This Suuuundayyyyyyyy (you’re supposed to read that in wrestling announcer Michael Buffer’s voice), let’s get ready to daaaaaaaaate!
Traditionally, the first Sunday of the new year, known as “Dating Sunday,” is the busiest day ever for dating apps. After Xmas is over and the ball has dropped, singles who spent the holidays alone rev their dating engines and hop on dating platforms in search of romantic pursuits—whatever those may be.
And there’s data to back it up: according to Fast Company, “The number of messages sent on Dating Sunday is 22% higher than the rest of the year, while the number of likes are up 18.2%, according to data from Tinder. Users are also quick to reply—Tinder said that people respond on average 19.4 minutes faster than on any other Sunday of the year. Why Sunday? Traditionally, it’s one of the busier days for dating apps, compared to a Friday or Saturday, when users are more likely to be, um, preoccupied.
The holiday season often brings with it a barrage of relationship-related questions, particularly from nosy (some are well-meaning!) relatives while trying to eat their dinner. And to add insult to injury, it’s also the season when social media feeds are flooded with couples posting about their love—including engagement and wedding announcements.
For those who are single, the new year is seen as a clean slate/fresh start situation when it comes to using dating apps, especially for those who have experienced dating burnout or the dreaded swipe fatigue from seemingly never-ending swiping and less-than-stellar first dates.
So if you are looking to participate in the Super Bowl of searching for romantic connections, we have the perfect guide to get you going—check out our complete list of the top dating apps for 2024! We break down which platforms are best for serious relationships and the apps that work best for something less serious, if you catch our drift.
Takeaways
Dating Sunday is right around the corner, and this surge in use is both a boon for singles, as more potential romantic partners will be looking for love online, and for the dating app industry, which could use the boost.
Fast Company reported, “It’s also been a rough year for the companies behind dating apps, following a strong boost from the COVID-19 pandemic that kept singles indoors and online. Shares of Bumble were down more than 30% in the past year as of Wednesday afternoon. Shares of Match Group, which operates Tinder, Hinge, and other popular dating apps, dipped more than 13% from the same time a year ago.”
If you aren’t on one already, this is a great time to sign up—the usage stays booming until Valentine’s Day, so you have ample time to meet someone special!
