{
  "id": 409433,
  "title": "Dating apps tend to encourage age similarity rather than diversity",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/dating-apps-tend-to-encourage-age-similarity-rather-than-diversity",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-09T20:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/dating-apps-tend-to-encourage-age-similarity-rather-than-diversity/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Research from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Studies reveals that online dating does not encourage diverse relationships between same-sex couples, unlike different-sex relationships. A study conducted by Jisu Park indicates that same-sex couples are more likely to partner with individuals of a different race, education level, or age, compared to their different-sex counterparts. Despite the higher likelihood of meeting online, dating apps do not facilitate interracial or educationally diverse relationships among same-sex couples as they do for those in different-sex relationships. In fact, the study found that using online dating platforms was associated with a 37.4% lower odds of having a six-year or larger age gap among same-sex couples. Consequently, same-sex couples who primarily meet online tend to have smaller age differences, effectively reducing the overall age gap.",
  "summary": "A recent study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family suggests that dating apps do not encourage age diversity among couples, contrary to popular belief. While same-sex couples are more likely to meet online, they tend to be closer in age compared to different-sex couples, who are more likely to form partnerships with individuals who have significant age differences. Research scientist Jisu Park from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research conducted the study, analyzing data from the 2017 How Couples Meet and Stay Together survey. The study found that same-sex couples are less similar to their partners in terms of race, educational attainment, and age, while online dating platforms do not necessarily promote partner diversity. Instead, detailed search filters and algorithms on dating apps might increase similarity by helping users seek out partners who perfectly match their preferences.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}