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November 03, 2023
Dating Affiliate Marketing: Trends & Insights for 2023-2024
Dating is one of the oldest affiliate marketing niches and remains incredibly popular. With over 300 million people worldwide using dating apps, this niche continues to grow rapidly. However, if you’re an affiliate marketer looking to maximize your earnings in dating, it’s essential to stay up to date with the latest trends.
Current State of the Dating Niche
The dating niche is very much alive and thriving. Here’s a quick overview of the current landscape:
- The U.S. remains the largest and most profitable GEO for dating offers, but interest is rising globally.
- European and Asian countries are becoming increasingly popular for online dating.
- LGBTQ dating is just as popular as heterosexual dating.
- Natural-looking creatives tend to perform best across the board.
Many of these trends will continue to shape the market into 2024 and beyond.
Key Dating Trends in 2023
Here are some major dating trends we’ve seen this year:
1. Mobile-First Approach
Mobile usage dominates dating traffic. People spend on average 3+ hours daily on their phones, making mobile traffic easier to convert. Mobile-first strategies will remain critical as more users rely on their devices for dating.
2. Video Content Marketing
Video marketing continues to grow in affiliate marketing. Expect more ad spend focused on video to increase reach and engagement.
3. AI and Personalization
AI is transforming dating marketing and platforms alike. AI automates many affiliate marketing tasks, saving time and improving targeting. For example, Smartlink networks use AI algorithms to show users the highest-converting offers. On the dating side, AI improves matchmaking by analyzing user behavior and could soon introduce VR/AR dating experiences. AI-powered chatbots also provide personalized interactions.
4. Niche and Micro-Niche Focus
Users want highly targeted dating platforms with like-minded people. This drives growth in niche verticals such as:
- Mature dating
- LGBTQ dating
- Cougar dating
- MILF dating
Predictions for 2023-2024
Looking ahead, we expect:
- More users adjusting app locations to find dates in new cities or countries.
- VR dating to gain popularity.
- Video bios and ads to become more important for building trust and authenticity.
- Increased social media advertising and in-page push notifications.
- Growth of niche dating verticals, especially LGBTQ.
- Expansion into new GEOs.
- Greater regulation around dating ads to ensure user safety and privacy.
Increased Regulation
Dating ads face heavy scrutiny due to sensitive content. Platforms like Meta prohibit ads featuring:
- Selfie images of people
- Promotions of “sugar babies”
- Promotion of affairs
- Sexual encounters
Safety and privacy are top priorities. Misleading ads risk hefty fines. Regulations are expected to tighten, so staying compliant is crucial.
Technological Advancements
Mobile apps remain the primary way users date online, including among older age groups. Marketers should:
- Target a wider age range
- Use analytics to refine audience targeting
- Leverage technology and big data for more effective campaigns
Emerging Sub-Niches
Sub-niches gaining traction include:
- LGBTQ
- Trans men and women
- Older dating segments
Notably, gay dating has surpassed heterosexual online dating in some regions, highlighting the need for specialized focus.
Global Expansion
Online dating is booming beyond the U.S. and U.K., expanding rapidly in:
- France
- Germany
- Japan
- China
- India
- Brazil
- South Africa
Preparing for the Future
To stay ahead:
- Collaborate closely with your affiliate manager
- Keep track of regulatory changes
- Make your ads easy to update and adapt
Though the future is uncertain, staying flexible and informed will help you thrive in this evolving niche.
Summary
The current dating trends offer strong revenue potential for publishers. Niche dating verticals are growing fast, and we provide advanced technology to deliver hyper-relevant ads based on age, location, language, GEO, preferences, and more.
To explore our creatives, CPA ads, and niche dating tech, register on our site today.
