Tired Of Swiping? Young Singles Are Hiring Matchmakers Instead
Burned Out By Dating Apps? More Singles Are Paying Thousands To Find Love
Matchmakers around the world say they are working over time to help lonely singles find love as many believe today’s dating apps just aren’t cutting it. Matchmakers help people find romantic partners by using a combination of personal interviews, psychology, relationship coaching, and networking. People are finding that this approach may give better results on their search for love compared to the rigid algorithms used by popular dating apps.
“Matchmaking gives modern daters something they desperately need: structure, support, and truth,” shared Arlene Washburn, a certified matchmaker, during an interview with DatingNews.com on April 23. “We hold up a mirror.”
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While dating apps measure success through engagement — swipes, messages, and matches — matchmakers focus on real outcomes, humanizing the dating experience by establishing real relationships, commitments, and hopefully marriages. For many people navigating modern dating, that distinction matters more than ever, added Washburn.
Unfortunately, the real goal of finding a meaningful connection can easily get lost in the endless cycle of swiping, tweaking profiles, and chasing the perfect match. Amanda Harrigan, founder of the Perth-based matchmaking service HYTCH, told The West Australian, on June 23, that many of her clients are feeling increasingly “overwhelmed” by dating apps, exhausted by the constant swiping and repetitive messaging just to spark a basic connection.
“It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” she said flatout. “People are tired of playing the numbers game.”
Gen Z and Millennials are burnt out the most by dating apps.
According to a 2024 survey by Forbes, dating app fatigue is hitting hard — especially among Millennials and Gen Z, with 80% and 79% respectively reporting feelings of burnout. A full 40% of respondents said they struggled to find genuine connections on these platforms. Many also reported toxic or unsettling experiences: 41% admitted to ghosting someone, 38% said they had been catfished, and 27% experienced “love bombing” — being overwhelmed with affection early on. Shockingly, on average, users reported spending nearly 51 minutes a day on dating apps.
Now, many are shifting their effort to the matchmaking world for help. Matchmaker Alexis Germany Fox told PopSugar on June 12 that she’s seen a 35% increase in Gen Z clients since 2021, a shift she attributes to the pandemic’s lasting impact on how young people approach dating. Similarly, matchmaking company Three Day Rule reported nearly 50 clients aged 27 or younger in the past year — a dramatic rise compared to their usual annual average of fewer than 10 in that age group.
The trend isn’t limited to Gen Z. Viola Steed, founder of Solutions Matchmaking in Perth, told Vice on June 23 that she’s seeing growing demand among professionals in their 30s and 40s. Many are well-educated, career-driven, and increasingly disillusioned with dating apps that prioritize quantity over quality. They’re no longer just looking for chemistry — they’re seeking true compatibility.
But here’s the catch: access to personalized matchmaking services often comes with a hefty price tag. According to the popular matchmaking platform Tawkify, as of 2024, matchmaking fees typically range from $3,000 to $50,000. Prices can vary depending on:
The exclusivity of the service.
The length of the contract.
The level of personalization provided.
These costs reflect the deeply customized, hands-on approach that sets modern matchmaking apart from the swipe-heavy world of dating apps. But if you can’t afford it, don’t fret. Several popular dating apps — including Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid — have introduced matchmaking features that offer human-curated match suggestions, typically for an additional fee. For example, Tinder’s “Matchmaker” feature allows friends and family to asynchronously browse and recommend potential matches on a user’s behalf, bringing you one step closer to finding the one.
Would you try a matchmaking service to find love? Tell us in the comments section.
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