Plenty of Fish: Five Dating Trends to Watch in 2026
As 2026 approaches, dating culture continues to produce new labels for familiar behaviours — some toxic, some promising. Plenty of Fish has published research identifying five trends it expects to define next year, emphasizing more honest connection and clearer relationship language. The findings are summarized in a press release from the company and were discussed by Rachel DeAlto, Resident Dating Expert at Plenty of Fish.
“From seeking unexpected chemistry to confidently labeling their relationships, we expect daters in 2026 to prioritize clarity, honesty, and real connection over outdated rules and surface-level checklists,” DeAlto said in the press release. The report positions these emerging behaviours as reactions against more damaging patterns and trends that have circulated in recent years, such as throning and other widely reported phenomena.
1. ChemRIZZtry
Plenty of Fish calls chemRIZZtry the phenomenon of finding unexpected chemistry with someone you didn’t anticipate being attracted to. According to the research, one in four singles have experienced this surprise shift in attraction — framing the idea that charisma and vibe can override preconceived “types.”
2. Love-Loreing
Love-loreing describes people who date “for the plot,” saying yes to dates and experiences to see where the story goes. The press release reports that 37% of singles have gone on a date just to see what happens, and about half are chasing connection through new shared activities. Plenty of Fish’s guidance: if you’re dating for the experience, be honest about your intentions so you don’t mislead someone else.
3. Curveball-Crushing
Similar in spirit to chemRIZZtry but distinct in pace, curveball-crushing refers to connecting with someone outside your usual “type” and watching attraction grow over time. The company reports 42% of singles have experienced this gradual shift, a finding Plenty of Fish uses to recommend easing up on rigid checklists and focusing on interpersonal vibes.
4. Truecasting
Truecasting is framed as a move toward authenticity — “no filters, no facades.” The research finds one in four singles report showing up as their authentic selves from the first date, suggesting some daters are abandoning performative courting in favor of honesty and self-acceptance.
5. StAtuS-Flexing
The final trend, StAtuS-Flexing, captures a renewed willingness to label relationships. The press release notes that many singles are rejecting ambiguity: 64% report casually “dating,” 30% say they’re agreeing to be “exclusive,” and 62% use labels like “boyfriend/girlfriend.” The takeaway: more people appear willing to define connections and share that status publicly.
Plenty of Fish’s report presents these trends as a shift toward sincerity and clarity in dating. While the landscape remains full of odd and sometimes harmful microtrends (coverage of others has included terms such as Banksying and floodlighting), the platform’s research points to optimism: daters may be leaning into nostalgia, candidness, and openness to unexpected chemistry.
