One in three dating app users (34%) say they have used the apps for professional or career-related reasons in the past year. Nearly 1 in 10 say it was the primary reason they used dating apps.

The most common platforms for professional networking are Tinder, Bumble and Facebook Dating. The trend is consistent across age groups, with 35% of dating app users ages 18 to 28, 34% of those 29 to 44, and 33% of those 45 to 55 reporting that they used dating apps for job-related purposes.

Men (37%) are slightly more likely than women (30%) to do so. Professional use also rises with income. Only 27% of those earning under $50,000 used dating apps for networking, while 47% of those earning over $200,000 did.

Among those using dating apps for professional reasons, most say they were hoping to expand their network (63%). Others aimed to gain job leads or referrals (42%), receive job offers (40%) or find mentorship or career advice (38%). About 1 in 3 (34%) say they hoped to get a job interview.

Three in four users (75%) report intentionally matching with people in specific roles, and 2 in 3 (66%) say they targeted matches who worked at desirable or prestigious companies.

“More professionals, especially higher earners, are turning to dating apps as networking tools,” ResumeBuilder.com Chief Career Adviser Stacie Haller said. “Exclusive platforms like Raya and The League offer curated access to other ambitious users, blurring the line between social and professional circles. With fierce competition on LinkedIn, dating apps provide a more personal way to build rapport and get results. In industries where social capital drives success, turning a match into a career connection is strategic relationship-building.”

Among those who used dating apps for job-related purposes, 88% say they successfully connected with someone for professional reasons. More than half (51%) met their connection in person, while 37% interacted only virtually.

Most say these connections led to tangible career outcomes. Forty-three percent gained mentorship or career advice, 39% landed an interview, 37% received a job lead or referral, and 37% received a job offer. Only 10% say none of these outcomes occurred.

Additionally, 58% say they had a physical relationship with the person or people they connected with for job-related reasons. “On dating apps, people tend to show more personality and vulnerability, which fosters trust and genuine rapport. This creates a lower-pressure environment for conversations that can naturally evolve into discussing career opportunities,” Haller said.

While 12% of users were not honest about their true intentions, most say they were upfront about using dating apps for networking purposes. More than half of those who turned to dating apps for professional reasons say they did so because they believed personal connections were the best way to get hired (56%) or viewed it as a creative or strategic approach (58%). Others say they were motivated by a difficult job market (42%), desperation to find work or advance in their careers (29%) or a lack of networking opportunities elsewhere (22%).

“Younger professionals in particular feel a lot of pressure to get ahead in a hypercompetitive market. Traditional networking platforms, such as LinkedIn, can feel oversaturated and transactional, where everyone is pitching rather than genuinely connecting. Dating apps, in contrast, provide a more personal and low-pressure environment for building authentic relationships. The trend signals a broader cultural shift: professionals are moving away from rigid, performative networking norms toward more fluid, human-centered interactions,” Haller said.

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