Why Gen Z Is Ditching Dating Apps - and the Dating Strategies They’re Using Instead

Everything old is new again - and when it comes to dating in 2026, that statement has never been more true.

Nearly half of Gen Z are currently single, and they are turning away from the phone and turning back towards traditional, in-person ways of finding love. As a professional matchmaker with nearly 20 years of experience, this is exactly the shift I’ve been hoping to see. 

Recently, I joined The Today Show for their segment, “New Year, New Dating Trends: Tips for Those Searching for Love in the New Year,” where I shared some of the newest trends in dating for the year - including the power of authenticity in online dating and the rise of joining social clubs as a way to meet people.

The response was incredible, and it confirmed what I'm seeing every day in my work.

As a professional matchmaker, I see these dating strategies playing out every day in my matchmaking work - especially among Gen Z singles prioritizing real-life connection over dating apps.

Here's why this shift is happening, what these brave singles are doing differently, and how you can apply their strategies to your own dating life - whether you're 23 or 53. 

Meet the Singles Going Analog in 2026

Let me introduce you to three Gen Z singles who said "enough" to the apps and decided to take dating into their own hands:

1. Naomi: The Shy Introvert Documenting Her Journey
The Challenge: Naomi deleted all her dating apps and committed to finding a husband in actual social spaces. Not easy when you work from home and prefer staying in. 

The Reality Check: When asked how dating IRL is going on a scale of 0-10?

"Imagine a desert with tumbleweeds."

But here's the thing: it's only the beginning of the year. This is the first year she's totally off the apps and trying to be more intentional.

What She's Doing:

• Leaving the house every single day with intention: "Where can I go today?"
• Making eye contact (this is huge)
• Opening her body language
• Smiling at people she finds attractive

What Changed: Naomi realized she'd spent her whole life feeling invisible because she had closed body language and never made eye contact. Now when she sees someone her type, she's immediately trying to be open and smiling.

The lesson: Showing up is half the battle. Even if the results aren't immediate, the shift in mindset matters.

2. Myles: The Guy Who Went Viral for Asking for an Email
The Approach: Myles saw a beautiful girl outside the 1 train in a leather jacket. He walked up to her and asked for her email.

It worked.

How's it going? Around a 7 out of 10. The email situation is going well. They're talking.

Why He Did It: His parents met at a bar on the Upper West Side. His dad approached his mom. That's how it used to work. And Myles wanted to bring that back.

The Response: His video went viral because people (especially men) realized they need to do a little more. They need to actually approach people. They need to take the risk.

What He's Hearing Now: Men and women are messaging him saying, "I shot my shot. Maybe it didn't work, but I feel different."

The lesson: Breaking down the wall in person changes you, even if the person says no. And more people want to talk than you think. 

3. Laura: The Business Card Girl
The Strategy: When swiping didn't work, Laura decided to put her own spin on dating. She printed business cards that say "Call Me" in cursive on the front, with "XO Laura" and her phone number on the back.

Then she started handing them out at bars.

Did it work? Yes. She's gotten dates from it. Even second dates.

What She Learned: "It's just that initial rejection that people are afraid of. Once you break that barrier and start that conversation, it's really not so scary. People want to talk."

The lesson: A creative approach shows confidence. And confidence is attractive

Why Gen Z is Rejecting Dating Apps

Let's be real: the apps are getting boring.

Laura said it best: "Dating in real life is so much more fun. You have that spark initially when you meet somebody in person. There's nothing that compares to that online. It's not the same."

And she's right.

Here's what's happening:

1. Apps Create a Simulation of Dating, Not Actual Dating

People fall in love via text. They have weeks-long conversations with someone they've never met. They build entire relationships in their heads before ever seeing if there's actual chemistry in person.

Then they meet and realize: Oh. This person doesn't smell right. Or their energy is off. Or they're three inches shorter than their profile claimed.

The apps set you up for disappointment because they skip the most important part: the vibe check.

2. Apps Remove the Social Muscle of Rejection

When you get rejected in person, you learn how to handle it. You build resilience. You realize rejection isn't personal—it's just a mismatch.

But when you get ghosted on an app? That feels different. It feels like you weren't even worth a "no thank you." It reinforces a story that something is wrong with you.

Gen Z grew up with digital rejection. They never learned how to handle in-person rejection. And now they're realizing: the in-person version is actually easier.

3. Apps Make You Passive

Swiping is passive. You're waiting for the algorithm to serve you someone. You're hoping they swipe right too. You're waiting for them to message first.

But approaching someone in real life? That's active. That's agency. That's courage.

And that energy shift changes everything.

What Matchmakers Think About This Shift

As a matchmaker, this is music to my ears.

We started this segment by saying "everything old is new again." Well, matchmaking is the oldest form of dating. And what Gen Z is doing—approaching people in person, asking for contact info, meeting in social spaces—that's how everyone used to meet.

My parents' generation didn't have apps. They went to the mall. They went to bars. They talked to strangers. They got rejected. They learned social skills. 

