OkCupid and Opendoor break down post-breakup behaviors

76% of daters say having to sell a place after a breakup is more stressful than a cancelled flight

Every March there’s a spike in divorces and breakups, leading newly-single homeowners to sell their homes quickly and download dating apps.

So this year, OkCupid is partnering with Opendoor, the fastest and easiest way to sell your home, to help these new singles out — because they’re busy enough with their dating lives! In March 2023, there was a 7.4% increase in Likes and 8.5% increase in Matches on OkCupid compared to the previous month, and we’re seeing similar trends this year. People are dating a lot on the heels of breakup season.

To better understand post-breakup behaviors, OkCupid in collaboration with Opendoor added new matching questions to the app, which garnered more than 65 thousand responses.

What happens after the dreaded breakup talk? The even worse “move out” conversation. On OkCupid, 86% of singles said they would move out after breaking up with a partner. Further, 55% of OkCupid daters would want to move out ASAP after a breakup, and 18% would leave within a week (14% could wait as long as a month; just 13% would not rush to move).

Most singles on OkCupid (80%) said they would rather move back in with their parents or couch surf (75%) than live under the same roof as their ex.

A majority of singles (76%) on OkCupid say having to sell their place after a break-up is more stressful than a canceled flight. Contrast that to homeowners that sell directly to Opendoor and can close an average of 3x faster than a traditional sale. That speed can mean less time on the pain of decoupling and more time moving on.

Finding your way out of a co-living situation and/or homeownership can add a whole new layer of stress to an already complex process — let alone managing a rollercoaster of emotions and some tough conversations. Michael Kaye, OkCupid’s Director of Brand Marketing and Communications, has some survival tips for the newly-single:

• Take a moment. Have clear expectations about if you want to be the one to move out or stay in your shared space, and fairly divide up your belongings accordingly. Remember, there’s two people impacted by this breakup, and being fair will help move the process forward more quickly.
• Ask for help! Lean on your family or friends for support during this time. No one should have to go through a breakup on their own. Ask your ex to leave for a night, invite your friends over, order in and start packing. A new chapter can be exciting!
• Keep yourself busy. Moving out of a place with an ex, or having an ex move out, is a big change. Be kind to yourself, and be patient with your emotions.

For singles who are navigating post break-up life and thinking about their next move, platonic co-buying might be a route to consider. According to Opendoor’s 2024 First-Time Homebuyer Report, 77% first-time home shoppers bought their home with a non-romantic partner.

And when it comes time to rethink that living situation with a new match, co-buying with romantic partners remains a reliable route for first-time home shoppers: 61% of Opendoor’s survey respondents bought with a spouse or partner in 2023.

Whether you’re looking to sell your home and move out — and on — with minimal disruption to your life, or you’re ready to meet your next match, OkCupid and Opendoor have your back.

Media contact: [email protected]

Visit Opendoor.com to learn about a stress-free solution for home buying and selling.

Download OkCupid for free now to meet your next match.

Opendoor’s 2024 First-Time Homebuyer Report: Methodology

The First-Time Homebuyer Report was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative first-time US Homebuyers using an email invitation and an online survey. “Homebuyers” are defined as those who purchased their first home in the past 12 months, between January 2023 and December 2023. Data has been weighted to facilitate tracking.

OkCupid and Opendoor break down post-breakup behaviors was originally published in OkCupid Dating Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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OkCupid Celebrates Two Decades of Connections

Twenty years of data shows what’s next for dating and relationships around the world

For the past two decades, OkCupid has matched daters on what matters to them through our matching questions, which have been answered 10 billion times. During that time, there’s been tens of billions of Likes sent, billions of Matches made, tens of billions of Messages exchanged, and hundreds of millions of photos sent. And from our #BlackLivesMatter profile badge to our I’m Pro Choice profile badge, there have been more than 6 and ½ million badges added to daters profiles over the past few years, signaling to other users what’s important to them.

INDE-DATING

While millions of Gen Z and Millennial daters on OkCupid are looking for a partner, they’re still proudly independent. When we asked nearly 1 million daters on our app, nearly 8 in 10 people said they consider themselves independent — and those who do are receiving (5%+) and sending (17%+) more Likes on our app compared to people who say they aren’t. Last year, there was a 181% increase in mentions of “independent” on OkCupid profiles leading into cuffing season (October to November), and we’re confident this trend is going to lead to healthier, more successful relationships in 2024. Focusing on yourself allows you to build your self-esteem, assess your own emotions, and fulfill your personal needs, leading to being able to bring your best self to a relationship.

POLI-DATING

Gen Z and Millennial daters are increasingly interested in discussing politics with their matches. Recently, nearly 20 million people on OkCupid said they enjoy discussing politics, and with more than 60 countries holding elections in 2024, this is set to become the most political year yet — in politics AND in dating. Globally, nearly 8 in 10 (79%) daters on OkCupid said they are open to discussing politics with their partner.

