Tinder reveals the 2026 dating trend."Friendfluence"Where young people have friends help screen Match partners, with over 77% of Thai Gen Z feeling comfortable introducing dates to friends from the very first day.
This Valentine's Day, get ready to end your singlehood. Tinder reports that during Valentine's Day 2026, Likes surged beyond 40 million, unveiling a new trend."Friendfluence"A new definition of dating that’s not just about two people, but about bringing in"the friend group"to act as experts helping to screen and decide, turning traditional dating into a fun moment shared together from day one.
In the final stretch before Valentine's Day (1 January – 14 February 2026), Tinder users are most active of the year, with data showing members sending up to 10 million messages daily, significantly higher than usual. Besides a 40 million increase in Likes, what stands out isthe "way of dating"has completely changed, described by the trendy term Friendfluence.
The term Friendfluence combines Friend and Influence, meaning the significant impact friends have on new-generation dating. Tinder's 2026 Year in Swipe survey clearly shows that 42% of single Gen Z worldwide let friends participate in love decisions, and 37% plan to go on double dates or group outings more often.
In Thailand, the sense of"the group"is even stronger. The Modern Day Dating in Thailand survey found that 77% of Thai Gen Z feel comfortable introducing their app matches to friends immediately, without waiting for the relationship to become serious or keeping it secret anymore.
Kirsty Dunn, Tinder Thailand's Communications Director, explained that friends’ opinions are as important as getting a Match. Friends act as"experts"helping to spot subtle signs (Green Flags/Red Flags) and boost confidence for newcomers steppingintothe dating world, making connections between two people more colorful and reassuring.
To align with the Friendfluence trend, Tinder highlights features designed especially for young lifestyles.
1. Double Date feature: Turns solo swiping into a team effort by tagging friends to match with other couples. Once matched, the system creates a group chat instantly. Data shows over 85% of users of this feature are under 30 (Gen Z and Millennials), as they find dating more fun and comfortable when sharing experiences with friends.
2. Share My Date feature: Focuses on safety, allowing members to easily share date details, location, and time in advance with friends or family. The survey found 48% of Thai Gen Z share their date plans with close ones beforehand for peace of mind.
This Valentine's Day reflects that the new generation’s idea of romance is not just about finding"the right person"alone, but about having a supportive network who shares every moment of dating. Friends have become a key piece that makes starting new relationships more confident and enjoyable than ever.