Gen Z is rediscovering what we lost: friction.

And I want people to feel friction. Because friction is where connection happens.

The Matchmaker's Guide to Meeting People IRL 

If you're ready to ditch the apps (or at least supplement them with real-life connections), here's what to do: 

1. Participate in Your Community
Naomi is doing this right. She works from home, which means she's living a frictionless life. She doesn't have to talk to a barista. She can order Uber Eats. Everything is delivered.

But that's the problem.

You have to intentionally put yourself out there. That means:
Going to local sporting events

• Checking out programming at your local JCC, YMCA, church, synagogue, or mosque
• Joining clubs, classes, or groups
• Showing up to the same coffee shop every week (familiarity breeds connection)

The goal isn't to "find a date." It's to be in spaces where you might meet people who share your values and lifestyle.

2. Make Eye Contact and Smile
This sounds so simple, but it's the most important thing you can do.

Naomi realized she'd been walking through life with closed body language and zero eye contact. She felt invisible because she was making herself invisible.

Now she makes eye contact. She smiles. She signals: I'm open.

And that changes everything.

Matchmaker tip: If you see someone attractive, look at them for 1-2 seconds. Look away. Then look again with a small smile. That's it. You don't need to say anything. You're creating an opening.

3. Approach People (Yes, Really) 

Myles asked for an email.
Laura handed out business cards.

You don't have to do exactly what they did. But you do have to do something.

Here's how to approach someone:

Step 1: Make eye contact.
Step 2: Smile.
Step 3: Walk over and say something simple:

• "Hi, I noticed you from across the room and wanted to say hello."
• "I saw you reading [book title]. How is it?"
• "This might be random, but I think you're really attractive. Can I buy you a drink?"

Step 4: If they say no, say "No worries, have a great night" and walk away with your dignity intact.

The worst thing that happens? They say no. And you survive. And you feel different because you tried.

4. Stop Calling Them Dating Apps. Start Calling Them Meetup Apps. 

Look, I'm not anti-app. Apps are tools. But they're only useful if you use them correctly. 

The problem: People treat apps like dating platforms. They text for weeks. They build emotional connections before ever meeting.

The solution: Treat apps like meetup platforms.

Match with someone? Great. Have 3-5 messages. Then say: "I'd love to meet up. Want to grab coffee this week?"

If they say yes, meet quickly. Go for a walk. Get a gelato. If you vibe, schedule your real first date.

If they say no or keep stalling? Unmatch. They're not serious.

The mindset shift: Apps exist to facilitate in-person meetings. Not to replace them.

5. Lower the Stakes on Every Interaction

The reason people are scared to approach strangers is because they think every interaction has to lead somewhere.

It doesn't.

You're not looking for your soulmate at the coffee shop. You're practicing social skills. 

• Talk to the barista.
• Compliment someone's jacket.
• Ask a stranger for a restaurant recommendation.

The more you practice low-stakes interactions, the easier high-stakes ones become.

The Real Reason This Shift Matters

Gen Z ditching dating apps isn't just a cute trend. It's a cultural correction.

For the first time in over a decade, young people are saying: "The algorithm doesn't get to decide who I meet. I do."

They're reclaiming agency. They're building social skills. They're learning how to handle rejection, start conversations, and create sparks in real life.

And that's how connection has always worked. 

What If You're Too Old for This? 

You might be reading this thinking, "I'm 35. Am I supposed to hand out business cards at bars?"

No. (Unless you want to. Laura made it work.) 

But the principles apply at any age:

• Be intentional about where you go
• Make eye contact and smile
• Approach people you're interested in
• Use apps as meetup tools, not dating simulations
• Participate in your community 

Age doesn't matter. Courage does. 

The Bottom Line 

Nearly half of Gen Z is single right now. And they're done with the apps.

They're going to bars, making eye contact, asking for emails, and handing out business cards.
They're showing up to trivia nights, book clubs, and coffee shops.

 They're doing what their parents did. And it's working.

 So if you're tired of swiping, ghosting, and simulated connection, take a page from Gen Z's playbook:

 Put down the phone. Go outside. Talk to people.

 The worst thing that happens? You practice being brave.

 The best thing that happens? You meet someone who makes you forget dating apps ever existed. 

Ready to Date Like It's 1996? 

Read: Ask a Matchmaker → Get the full guide to dating intentionally in the modern world

Book a Matchmaking Consultation → Let a professional help you meet people the old-fashioned way (with modern strategies)

Join The Roundtable Community → Connect with singles who are tired of apps and ready for real connection

 Stop swiping. Start living. And remember: people want to talk more than you think.

Author

Maria Avgitidis

Maria Avgitidis is a bestselling author, podcaster, and fourth-generation matchmaker. As the founder and CEO of Agape Match, she blends a century-old family legacy with contemporary relationship psychology, matching high-achieving singles through a refined, community-driven process that has produced thousands of meaningful matches.