Dating Apps Make Politics a Swipe Right or Left Issue

Ever wondered if your date shares your political views? Now, popular dating apps are making it easier to find out. Tinder recently launched the "Take Action Center, " letting users show off their voting plans and important issues with profile stickers. Stickers like "Hot people vote (I’m voting)" and "Voting for reproductive rights" have become favorites. Meanwhile, OkCupid added new questions about voter behavior and election priorities. These changes reflect a shift in how users talk about politics, moving from specific candidates to broader world issues. Ashley Houghton, a 29-year-old Californian, considers political alignment a deal-breaker.

She brings up politics "right off the bat" when talking to potential partners. This trend started with issues like BLM and Covid cautiousness during the pandemic. However, experts warn that this could lead to further isolation from differing viewpoints. Bumble found that 48% of its users think discussing social issues is important for romantic compatibility. The Right Stuff, a conservative dating app, also focuses on shared values, though it avoids direct political prompts.

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