'I'm fed up of swiping': Why singles now want to meet IRL

Olivia Miller-Davis, a 28-year-old woman, expressed her frustration with online dating and the time she spends swiping through profiles. She mentioned that judging people based on limited information and a few pictures is not a reliable way to commit to someone. A recent study from online regulator Ofcom revealed that while 11% of adults use dating sites, the time spent on them has dropped from nearly four hours a month in 2023 to three hours in the previous year.

At a speed dating event in Guildford, Olivia met Edward, who shared her sentiment about the flaws in dating apps. He stated that apps are designed to keep users engaged, preventing them from finding the right person or getting married through the app. Love at First Sign, the company organizing the event, uses an astrological matching app as an icebreaker for people to connect in real life (IRL).

Event director Lissy Cleminson noted that due to remote work since Covid, meet-cutes have become less common, and people are more inclined to seek IRL experiences when dating.

Many singles at the event expressed their preference for having IRL interactions rather than just relying on online platforms. Social media influencer Candice Gallagher, who runs @Candilicious, attended 10 dating events in 10 weeks and believes that dating events are a better investment compared to online dating. She highlighted that online dating often results in "chat graveyards" with limited conversation, while IRL events provide better opportunities for meaningful discussions.

Singles attending the Guildford event agreed that dating events were more cost-effective, with a typical event costing between £15 and £30, often including a drink and an icebreaker activity. Rising costs, as reported by Barclays, have made dating less of a priority for many, with over a quarter of daters surveyed citing increased expenses as a factor. The monthly cost of dating, including apps, entertainment, and clothing, can amount to around £130.

Despite the growing popularity of dating apps, a new study by Match Group, the company behind Tinder and Hinge, suggests that meeting partners through in-person events is still significant. Out of those who had a romantic relationship, 21% of baby boomers met their most recent partner at a pub, bar, or club. Additionally, 20% of those who had a relationship met their partners through friends.

Match Group's head of strategy, Chine Mmegwa, mentioned that Tinder has introduced features like interactive music and astrology to attract younger users and is now focusing on bringing IRL experiences into their app.