# The slow burn is officially back

> New dating data reveals singles are ditching instant chemistry for deeper connections.
- Title: The slow burn is officially back · Cosmopolitan | Shortify
- Summary: New dating data reveals singles are ditching instant chemistry for deeper connections. Nearly half of daters are now willing to give people second chances…
- Keywords: dating trends, slow burn dating, kinsey institute, match singles in america, dating apps, second chances, attraction, first dates, gen z dating, ai in dating, ghosting, relationship values
- Source: Cosmopolitan — https://cosmopolitan.com/relationships/a73759695/dating-data-shows-slow-burn-is-back
- Author: Syeda Khaula Saad
- Published: 2026-09-17T17:40:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dating trends, slow burn dating, kinsey institute, match singles in america, dating apps, second chances, attraction, first dates, gen z dating, ai in dating, ghosting, relationship values
## Slow burn dating is trending
49 percent of singles reported falling for someone they didn't find attractive at first, according to Match and the Kinsey Institute's 15th annual Singles in America study.

> 49 percent of people reported falling for someone they didn't find attractive at first.
## Second dates are getting more chances
41 percent of singles will go on a second date even if the first wasn't exciting, up from 35 percent five years ago. This shows a real shift in dating priorities.

> 41 percent of singles were willing to go on a second date with someone even if the first wasn't super exciting.
## What matters more than chemistry
Great conversations, shared interests, self-improvement, and life goals are now driving relationship decisions instead of initial attraction or "the spark."
## Money is making people seek partners
More than half of singles say the economy made them more interested in finding a partner to share expenses with. 56 percent ranked more money in their top 3 happiness priorities.
## AI is reshaping dating
39 percent of singles use AI to improve communication, find matches, or generate messages. Gen Z is leading adoption at 67 percent, though 30 percent see AI chatting as a dealbreaker.

> 39 percent of single people admitted to using some sort of AI to improve communication, find better matches, or generate message ideas.
## Ghosting is on the rise
Only 35 percent of singles will reject someone face-to-face, and just 37 percent will send a text. Despite valuing emotional maturity and respect, daters aren't practicing these values.
## More people want relationships now
In 2021, 32 percent of singles weren't interested in relationships. By 2026, that dropped to 24 percent, showing a growing desire to find partners despite dating challenges.
## Key takeaway

Nearly half of daters are now willing to give people second chances and fall for someone they didn't initially find attractive, marking a major shift away from swipe culture.