If you’re hoping to find love in 2026, today could be a good day to get started.
January 4 is the busiest day of the year for dating app activity, with the highest number of messages and likes sent.
This is largely driven by New Year’s resolutions and a desire for fresh starts, leading to huge spikes in users swiping, matching and messaging.
Matchmaking app Hinge has revealed that last year’s ‘Dating Sunday’ saw a 31.2 per cent increase in likes and 24.5 per cent increase in messages compared to the average Sunday.
Now, new analysis has pinpointed the best time to be online to try and bag an early date this year.
It turns out 7pm tonight is the peak time for sending likes in the UK, while 9pm is the most popular time for sending voice notes and messages on the app.
‘Following the festive period, people have time to reflect on the year, including what worked, what didn’t, and what they want to change,’ Logan Ury, Hinge’s lead relationship scientist said. ‘For many daters, this leads to a New Year’s resolution around dating and building new connections.
‘Daters are ready to hit the ground running that first Sunday in January and put their resolution to work. We see this trend reflected in our global data, with people refreshing their Hinge profiles, sending likes, and starting conversations with matches on Dating Sunday.’
Last year’s ‘Dating Sunday’ saw a 31.2 per cent increase in likes and 24.5 per cent increase in messages compared to the average Sunday, Hinge said (file image)
For those unsure how to take advantage of the global swiping spike, Ms Ury has pulled together some suggestions of how to make the most of Dating Sunday.
If you’re interested in someone, it’s worth sending a comment along with a like, she suggests, as this can open up a back-and-forth discussion.
Once you match with someone you should send a message as soon as possible, she said, as your best chance at getting a response is within 24 hours of matching.
Sending a voice note – which is now possible via the app – shows another side of you outside your prompts and photos, she added.
Data shows that conversations with voice notes are 41 per cent more likely to lead to a date.
A new year could also be a good opportunity to approach dating with an open mind, experts say.
Small tweaks – like adjusting your distance or age range – could open the door to matches you may have otherwise missed.
It’s also a good idea to refresh your profile, ensuring your pictures and prompts are up to date.
Ms Ury said many people set New Year’s resolutions around dating and building new connections, which leads to a spike in dating app use on ‘Dating Sunday’ (file image)
Dating hours around the globe (time refers to local time)
US
In the US, Hinge reports a natural progression of connection throughout the evening.
The most likes will be sent during the 8pm hour, messages during the 9pm hour, and voice notes during the 10pm hour.
Canada
In Canada, the most likes and voice notes will be sent at 8pm and the most messages at 11pm.
Australia
Meanwhile in Australia everything seems to happen at once – with the most messages, likes, and voice notes sent at 9pm.
Sending a voice note – which is now possible via the app – shows another side of you outside your prompts and photos, the expert said
Germany
In Germany the most likes will be sent at 7pm, and messages and voice notes at 9pm.
Sweden
While in Sweden the most likes will be sent at 7pm, voice notes at 9pm and messages at 10pm.
France
In France the most likes are sent at 7pm and messages and voice notes at 10pm.
Spain
In Spain, the most likes are sent in the morning, at 11am, while voice notes peak at 6pm and messages at 11pm.
Recent figures show that while the majority of Boomers and Gen X–ers met their other half at the club, Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to find their partner on a dating app
Italy
In Italy, the most likes will be sent at 11am, voice notes at 6pm and messages at 10pm.
Mexico
Finally in Mexico, the most likes are sent at 10am, the data shows.
Meanwhile most messages will be sent at 10pm and voice notes at 11pm.