TRALATIONSHIPS

Honesty has always been an indicator of a strong relationship, but younger generations are prioritizing it even more. Because Gen Z and Millennial daters have grown up with social media, we’re seeing them embrace a culture of authenticity, honesty and transparency when it comes to their dating lives. They aren’t as guarded or private as Gen X, and transparency has become paramount to any relationship they enter into. When asked about the main quality they look for in a partner, honesty (33%) was the most popular response followed by respect (25%), open-mindedness (23%) and a sense of humor (19%). And mentions of “honesty” and “transparency” increased over 30% on OkCupid profiles during 2023.

DATEHEISTS

In 2024, singles are pushing shared religion lower on their priority list than previous generations. The percentage of daterson OkCupid who said religion is important to them dropped from 55% in 2022 to 50% in 2023, and we expect this trend to continue as more and more people meet online and date outside their cultures.

VIDEODATING

In 2024, singles will value their time even more. We asked more than 2 and ½ million daters on OkCupid if they video chat with a date before meeting them in-person. In 2017 when we first added this question, only 16% of respondents say they want to video chat before meeting. This jumped to over 20% in 2020, and though we expected this to remain a pandemic trend it’s actually increased as restrictions eased and has hovered between 21% and 23% recently. People want to make sure they vibe with someone before spending money and time meeting up with them in person. And those who are looking for a video date first get 15% more Likes and 90% more Matches on OkCupid.

Now that you’ve learned about our 2024 dating trends, it’s time to update your dating profile! People who complete their OkCupid profile get 200% more matches, so what are you waiting for? Download OkCupid today.

Media contact: [email protected]

New year, new relationship! Download OkCupid to find one today.

OkCupid Celebrates Two Decades of Connections was originally published in OkCupid Dating Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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The Scary Signs of Ghosting Just in Time for Halloween

Damona Hoffman, author of F the Fairy Tale, shares tips on how to spot the signs once you’ve matched

One of the most disheartening aspects of modern dating is the prevalence of ghosting — the act of suddenly vanishing from someone’s life without explanation. To help you navigate the unpredictable world of dating and avoid the disappointment of being ghosted, look out for these early warning signs that someone you’ve matched with might be a ghoster in disguise:

1. Past Behavior Predicts Future Actions

You’ve probably heard the saying, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.” This adage holds true in the context of dating as well. When assessing someone’s potential to ghost, pay close attention to their past actions. If they openly admit to having ghosted someone before, that’s the number one way to assess the probability of it happening again. This admission, coupled with whether they express regret for their past actions, can provide valuable insights into their future behavior.

2. Confirming Dates: A Sign of Respect

Respecting someone’s time is a fundamental aspect of dating etiquette. Confirming a date demonstrates that you value your date’s time and take the connection seriously. On the flip side, if someone doesn’t believe in confirming a date or only agrees to meet if they’re “feeling it” at the last minute, it may signal a lack of empathy and respect for your time. This casual approach to scheduling can be an early indicator of potential ghosting.

3. Initiating the DTR Conversation

The timing of the “Define the Relationship” (DTR) conversation can provide a window into a person’s attachment style. Those who avoid initiating “the talk” may have a fear of commitment or a preference for keeping their options open. Ghosting tends to be more prevalent among individuals who hesitate to make commitments. Their reluctance to define the relationship can be a warning sign for potential ghosting.

4. Handling Changes in Plans

Ghosting before a first date is a common occurrence. When a connection hasn’t yet progressed to the emotional stage, there may be less incentive to follow through with plans. Getting a sense of how someone manages their schedule and handles last-minute changes or frequent plan switches can help you gauge their level of enthusiasm and commitment to the date and therefore, how much stock you should put into the date happening or the relationship progressing.

5. Direct or Indirect Communication

How someone prefers to conclude a relationship can provide clues about their communication style. A direct approach, where they prefer a clear breakup conversation, suggests transparency and a willingness to address issues head-on. On the other hand, someone who favors gradually ending the connection may struggle with confrontation or may be signaling their intention to ghost. Understanding these communication styles is essential to interpreting their cues correctly, and not wasting your time if they resurface post-ghosting.

6. Introducing Dates to Friends

The act of introducing a date to your friends can offer a glimpse into the person’s level of commitment and accountability. Ghosting is more common when two individuals have no shared social connections. Someone prone to ghosting is unlikely to introduce a date to their social circle, as this would create additional connection points and potential exposure of their prior ghosting behavior.

In the intricate world of online dating, recognizing these early signs can help you make more informed decisions and establish open and honest communication with potential matches. While there are no foolproof methods to avoid being ghosted, being vigilant and reading the signs can enhance your dating experience and minimize the chances of experiencing the disappointment of unexplained disappearances. To help you out, I’ve written four new matching questions for OkCupid that will be helpful indicators of ghosters based on their responses:

• Have you ever ghosted someone after a date?
• Do you confirm your dates in advance?
• How often do you find yourself making last-minute schedule changes?
• When you’re no longer interested in dating someone, how do you usually end it?

