Seniors are logging on to dating apps
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Dating app fatigue is driving younger users away, but one demographic is just discovering the swipe: seniors.
Why it matters: As more older Americans live longer and increasingly alone, they're looking for love the new-fashioned way.
Zoom in: Apps including Match and OurTime "provide access and opportunity that may not exist organically in everyday life, especially after retirement, relocation, divorce or the loss of a partner," says Michael Kaye, director of communications at Match.com.
- AARP calls Match the best site for "serious relationships" for seniors.
By the numbers: Most adults 65+ are not longtime dating app users, per a UserTesting survey of 217 U.S. adults in this age group.
- 60% started using dating apps within the past three years. 30% started within the past year.
Here's how to get started on the apps:
1. Build an honest profile with recent photos. Write a bio that highlights your interests and what you're looking for.
2. Don't send money or share financial details. Use the app's messaging system before moving to personal email or phone calls.
- Meet in public places for first dates. Tell a friend or family member about your plans.
3. Avoid sharing too much personal information early (address, full name, financial details). Red flags include quick professions of love, requests for money or inconsistent stories.
Friction point: AI advancements are making it much easier for scammers to create fake profiles.
- Nearly 1 in 10 adults over 50 say they've had an online romantic connection that turned into a request for money or crypto, according to AARP data released in February.
The bottom line: Older daters may be late to the apps, but they're arriving as dating platforms are being forced to solve their oldest problem: figuring out who's real.