Non-profit alternatives and more transparency in algorithm design could help to fix dating apps, Faculty researchers argue
Exploring the promises and pitfalls of online dating
Dating apps have transformed how people connect but are they really helping us find love? Two researchers from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures tackle this question in the latest episode of the University of Leeds podcast series ‘How to Fix...’, arguing that non-profit alternatives and more transparency in algorithm design could improve the dating app experience.
While dating apps have widened the pool of potential partners, they have also introduced new challenges, from ‘ghosting’ and ‘breadcrumbing’ to the pressures of self-presentation in an increasingly gamified digital dating landscape.
In How to Fix Dating Apps, Dr Natasha McKeever and Dr Luke Brunning at the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science’s Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships join Dr Alessandro Biraglia from Leeds University Business School to explore the promises and pitfalls of online dating.
The episode highlights how dating apps shape not only individual experiences but also broader societal trends. Natasha and Luke discuss the recent decline in dating app usage in the UK, the rise of ‘dating app fatigue’ among younger users, and concerns around monetisation models that prioritise profit over meaningful connection.
They also propose ways to make dating apps work better for users, including greater transparency in algorithm design, non-profit alternatives, and a more intentional approach to online dating.
Dating apps have changed the way we meet, date, and understand ourselves, but they don’t always work in our best interests. In this episode, we explore how they could be redesigned to better support autonomy, transparency and meaningful connections.
The ’How to Fix…’ series brings together interdisciplinary academics to discuss how their research could help to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. These podcasts aim to make the University’s research and innovation accessible to as wide an audience as possible.
The series is available now on all major podcast platforms.
