Dating in the USA: Meet Verified Singles Across America

The American dating market is huge and varied, from big coastal cities to small towns hours from the nearest bar. With so many single adults and hundreds of dating platforms competing for attention, the challenge isn't finding people, it's finding genuine, verified people. Smooch brings its 25-year track record of trust and identity verification to the US market, offering a safer alternative to swipe-first platforms.

The most reliable national picture comes from the Pew Research Center, which surveyed 6,034 US adults in July 2022 and published the results in February 2023. Academic research from Stanford adds a longer view: by 2017, meeting online had become the most common way for American couples to meet. The table below sets out the main figures, each with its year and publisher. These are the latest large national figures we could find.

Scam figures are included because they are part of the picture: they show why it pays to know the warning signs before you start. Our guide to romance fraud explains how these scams work.

Researchers Michael Rosenfeld, Reuben Thomas and Sonia Hausen used the How Couples Meet and Stay Together survey to track how American couples met between 1995 and 2017. Online meeting rose sharply, while most traditional routes shrank. Bars and restaurants rose too, partly because couples who matched online then met there for the first time.

In practice, most Americans mix both worlds. People join running clubs, church groups, volunteer projects, sports leagues and classes, and they use dating apps alongside them. Our city guides, such as dating in Chicago and dating in Seattle, list local places to meet people in person.

Dating before commitment. In the US it is normal to see someone a few times, or even see more than one person, before you agree to be exclusive. Many couples have a direct conversation (often called “defining the relationship”) rather than assuming. If you want something serious, say so early and kindly.

Who pays. Customs vary by age, region and the couple. A good rule is that whoever suggested the date offers to pay, and you follow your date’s lead if they would rather split. At sit-down restaurants, remember that tipping is expected in the US, so budget for it.

Distance and planning. Outside the big cities, many Americans drive to dates, so meeting halfway is polite. In places such as New York City, public transport and walking make spontaneous plans easier.

First dates. Keep the first meeting short, public and easy to leave. Our first date ideas and safety checklist help you plan it.

Most big dating apps follow a “freemium” model: you can join and browse for free, then pay for more likes, filters or visibility. Prices change often and can differ from person to person, so always check the official pricing screen before you pay. Our dating site prices guide explains what to look for.

Before you subscribe to any service, check:

1. The plan length: monthly, three-monthly or longer, and the total you will pay.
2. Whether it renews automatically, and when.
3. How you cancel, and whether you can do it online.
4. What the free version lets you do, so you know what you are paying for.

Read more on Smooch membership.

Age. Online dating is for adults. Smooch’s terms require members to be at least 18 and old enough to form a binding contract where they live.

Your data. The US has no single national privacy law for dating apps; rights depend largely on your state. Under California’s Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), residents can ask a business what it holds about them, have it deleted or corrected, opt out of its sale or sharing, and limit the use of sensitive information. The California Attorney General lists information about a person’s sex life or sexual orientation as sensitive personal information. Smooch’s privacy notice explains how it handles your data.

Subscriptions. The Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA) is the federal law on charging people online, and the Federal Trade Commission enforces it. The FTC’s 2024 “click to cancel” rule was vacated, and in March 2026 the FTC asked for public comment on a new approach. Dating apps are not exempt: in August 2025 Match Group agreed to pay $14 million to settle FTC allegations that included making cancellation hard, and the order requires simple ways to cancel.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, contact your state attorney general’s consumer office.

The FTC says nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam in 2022, with a median loss of $4,400. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded 23,159 confidence and romance fraud complaints in 2025, with losses of about $929 million. The real totals are likely higher, because many people never report.

Warning signs the FTC highlights include someone who:

• Says they are stationed at a faraway military base or working on an offshore oil rig.
• Offers to teach you to invest in cryptocurrency.
• Says they have sent you a valuable parcel that needs a “customs” fee.
• Claims to be sick, hurt or in jail and needing money.

If you think you are being targeted:

1. Stop replying and do not send money, gift cards or crypto.
2. Contact your bank or card provider straight away if you have paid.
3. Report the profile on the dating site. On Smooch you can block and report from every profile.
4. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.

To see what Smooch does on its side, read how Smooch keeps you safe.

Smooch is building active communities across America's major metro areas, with particularly strong presence in cities where singles value authenticity and safety over volume.

Verified profiles. While most US dating apps offer optional photo verification at best, Smooch uses multi-layered verification including government ID checks, credit card authentication, and AI photo detection.

Quality over quantity. Instead of millions of unverified profiles, Smooch focuses on a community where every member has been through real identity verification.

Built for browsing. Smooch has been running since 2001. Members find people by searching and browsing profiles rather than a swipe feed. See how Smooch works.

• Hiking trails in national or state parks
• Craft brewery or winery tours with tastings
• Exploring local farmers' markets on weekend mornings
• Live music venues and comedy shows
• Waterfront dining in coastal cities
• Museum and gallery dates, as many offer free admission days