worry AI could feel inauthentic, but 78% believe it can enhance dating when it supports real human connection

Daters are increasingly open to AI in their dating lives, but with clear boundaries:

80% are comfortable with AI assisting in dating tasks, including responding to common questions, improving the quality of their profile, and remembering preferences
- Gen Z (83%) and men (83%) are slightly more comfortable using AI than millennials (77%) and women (76%)
Nearly half (47%) have already used AI in their dating lives, and an additional 23% would consider using AI
While many have already used AI to write messages or enhance profiles (54% of Gen Z vs. 40% of millennials), 88% want full control over its role
76% worry AI could feel inauthentic, but 78% believe it can enhance dating when it supports real human connection

Quincy Yang, Coffee Meets Bagel’s CEO of US and Canada, comments, “In a fast-evolving dating landscape where many apps chase the next shiny feature and encourage endless swiping, we’re focused on tools that help daters date with purpose. Features like Noon Push guide users to prioritize quality over quantity, giving them space to focus on meaningful connections. At the same time, we recognize the potential of AI to enhance dating, and we’re actively exploring ways to use technology thoughtfully to improve the experience.”

Coffee Meets Bagel fosters intentional connections by designing features that encourage thoughtful engagement rather than endless scrolling. Curated Bagels delivered daily at noon prompt users to focus on meaningful matches, while chats expire after seven days of inactivity, nudging daters to act intentionally and not let conversations linger. Our latest profile verification feature, now with over 80% of profiles verified, further reinforces our commitment to a trust-first dating space, ensuring users can connect with confidence and authenticity.

Quincy Yang, Coffee Meets Bagel’s CEO of US and Canada, comments, “In a fast-evolving dating landscape where many apps chase the next shiny feature and encourage endless swiping, we’re focused on tools that help daters date with purpose. Features like Noon Push guide users to prioritize quality over quantity, giving them space to focus on meaningful connections. At the same time, we recognize the potential of AI to enhance dating, and we’re actively exploring ways to use technology thoughtfully to improve the experience.”

Coffee Meets Bagel fosters intentional connections by designing features that encourage thoughtful engagement rather than endless scrolling. Curated Bagels delivered daily at noon prompt users to focus on meaningful matches, while chats expire after seven days of inactivity, nudging daters to act intentionally and not let conversations linger. Our latest profile verification feature, now with over 80% of profiles verified, further reinforces our commitment to a trust-first dating space, ensuring users can connect with confidence and authenticity.

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CMB Dating Realness Report 2025 is CMB’s flagship thought-leadership platform that explores the most current and real conversations around dating - daters’ concerns, aspirations, shifting norms amid changing environments across the key markets that we operate in. The survey wave was conducted in partnership with YouGov in November 2025 with N=1048 US respondents aged 21-35, comprising working professionals who are either actively looking for a relationship or not actively searching but open to one.

Launched in 2012, Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) is a globally loved dating app for those seeking serious relationships. Continuing on its mission of giving everyone a chance at love, CMB has facilitated over 250 million matches to date and counting. Over 91% of the CMB community is looking for a committed relationship. CMB has been named Best for Real Dates by Mashable, and over half of CMB daters say their first dates often lead to second dates. CMB is available for free download on the App Store and Google Play Store.

MEDIA RELEASE.

9 in 10 Daters still seek marriage and long-term relationships – and many are open to AI’s help

CMB’s first-ever Dating Realness Report reveals what daters are really looking for, what frustrates them, and how technology is shaping the future of dating.

Long-term love remains daters’ ultimate goal

Practical matters still a priority; emotional connection is most important when dating

Driven by the need for validation and weight of expectations

Navigating the online dating world: US daters find relationships harder to commit to than a job

AI: a helping hand, not a replacement

About the Report

About Coffee Meets Bagel