Today marks the most active day of the year for singles looking for a connection. Known as Dating Sunday, the first Sunday of January kicks off the online dating world’s “Peak Season,” a flurry of activity that runs right through to Valentine’s Day. If you’re hoping to find a match, now is the time to get your profile ready.
The start of a new year often brings a sense of renewal and optimism, and this feeling extends to our love lives. According to Sera Bozza, Tinder’s Dating Expert, Dating Sunday is like “New Year’s Day for your love life. Everyone logs in feeling optimistic about a fresh start.” This collective motivation translates into a massive surge in activity on dating apps.
The Numbers Behind the Surge
The statistics from Tinder paint a clear picture of just how significant this day is. On Dating Sunday, the platform sees a remarkable increase in user engagement. Swipe activity jumps by nearly 13%, and the number of ‘Likes’ sent is over 10% higher than on an average day.
This heightened activity leads to real results. Users experience around 6% more matches than usual, with an incredible 380 matches happening every second. It’s not just about swiping; people are also more communicative. The number of messages sent increases by nearly 10%, and users respond, on average, 2 hours and 25 minutes faster than on the previous Dating Sunday.
This busy period isn’t just a one-day event. The entire “Peak Season” from January 1st to February 14th sees sustained high engagement. During this time, users send 40 million more Likes and 10 million more messages per day compared to the rest of the year. As Sera Bozza puts it, “It’s basically Black Friday for dating apps. When you’ve got hundreds of matches happening every second, it’s not magic, it’s psychology.”
How to Stand Out This Dating Sunday
With so much activity, making your profile shine is key. Tinder’s recent Year in Swipe 2025 report reveals what users are looking for in a potential match. Refreshing your profile with these trends in mind could help you find your spark.
What Matters Most to Singles?
Values are playing a huge role in compatibility. The top deal-breakers for many users revolve around social and personal beliefs. In 2025, the most important values cited by users included:
- Racial Justice
- Family Views
- LGBTQ+ Rights
Being clear about where you stand on these issues can help you connect with like-minded individuals.
Share Your Passions
Your interests are a great way to show your personality. In Australia, the top interests that received the most attention on Tinder were:
- Foodie
- Travel
- Tattoos
- Gym
- Camping
Adding these to your profile can be an easy conversation starter. Your taste in music is another powerful way to connect. The top artists featured on profiles in 2025 included Drake, Sabrina Carpenter, and Kendrick Lamar.
Does Your Star Sign Affect Your Matches?
Astrology continues to be a fun point of connection for many. According to the 2025 data, some star signs received more Likes than others.
- For Men: The most Liked star signs were Cancer, Pisces, and Aries.
- For Women: The top Liked signs were Aquarius, Cancer, and Capricorn.
Whether you’re a believer or not, adding your star sign might just attract the right kind of energy.
Make Your Move Today
Dating Sunday represents a unique window of opportunity. People are hopeful, engaged, and ready to put themselves out there. By updating your profile to reflect your authentic self and what you’re looking for, you can make the most of this digital rush. So, give your bio a quick refresh, update your photos, and start swiping. Your next great connection could be just a few moments away.