The landscape of modern dating is shifting as users abandon traditional dating apps, citing safety concerns and a general fatigue with the swiping experience. This trend has led some, like dating columnist Jana Hocking, to explore alternative avenues, including social media platforms, for finding romantic partners.
Hocking, who states she has been banned from major dating apps including Bumble, Hinge, and Tinder, believes her ouster is a consequence of her public criticism of the platforms' safety measures. She argues that the apps' reluctance to implement mandatory identity verification makes them susceptible to catfishing and romance scams. Hocking recounts instances where her own photographs were used on fake profiles, leading to deception and potential danger for unsuspecting users.
"My crime, I suspect, has been raising uncomfortable questions about the safety of these apps," Hocking writes. "Questions like how, in 2026, can someone still join a dating app using a fake name and stolen photographs, then lure another person on to a date under an entirely false identity?"
The article points to declining user numbers across prominent dating apps. Tinder's UK user base reportedly dropped from 2.5 million in May 2023 to 1.5 million in May 2025, while Bumble saw a decrease from 1.5 million to 1.1 million in the same period. Bumble has also reported a 16.4 percent year-on-year decline in its global paying user base and a significant loss in market value. A YouGov survey indicated that nearly half of Britons found their app experience to be 'bad,' with 61 percent encountering profiles they believed to be fake.
These issues have contributed to a broader disillusionment. Hocking notes that even apps that attempted to innovate, like Bumble's initial women-message-first rule, have faced challenges, with Bumble now allowing men to initiate contact to stem user decline. Hinge is mentioned as an exception, bucking the trend with more engaged users, but still suffers from matches that do not lead to conversations or dates.
The perceived abundance of choice on apps, where users feel there is always someone better just a swipe away, has also contributed to the problem. This has led to a decline in men approaching women in person, as observed by Hocking and her friends during a night out at a pub. One man who made eye contact at the pub later contacted Hocking via Instagram direct messages, illustrating a preference for digital rather than in-person interaction.
Seeking alternatives, Hocking turned to social media, specifically Instagram, to find a date. She posted a series of pictures outlining her requirements: being single, age-appropriate, and interested in a relationship. She also included a questionnaire to gauge potential matches' suitability. While this approach resulted in a flood of responses, including many unsuitable or inappropriate messages, it also yielded several promising connections. Hocking found that Instagram provided more context about potential partners, including their lifestyles, social circles, and how they interact with others, offering a richer profile than typical dating apps.
The article suggests that platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn, by providing more comprehensive user profiles and a less transactional approach, could become the new accidental dating platforms. This shift indicates a move towards dating methods that offer more personal insight before a potential romantic connection is pursued.