The top 5 dating trends set to take over in 2026

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The top 5 dating trends set to take over in 2026

If you're still following a dating checklist going into 2026, it's time for an update. Singles are rewriting the rules of romance, embracing spontaneity, and saying yes to connections that feel authentic—even if they don't look like what they expected. From redefining attraction to openly labeling relationships, the latest dating trends reflect a cultural shift toward clarity, genuine connection, and just going with the vibes.

Based on insights from nearly 6,000 U.S. members in an August poll, Plenty of Fish reveals the top five dating trends shaping how singles are connecting as we head into the new year.

An infographic on the definition of 'chemRIZZtry'.
Plenty of Fish


1. ChemRIZZtry: When the Vibes Hit Harder Than the Visuals

You thought they were just a friend of a friend... until they made you snort-laugh into your latte. Boom, suddenly they’re the unexpected highlight of your week.

Welcome to ChemRIZZtry, where charisma, charm, and unfiltered confidence outshine gym selfies and curated aesthetics. According to 25% of singles, they've caught feelings for someone way outside their usual "type," thanks to an unexpected spark.

Attraction isn't always love at first sight—sometimes it's love at first "rizz."

TL;DR: Forget abs—bring the banter.

An infographic on the definition of 'love-loreing'.
Plenty of Fish


2. Love-Loreing: Say Yes for the Plot

Why go on a boring dinner date when you can jump on a city-wide pumpkin spice taste tour or hit trivia night with a bunch of strangers?

Love-Loreing is all about saying yes just for the story. 37% of singles are going on dates for the vibes alone, and half are craving shared experiences to build that "remember when?" energy. Because every rom-com needs a good twist.

Be the main character in your story. Date for the lore.

An infographic on the definition of 'curveball-crushing'.
Plenty of Fish


3. Curveball-Crushing: Falling for the "Not My Type" Type

42% of singles have found love (or something dangerously close to it) with someone they never saw coming.

You wanted a hiker who quotes Tarantino. You got a baking-obsessed cat person who's afraid of elevators. And it somehow works. That's Curveball-Crushing, proof that dating gets good when it's unexpected, and that attraction can grow over time.

You: "I only date outdoorsy types."
Also you: Crying at The Great British Bake Off with your new S.O.

4. Truecasting: Come As You Actually Are

Fake hobbies? We left that in 2022.

In 2026, Truecasting is taking over. One in four singles is over the curated dating profile and ready to lead with the real stuff right away—awkward laugh, bizarre obsessions, and that embarrassing Tumblr phase included.

If they can't handle your deep love for Love Island, they're not the one.

5. StAtuS-Flexing: Defining the Relationship Is Cool Again

Ambiguity? We don't know her.

This year, 64% of singles are done decoding "wyd" texts and are boldly stating their status. Whether it's "exclusive" (30%), "dating," or "fully boyfriend/girlfriend" (62%), people are labeling their love again, and we love to see it.

It's giving AIM status in 2006, but make it emotionally mature. InSeRt CrUsHeS NaMe HeRe

So, What's the Move?

Come 2026, dating will be less about perfect matches and more about honest ones. You’re not just checking boxes, you’re checking in with yourself and whoever catches your eye.

This story was produced by Plenty of Fish and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

 

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Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

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Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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The top 5 dating trends set to take over in 2026

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The top 5 dating trends set to take over in 2026

If you're still following a dating checklist going into 2026, it's time for an update. Singles are rewriting the rules of romance, embracing spontaneity, and saying yes to connections that feel authentic—even if they don't look like what they expected. From redefining attraction to openly labeling relationships, the latest dating trends reflect a cultural shift toward clarity, genuine connection, and just going with the vibes.

Based on insights from nearly 6,000 U.S. members in an August poll, Plenty of Fish reveals the top five dating trends shaping how singles are connecting as we head into the new year.

An infographic on the definition of 'chemRIZZtry'.
Plenty of Fish


1. ChemRIZZtry: When the Vibes Hit Harder Than the Visuals

You thought they were just a friend of a friend... until they made you snort-laugh into your latte. Boom, suddenly they’re the unexpected highlight of your week.

Welcome to ChemRIZZtry, where charisma, charm, and unfiltered confidence outshine gym selfies and curated aesthetics. According to 25% of singles, they've caught feelings for someone way outside their usual "type," thanks to an unexpected spark.

Attraction isn't always love at first sight—sometimes it's love at first "rizz."

TL;DR: Forget abs—bring the banter.

An infographic on the definition of 'love-loreing'.
Plenty of Fish


2. Love-Loreing: Say Yes for the Plot

Why go on a boring dinner date when you can jump on a city-wide pumpkin spice taste tour or hit trivia night with a bunch of strangers?

Love-Loreing is all about saying yes just for the story. 37% of singles are going on dates for the vibes alone, and half are craving shared experiences to build that "remember when?" energy. Because every rom-com needs a good twist.

Be the main character in your story. Date for the lore.

An infographic on the definition of 'curveball-crushing'.
Plenty of Fish


3. Curveball-Crushing: Falling for the "Not My Type" Type

42% of singles have found love (or something dangerously close to it) with someone they never saw coming.

You wanted a hiker who quotes Tarantino. You got a baking-obsessed cat person who's afraid of elevators. And it somehow works. That's Curveball-Crushing, proof that dating gets good when it's unexpected, and that attraction can grow over time.

You: "I only date outdoorsy types."
Also you: Crying at The Great British Bake Off with your new S.O.

4. Truecasting: Come As You Actually Are

Fake hobbies? We left that in 2022.

In 2026, Truecasting is taking over. One in four singles is over the curated dating profile and ready to lead with the real stuff right away—awkward laugh, bizarre obsessions, and that embarrassing Tumblr phase included.

If they can't handle your deep love for Love Island, they're not the one.

5. StAtuS-Flexing: Defining the Relationship Is Cool Again

Ambiguity? We don't know her.

This year, 64% of singles are done decoding "wyd" texts and are boldly stating their status. Whether it's "exclusive" (30%), "dating," or "fully boyfriend/girlfriend" (62%), people are labeling their love again, and we love to see it.

It's giving AIM status in 2006, but make it emotionally mature. InSeRt CrUsHeS NaMe HeRe

So, What's the Move?

Come 2026, dating will be less about perfect matches and more about honest ones. You’re not just checking boxes, you’re checking in with yourself and whoever catches your eye.

This story was produced by Plenty of Fish and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

 

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