Dancing on Niche Platforms: How Do Singles Meet on Date Like Goblins? An Empirical Study of Gen Z Dating Apps
Date Like Goblins is a crossover between dating and gaming, territory that online gamers have already waded into over the past two decades. It is indicative of a larger shift among single people. Some have been doing it for years and still haven’t found their match. More than half of people who have never been married report having used a dating app at some point, according to a 2022 survey from Pew Research. Some of the adults met their partner on a dating app. As many boomers are exploring the apps, Gen Z is ready to say goodbye.
“Why not show up as the version of yourself that they’re going to see and hang out with in the next three months?” says Lise Keeney, a publicist who built the app after struggling on dating apps herself.
“It’s hit an inflection point where people are really starting to pay attention to other ways of meeting—whether that’s in person or on more niche, specialized platforms,” says Liesel Sharabi, an associate professor of communications at Arizona State University who has studied niche dating platforms and dating app burnout.
These smaller platforms, Sharabi says, can provide a more “boutique-like” experience that might be more appealing than catchall apps because they know and understand their user base better.
It was true for the apps meant for daters, like Grindr and Feeld. Grindr saw 33 percent revenue growth last year, and Feeld’s user numbers were growing in 2023, too. In addition, there are apps dedicated to religion, fitness, and even rural users, as well as the one that connects lovers of video games.
Social Media Meets Gadget Lab: Lauren Goode, Michael Calore, The Many Lives of Carlos Castaneda
The person is on social media under the name, #byamandahoover. Lauren is called LaurenGoode. Michael Calore is a fighter. AtGadgetLab, keep the main hotline busy. The show is produced by a man. Our theme music is by Solar Keys.
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You could make butter coconut bars for the summer. Lauren recommends the recent episode of The Daily from The New York Times with Taffy Brodesser-Akner telling the story about her new book. There is a new podcasts called “The Many Lives of Carlos Castaneda.” Michael recommends that you listen to it.
Find a story about Date Like Goblins. Read Lauren Goode on “Date Me” docs. Read the book “Boomers” on the apps. Read all of our dating coverage.