Tinder's Year In Swipe 2024: Loud Looking, Nano-ships And Kiss-mets To Dominate In The Months To Come

Tinder's Year in Swipe event was recently held in Delhi and it offered a peek into what dating trends ruled in 2024, which ones are on their way out and what one can expect in the coming year 2025. One of the readings of the dating scenario was how people in the dating pool have finally gotten over situationships and it has finally dawned on them that one must be clear-headed with respect to what one wants.

The Cambridge's dictionary word of the year is 'Manifest' and it seems people out there too are now keen to manifest their partner of dreams. A lot of people on their Tinder profiles mentioned things like the were looking for a 'Man in finance', or a 'Gamer girlfriend'. Come to think of it, such specifics do allude to the fact that people out there are clear about what the want. So, when a person is being this vocal and specific about what they want and desire without feel apologetic about it, this trend is called 'loud looking'. And well, guess what, Tinder has launched a new feature called Vision Board that will help singles out there to create personalised mood boards after factoring in their past experiences and what they envisage for themselves in future.

Kiss-met is another dating trend that is on the minds of people in the dating pool. Wondering what it is? Well, it is all about people being forthcoming to the idea of living in the moment. So, if the see sparks flying on a given date, instead of overthinking about what's in store in future, people are willing to bask in the moment and seal it with a kiss. A Kiss-met embodies the idea of seeking out spontaneity and stumbling upon joy. It’s essentially a modern rebrand of the classic "meet cute."

Nano-ships is another dating trend that has assumed a lot of significance. It's all about people valuing small romantic connections. Picture this: You meet someone and the eye contact between you two stirs something in your heart. So, while on the face of it, it may seem like a no big deal, but people in the dating pool have realised that no gesture is small enough and it's all about appreciating the little sparks along the way. So, it's a good thing we can see more of this trend in 2025, right?

“Singles are embracing intentionality in their dating lives—being upfront about what they want and refusing to settle. This shift has driven three standout trends: Loud Looking, Kiss-met, and Nano-ships,” explains Melissa Hobley, Tinder’s Chief Marketing Officer. “These trends are all about empowering choice—whether it's confidently stating your needs while Loud Looking, savoring serendipitous moments through Kiss-mets, or finding meaning in micro-connections with Nano-ships. While last year was focused on 'dating for the plot' and casually exploring, this year, singles are stepping up, leading with purpose, and making their dating journeys truly their own.”

Another interesting concept that was highlighted at the event was how dating can be made into a team sport. This is a growing trend among people. In 2024, almost 60% of surveyed singles turned to friends for dating advice, and nearly 20% even asked a friend to pre-screen their date by checking out their social media profiles! Friends are officially the emotional support MVPs of dating, with nearly 50% of singles saying they plan to rely on their friends to navigate the dating world in 2025. What's more is that an increasing number of people are also into astrology and for them the cosmic alignment matters. It gives them the conviction to take things forward.

If you're wondering what people out there are looking for in their prospective partner or date, Tinder's report has some answers for you. As per it, people in the dating pool are prioritizing trustworthiness (40%), physical attraction (35%), shared values (31%), emotional availability (30%), and shared interests (28%). Talking about the deal-breakers, bad hygiene tops the chart at 50%, rudeness (44%), and talking too much about an ex (34%) are major icks. In addition, while financial stability is valued, 22% of singles also want a partner who knows when to log off and set work boundaries. At the core of dating in 2025 is a focus on clear, honest communication. It’s no wonder nearly 45% of singles are seeking a “Golden Retriever type” in 2025—someone loyal, friendly, energetic, and brimming with optimism!