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The business of modern dating

Are in-person dating events the future for dating apps?

Evidence suggests that millions around the world are ditching the most popular dating apps to pursue alternative options. Users complain that swiping is not leading to dates or meaningful relationships, just admin and fatigue.

In our conversations, organisers of in-person dating events share their experiences.

鈥淐hemistry can only be assessed in person,鈥� Amber tells us. 鈥淵ou could like someone鈥檚 photo, you could like speaking to them on the phone but when you meet them in person there鈥檚 something different that can鈥檛 be assessed online 鈥� that鈥檚 a big part of why people are coming back to in-person events.鈥�

We also bring together developers of specialist dating apps, including an advocate of 鈥渟low dating.鈥�

(Photo: Amber Soletti, founder of Single and the City (NYC/Austin) with her husband Juan. Credit: Single and the City)

Presenter: Luke Jones
麻豆社 producer: Iqra Farooq
Boffin Media producer: Richard Hollingham
Editor: Arja Haikonen and Harriet Oliver
A Boffin Media production in partnership with the 麻豆社 World Service Outside Source team

Available now

23 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Sep 2026 11:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 11 Sep 2026 19:06GMT
  • Sat 12 Sep 2026 08:06GMT
  • Sat 12 Sep 2026 15:06GMT
  • Sat 12 Sep 2026 18:06GMT
  • Sat 12 Sep 2026 23:06GMT
  • Sun 13 Sep 2026 11:06GMT