Young people are increasingly turning away from traditional dating apps like Tinder and Bumble. According to a BBC article citing Ofcom, usage of the U.K.’s top 10 dating platforms dropped by nearly 16% in 2024. Match Group Inc., the company behind Tinder and Hinge, acknowledged in a January 2024 letter to shareholders that younger users are seeking «a lower-pressure, more authentic way to find connections.» Many are choosing to meet people through shared-interest communities — such as hobby-based platforms or video games. But beyond these trends, other ways are emerging to achieve this objective both in Kazakhstan and around the world.
«Couple-building interview»
The Kazakh segment of the Internet is becoming filled with short videos of people humorously presenting themselves as dating candidates — complete with slideshows listing their achievements and personal selling points. Though often intended as jokes, the comment sections suggest a genuine interest: some viewers respond with offers to connect or even date.
Reportedly, the trend was started by Kazakh blogger Anelya Ray, who posted a video titled «Six Reasons to Date Me.»
«I am one of the female representatives of a ‘Married late’ risk group. So, to avoid the worst forecasts of my relatives, I would like to perform with a presentation.»
In the short video, the blogger presented her qualities favorable for a potential husband, including a willingness to bargain even at Zara and a good sense of humor, so good in fact, it could help build abs from laughter.
Another playful example comes from Kazakh stand-up comic Yerbol Bekishev, who puts a comedic spin on self-promotion. In his «interview,» he emphasizes his age — 46 — which, he claims, makes him qualified to discuss both the collapse of the USSR and Gen Z internet culture.
«Another advantage of me being 46 is that it’s not much time left for me to live — so everything I own will be inherited by you soon enough.»
Despite their satirical tone, these videos may still emerge as a viable way to look for dating partners, or at least entertain the audience.
«Leaving incognito mode»
Belgian artist Dries Depoorter has recently launched a dating website that matches users based on their browser history. Browser.dating requires 5,000 of the latest web browser searches to be processed in order to generate a profile.
«Instead of choosing the best pictures or best things about yourself, this will show a side of you that you’d never pick. You’re not able to choose from your search history — you have to upload all of it,» Wired.com quoted Depoorter.
The service provides five matches for free, and to access full functionality, a lifetime license must be purchased for at least €9 in a single installment. Note that users do not have access to each other’s full browser history — only to a summary.
Previously, Kursiv.media explored the concept of the «loner economy» and identified signs of this trend both worldwide and in Kazakhstan.