And you can also check out OkCupid’s blog post on how questions you may not expect can help you spot ghosters, too.

Remember, communication and mutual respect are key pillars of a healthy future relationship so those are always the two factors that need to be met first before you can build a connection with your next OkCupid match. Happy dating!

Now that you know how to spot a ghost, download OkCupid and find a non-ghoster today!

The Scary Signs of Ghosting Just in Time for Halloween was originally published in OkCupid Dating Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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How to spot a ghoster

OkCupid data reveals how daters’ answers to matching questions expose their likelihood to ghost

Almost everyone has fallen victim to ghosting — and probably has been a ghoster once or twice themselves. But there are some people who are more likely to do the ghosting than others. And just like with real ghosts, it can often be hard to spot them right at first.

Enter our OkCupid data. We crunched the numbers to find how daters’ responses to various OkCupid questions reveal how likely they are to keep a conversation going versus let it fizzle. In honor of the spooky season, here are a dozen ways to pick out the non-ghosters from the ghosters.

Halloween

• Daters who don’t like dressing up for Halloween are about 8% more likely to carry out a conversation than those who don’t.
• Daters who prefer fruit over sweets are 23% more likely.
• Daters who say they would run in the case of a zombie apocalypse are 6% more likely.
• Daters who like scary movies are about 5% more likely.

Politics

• Daters who identify as conservative versus liberal are 26% more likely.
• Daters who do not prefer their date shares their political views are 12% more likely.

Love

• Daters who could say “I love you” before meeting in person are 21% more likely.
• Daters who don’t believe in sparks are 25% more likely.
• Daters looking for a relationship to last the rest of their lives versus a few months to a year are 11% more likely.
• Daters who are like the idea of falling madly in love are 11% more likely.

Family

• Daters who want multiple children versus no children are 16% more likely.
• Daters who value family over friends are 13% more likely.

Now that you know how to spot a ghost, download OkCupid and find a non-ghoster today!

How to spot a ghoster was originally published in OkCupid Dating Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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US singles are Canon-Bailing into the new year. Here are the top dating trends for 2024

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US singles are Canon-Bailing into the new year. Here are the top dating trends for 2024

Smash the date-triarchy? Here’s what single Brits identified as the top dating trends for 2024

The post Smash the date-triarchy? Here’s what single Brits identified as the top dating trends for 2024 appeared first on The Blog.

Smash the date-triarchy? Here’s what single Brits identified as the top dating trends for 2024

6 safety tips to help avoid scammers

Today is World Romance Scam Prevention Day

It’s officially cuffing season, our favorite time of year! Now that fall is in full swing, people are looking to match, chat and meet. And while most have the best intentions, there can be some bad actors to look out for. In honor of today being World Romance Scam Prevention Day, we’re sharing 6 tips to keep in mind so you can date safely.

1. Stay on the app as long as possible.

Scammers often attempt to get you onto another platform quickly. Stay on the app when getting to know a new connection; this helps keep your personal information safe, and means you can block or report the other person at any time. It’s a red flag if a match pushes switching platforms but delays a video chat or meeting up in person.

2. Use the tools available on OkCupid.

We encourage you to not only verify your profile with Photo Verification, but also look out for the verification check on your matches to help confirm they are the person in their profile pictures. You can also set up video chats before meeting in person to confirm your match is the person you’ve been talking to.

3. View crypto chat as a major red flag.

It may come across as friendly advice, but if a new love interest is giving you crypto or investment tips, there is a high probability that it’s a scam. Always report these interactions back to us so we can help monitor in an effort to keep everyone on OkCupid safe from scammers.

4. Don’t be fooled by “get rich quick” schemes.

According to experts, scammers will use techniques to focus on how a large sum of returns could improve your life. Be skeptical of anyone who appears to be wealthy and successful and wants to teach you how to invest and make money.

5. Refuse to send a match money.

Scammers often claim they need money for a Visa, customs fees, surgeries, family medical bills, car repairs or plane tickets to visit. If they appear desperate and money is involved, this should be a giant red flag.

6. Be aware that not all scams look the same.

Online scams have evolved; these days, most scammers don’t just come out and ask for money when first getting to know someone. They often don’t start talking about finance until months later after they’ve gained your trust, so be careful to stay vigilant and always note that someone asking for money is a red flag.

Download OkCupid and fall for someone you feel safe with this fall!

6 safety tips to help avoid scammers was originally published in OkCupid Dating Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

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10 spooky date ideas for this fall

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10 spooky date ideas for this fall

5 ways to maintain a healthy relationship

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5 ways to maintain a healthy relationship

Consexting: How To Uplevel Your Sexting Game While Respecting Boundaries 

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Consexting: How To Uplevel Your Sexting Game While Respecting Boundaries