In a significant revelation about the evolving landscape of modern romance, Tinder has released its Year in Swipe 2025 report, forecasting a major shift towards radical honesty and self-driven relationships. The report, released on December 3, 2025, indicates that singles are moving away from ambiguity, prioritizing clarity, emotional openness, and personal autonomy above all else.
From Mixed Signals to Clear-Coding and AI Assistance
The report highlights a decisive move away from guessing games. A trend dubbed 'clear-coding' is taking centre stage, where individuals state their intentions—be it a serious commitment or a casual connection—right from the start. Supporting this, 64 per cent of those surveyed believe emotional honesty is what dating needs most, while 60 per cent crave clearer communication from potential matches.
Interestingly, technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence (AI), is becoming a trusted wingman. A substantial 76 per cent of daters expressed willingness to use AI tools for practical tasks like planning dates, selecting profile photos, or crafting engaging bios. Authenticity remains paramount, with 73 per cent stating they know they like someone when they can be completely themselves.
Values as Dealbreakers and The Power of 'Friendfluence'
Beyond surface-level attraction, shared beliefs are becoming the new cornerstone of chemistry. The report identifies 'hot-take dating', where values heavily influence compatibility. 37 per cent consider shared values essential, and 41 per cent would not date someone with opposing political views. Notably, women (35 per cent) are less willing to compromise on politics compared to men (60 per cent).
Key dealbreakers now include stances on racial justice (37 per cent), family perspectives (36 per cent), and LGBTQ+ rights (32 per cent). Basic decency remains non-negotiable, as 54 per cent view being rude to service staff as a major red flag.
Furthermore, the dating journey is no longer a solo mission. 'Friendfluence' is a powerful trend, with friends acting as co-pilots. 42 per cent admit their friends influence who they date, 37 per cent anticipate more group and double dates in 2026, and 34 per cent find hope in their friends' successful relationships. Tinder's own Double Date feature reflects this, seeing high engagement from users under 30, particularly women.
The Indian Dating Scene: Biryani, 90s Nostalgia, and Quality Time
The report also shed light on what resonated with Indian users on Tinder in 2025. Top interests painted a vivid picture of personality, with photography, travel, biryani, foodie life, poetry, 90s nostalgia, movies, and music leading the charts. In terms of personality types, the ENFP, ENFJ, and INFP types were most common among Indian profiles.
When it comes to connection, quality time emerged as the top love language, followed by gestures, touch, gifts, and compliments. Leos led the zodiac signs among Indian users, followed by Scorpios and Libras. The causes they most frequently matched on included mental health, climate action, sustainability, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal welfare.
The overarching sentiment for the coming year is one of optimistic realism. The word 'hopeful' best described dating in 2025 for many. Singles are seeking 'emotional vibe coding'—genuine feelings without heavy drama—with 56 per cent valuing honest conversations and 45 per cent desiring more empathy around rejection. The ideal first date is simple and pressure-free, like coffee or a walk, and many are looking for a 'low-key lover' who is calm and consistent.
