“Clear-Coding,” “Friendfluence,” and Other 2026 Dating Trends to Watch

Each new year brings its own new crop of dating trends that both shape and reflect the way daters are thinking about and engaging with their love lives. If 2025 was the year of “Shrekking,” “monkey-barring,” and “chalance,” then 2026 is poised to be all about “clear-coding,” “hot-take dating,” “emotional vibe coding,” and “friendfluence”—at least according to Tinder’s annual Year in Swipe Report.

The dating app’s latest forecast re: the state of modern love identified these four trends as the ones to keep an eye out for next year. Per the report, these trends highlight shared values set to reshape dating culture in the coming months. Clarity, confidence, and honest self-expression seem to be major themes, with the report citing research to indicate that today’s daters are heading into 2026 “more open, honest, and emotionally fluent than ever.”

As far as dating trends go, you might say this all sounds surprisingly nontoxic—and that’s the point. According to Tinder’s Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa Hobley, daters are done with confusion and drama and are just “looking for a connection that feels easy, honest and a little bit fun.”

I think an easy, honest, and fun year in dating is something we’d all like to see. So to help manifest ease, honesty, and fun in your own love life next year, here’s more info on Tinder’s top dating trend predictions for 2026.

Per Tinder, “clear-coding” means being upfront with everyone—from potential matches to potential partners—about what you’re looking for from your love life. The Year-in-Swipe report found that 64 percent of daters think the dating landscape is in desperate need of more emotional honesty, and 60 percent are craving clearer communication when it comes to intentions.

Daters are ready to get real about their feelings this year, and they want a partner who’s willing to do the same. Tinder’s Year-in-Swipe report found that 56 percent of daters put a premium on honest conversations, while 45 want more empathy from someone they’re dating. Basically, wearing your heart on your sleeve and not being afraid to communicate openly about your feelings is in for 2026.

Singles are seeking someone with strong opinions and who isn’t afraid to stand behind them. And while the Tinder data found that 37 percent of daters are looking for someone with shared values, others aren’t shying away from a little debate, with 46 percent saying they’d be open to dating someone with opposing political views. Per the report, this is less about “being divisive” than it is about “being authentic” and looking for the same. Authenticity is hot, and daters are willing to put up with differences if it means being real.

2026 is the year we merge our social lives with our dating lives, with 42 percent of singles citing their friends as a major influence on their love life, per the report. Meanwhile, 37 percent of daters said they’re looking to go on double dates and group dates in the new year, and 34 percent revealed they look to their friends’ relationships as a source of hope for the future of their own love lives.

And speaking of hope, Tinder identified “hopeful” as the word of the year to define dating in 2026. That’s right, hopeful!

All of which is to say: Yes, there is hope for the future of dating! May 2026 be the best year for your love life yet.

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