Hinge’s New D.A.T.E. Report: How Gen Z Daters Can Close The Communication Gap in 2026

In 2025, the cultural conversation about Gen Z dating often centers around division, but Hinge’s new Gen Z D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends, Expertise) Report finds that they are still desiring connection with one another. After surveying more than 30,000 Hinge daters across identities, our new report reveals that 84% of Gen Z Hinge daters want to find new ways to build deeper connections with the people they’re dating. However, Gen Z daters are 36% more hesitant than millennials to begin a deep conversation on the first date.

This factor, identified by Hinge as The Communication Gap, captures the disconnect between the deeper connection daters want and their willingness to initiate it. 

In this new edition of our D.A.T.E. Report series, Hinge Labs, alongside Lead Relationship Scientist Logan Ury (she/her) and Love and Connection Expert Moe Ari Brown, LMFT (they/he), explores what’s causing that gap and how Gen Z daters can begin to close it in 2026.

What’s Causing the Communication Gap?

While Gen Z is the most fluid generation yet when it comes to gender and sexuality, old assumptions about identity, gender norms, and mixed signals still shape how daters communicate. These invisible scripts can leave both sides holding back:

• 49% of heterosexual Gen Z women are hesitant to start deep conversations on the first date because they want the other person to go first, while only 17% of heterosexual Gen Z men say the same.
• 42% of heterosexual Gen Z women feel like the men they date don’t want to have deep conversations on the first few dates. However, 65% of heterosexual Gen Z men say they do want those more meaningful chats in the beginning.
• 48% of Gen Z men hold back from emotional intimacy because they don’t want to seem ‘too much.’ 
• 43% of Gen Z women wait for the other person to initiate deep conversations.

As Moe Ari Brown puts it, “When there’s a disconnect between how we think we should act and communicate, and how we actually want to act and communicate, it can lead to really unfulfilling dates. Dates feel stronger when both people try and contribute in the ways they actually crave.”

The Best First Date Skill for 2026: Asking More Thoughtful Questions

The report also uncovered another obstacle to connection: the Question Deficit. This is the gap between the number of questions people think they ask and how many their date feels they ask. Even though 85% of daters are more likely to want a second date when asked thoughtful questions, they’re not asking as many questions as their dates would like.

• 62% of heterosexual and 61% of LGBTQIA+ Gen Z daters feel they ask enough questions on a first date.
• Only 30% of heterosexual and 25% of LGBTQIA+ Gen Z daters feel like their dates ask enough questions.
• There are three universal thoughtful questions for all Gen Z daters:
  • Follow-up question to something said earlier (61%)
  • Asking about personal interests (50%)
  • Asking about personal values (49%)

Tip: “Answer, then reflect back. If your date asks you something, answer—and then ask them the same. Don’t assume their silence means they’d rather listen. Even a simple “How about you?” keeps the conversation reciprocal.” - Logan Ury

A Vulnerability Hangover Means You Showed Up

Behind the hesitation to connect is something almost universal: the fear of what the other person will think about you if you open up. As a result, many daters experience a vulnerability hangover — when you’ve shared openly, feel exposed, and second-guess every word.

Hinge’s data shows:

• 52% of Hinge daters say they’ve felt ashamed after being emotionally vulnerable,
• Yet, only 19% say they felt uncomfortable receiving vulnerability from someone else.

That gap reveals the emotional side of the Communication Gap. Daters aren’t avoiding depth because they don’t want it; they’re afraid of how it will be received.

Tip: “Rebuild your tolerance. Practice small disclosures in trusted spaces. Over time, you can retrain yourself to see vulnerability as safe—and even exciting.” - Moe Ari Brown

Gen Z Is Rewriting the Rules of Connection

Looking ahead to 2026, Gen Z daters are experimenting with new ways to connect and close the Communication Gap, through tools such as sober dates, Voice Notes, and exploring AI. 

• 67% of Gen Z Hinge daters say they want to build romantic connections without relying on alcohol in the next year.
• 35% of Gen Z daters say they want to receive more Voice Notes from the people they’re talking to.
• 60% of younger Gen Z daters (18–22) say they’re open to using AI for dating help as a virtual second opinion.

Logan Ury encourages, “The Communication Gap isn’t permanent—it’s an invitation to be the person who goes first, who asks better questions, and who chooses vulnerability over the illusion of safety. The people worth knowing aren’t looking for someone perfect—they’re looking for someone who shows up honestly, even when it feels uncomfortable.”

Methodology

This report was developed by Hinge Labs, the app’s dedicated research team. Hinge Labs blends behavioral science, psychology, and in-app survey data to understand how people actually date today.

For this report, Hinge Labs surveyed ~30,000 Hinge daters worldwide in 2025, across genders, sexualities, and age ranges. Data was analyzed for differences between Gen Z (18–28) and millennial (29–42) cohorts, and segmented by heterosexual, LGBTQIA+, and nonbinary identities.