Tinder reveals the dating trends that defined 2023

Tinder has released its 2023 Year in Swipe, summing up the dating app's most popular trends over the past year — as well as some data that could help you improve your chances in 2024.

More singles were focused on the dating journey rather than the destination this year, with Tinder noting a 5.5 times increase in users including statements in their bios such as "Everything I do is for the plot." People prioritised cultivating their own personal experiences rather than fretting about finding The One, though their relationship goals were still the most popular information included on Tinder profiles.

Singles in the U.S. were also exposed as some of the most eager. Chicago and Los Angeles placed second and fifth among the top five cities around the globe with the quickest response rates, so maybe try changing your Tinder location to there if you're impatient for replies. South Korea was even thirstier though, with Busan, Incheon, and Seoul taking the other three spots. 

Tinder's 2023 Year in Review further revealed what many of its users are getting up to in their spare time. It turns out that while you may enjoy a good Shudder movie night, listing horror films on your dating profile won't necessarily make you stand out from a crowd. Around the globe, the most commonly listed interest on Tinder profiles in 2023 was "horror movies," followed by "hip hop," "tennis,' "voguing," and "walking my dog." 

However, while "horror movies" may be a popular interest to pop on dating profiles, it isn't the one that's hooking the most fish. 

Credit: Tinder

The most attractive interest you can put on your Tinder profile

Both globally and within the US, the most common interest found on Tinder profiles that people swiped right on in 2023 was "otaku." A Japanese word referring to obsessive fans of anime and manga, "otaku" has historically had a negative connotation in Japan, but has since become more mainstream both within the country and beyond.

The dominance of otaku isn't completely out of the blue. Though it's absent from this year's list, "anime" was the fourth fastest-growing interest on Tinder in 2022. Still, "otaku" is a decidedly unexpected entry, and certainly not an interest most would have guessed singles find appealing.

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The next most attractive interests on Tinder are arguably less surprising, with "cheerleading," "pilates," and "LGBTQ+ ally" taking out the second, third, and fifth places respectively. Tinder users did throw another curveball for fourth place though, with South Asian rice dish "biryani" coming in fourth. Though to be fair, who isn't interested in good food?

In sum, if you're a cheerleading otaku who loves biryani, you're probably a hot commodity on the dating scene right now.

Credit: Tinder

Of course, you shouldn't put anything in your dating profile that isn't true. If you haven't been interested in anime since your elementary school Pokémon obsession, listing "otaku" as one of your interests will probably just net you a few awkward, disappointing dates.

But if you want to eventually start your own SPY x FAMILY, it seems being upfront about your nerdy interests might be the best way to finally find your Tuxedo Mask or Princess Serenity.