Swipe Trends has looked back on the year and reflected on the dating trends it sees amongst its users. And it has revealed some interesting learnings based on this.

First off, side-eye emojis are on the rise. This was the number one trending emoji globally this year on Tinder and a major plus for members who want to keep their matches honest.

1. Side-eye emojis

The eyes emoji (also known as the side-eye) was one of the most popular emojis used by Tinder members this year. It showed a big increase in usage, and its use was accompanied by a mix of optimism and skepticism on the dating app throughout the year.

The Eyes emoji has several uses, and is sometimes interpreted as a sign of approval for an attractive photo posted online. It can also be a way to show disapproval.

In addition to expressing emotions, the eyes emoji is often used for flirting or making funny observations. The emoji has several different representations, including a face with rolling eyes, a big eye, and a shifty eye.

Regardless of how the emoji is used, there are certain things that you should keep in mind when using it. Some of these things include:

As a result, if you’re planning on using the eyes emoji to flirt with someone, you should be sure that you know exactly what it means. That way, you can avoid any potential miscommunications with your date.

Aside from being a great way to get attention, the eyes emoji can also be used as a way to indicate how you feel about your date. It can be a way to tell your date that you find them attractive, or that you’re not at all interested in pursuing the relationship further.

Another important thing to remember is that it’s important to not use the eyes emoji in a mean-spirited manner. Instead, be kind and polite.

Despite the fact that they are still sceptical about relationships, many Tinder users prefer to go on casual dates and even have “situationships.” These types of relationships are usually casual connections that don’t involve seeing each other, but are still well-defined.

2. Positivity

Aside from the fact that positive people are generally happier, they also tend to have better health, relationships, and even longer lives than those with negative mindsets. While this may not seem like a surprising conclusion, there’s actually a lot of legitimate science to back it up.

Researchers have a wide range of findings about positivity, from its benefits to its dangers. June Gruber, for example, has found that people with high levels of happiness tend to have a hard time relating to others who are feeling less positive than they are, which can lead to an empathy blind spot.

This, in turn, makes them more likely to suffer from depression or other mental health problems. As such, being too positive can be unhealthy if taken too far.

Another study by Elizabeth Tenney and her colleagues found that people who are optimistic about their upcoming tasks tend to be more motivated when faced with challenges.

Positivity is not an easy habit to maintain, however. It requires the conscious adoption of several traits, such as acceptance, resilience, gratitude, mindfulness, and integrity.

The good news is that these attributes can be adopted through daily activities. They can be cultivated through simple actions, such as reading or listening to positive books, or more serious exercises, such as yoga and meditation.

Aside from these, there are also a variety of games and exercises that can help you cultivate a more positive mindset. These can be done in both the online and offline worlds, and they can be as fun or as challenging as you want them to be.

Tinder’s Year in Swipe Trends also revealed that a growing number of young singles are preferring situationships. These are casual connections that are not quite formal relationships, but don’t involve seeing each other too often.

3. Situationships

This year has seen a number of dating trends come and go. From cuffing to explori-dating, snow-storming and back-burner relationships, there has been a lot of change.

But there are some dating trends that have stayed steady and are here to stay. These trends include new relationship labels and stances on social issues, sober dating trends and the hot new emojis that are popping up in Tinder chat.

One of the most popular trends this year is “situationships,” which refer to relationships that are more than hookups and are not traditional relationships, according to Tinder. The company saw a 49 percent increase in members adding the new relationship intention to their profiles this year and over 1 in 10 surveyed young singles said they prefer situationships as a way to develop a relationship with less pressure.

A situationship is a great way to try out dating without worrying about committing, says Abby Medcalf, PhD, a relationship expert in Berkeley, California. It also gives you the freedom to date a variety of people, which is important for evaluating compatibility, she says.

In addition, a situationship is a great way to meet new people and have fun together, says Tinder’s head of product, Mike Tong. It can also give you a chance to get to know someone who you might be interested in getting to know more deeply in the future, Tong says.

It’s a good idea to have discussions about how long you want to spend with each other, he adds. It’s also important to set boundaries and keep communication open.

In addition to that, a lot of singles are looking for partners who share their values and whose stance on social issues aligns with their own. This was reflected in the rise of activism and voter rights interests this year, which increased by 84 per cent and 37 per cent respectively in Tinder profiles.

4. Blind Dates

Blind dates are a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle. However, you need to be careful and take your time to find out how the date will work. You can ask friends and family to set you up, or go online and sign up for a dating app.

The millennial-led app Tinder is a popular choice for singles looking to meet new people, and it’s constantly trying out new features that appeal to younger users. This year, it added a Blind Date feature that matches members before they’ve seen their profiles.

In tests, those who used the feature made 40% more matches than those who used a Fast Chat feature where their profile was visible. According to the company, this was a response to Gen Z’s desire for authentic connections.

Whether you’re looking for a romantic relationship or just some fun in the sun, blind dates are a great option. But you should be aware that they can also be pretty awkward and embarrassing, so you need to be smart about them.

It’s best to go into a blind date with the right attitude and know what you want out of it, as well as be confident. If you’re nervous or overly eager, it can turn into a disaster.

If you’re going to go on a blind date, be sure to dress appropriately. Ideally, you’ll wear a button down shirt in a print like navy and white check or plaid, Nicola Harrison Ruiz, founder of image and style consultancy Harrison Style, told InsideHook.

In addition, don’t be afraid to use humor and play games on your blind date. It can help get you started and make the date more enjoyable for everyone.

5. Activism

Adding a cause to their profile is becoming an increasingly common way for singles to share their values. In a recent study, 66% of Gen Zers cited issues like climate change or gun control as important in their lives.

While some may find these issues unavoidable, many others view them as a way to get attention and make a difference in the world. This is a trend that millennials have been following since the late 2000s, but Generation Z is taking things to the next level.

Tinder members across the globe have been showcasing their activism in various ways, from including the Ukrainian flag on their profiles to advocating for vaccination. These stances are a great way to show that you are respectful of social issues, and they could be a sign that you are interested in dating someone who shares your beliefs.

One student from Bengaluru, Ananya*, found a unique way to use her Tinder bio to drum up support for her local protests. She posted her photos from the protests, as well as banners and information about them on her profile, and got a lot of responses.

She says her profile has been taken down twice by Tinder after she started posting about the protests. She has also heard that others have gotten theirs taken down.

As the election nears, and current event issues become more fraught, more people are opting to include their political preferences in their profiles. While it can be a great way to connect with people who share your views, there are still some risks involved. If you are a person who tends to be sensitive about issues, or who has experienced negative treatment by someone who shares your political views, it may not be worth putting this information on your profile.