If you think dating after 50 is rare or risky, think again. In 2025, it’s not just possible — it’s thriving.

Here are ten facts and stats that show why online dating has become the most effective, empowering way to meet your match in your “second act.”

Don’t believe me?  I’m a very data driven, strategic dating coach---and that is why over 65% of my clients are in long-term relationships.  Oprah called me the Top Dating Expert in the US after being a guest on her show 4x.   (If you are in the mindset of all men are looking for a nurse with a purse, or gentleman, all the good women are married---reset your thinking)I have included source below for this article.

1. The Over-50 Dating Boom Is Real

According to Pew Research, online dating among adults over 50 has tripled in the past decade. More than 1 in 3 marriages today for people over 50 begin online. Translation: you’re not the exception — you’re part of a movement.  

(BTW, I get asked if online dating numbers are shrinking---they are for the 20-something age group but huge growth for us---yay!!).

2. More Singles, Fewer Stigmas

Nearly 40% of people aged 50-70 are single — widowed, divorced, or never married. What used to be taboo is now completely normalized. You can thank technology and changing attitudes for that freedom.

3. The Math Works in Your Favor

For women over 50, there are 3.4 million more single men than women online in the U.S. alone. (Surprised?) And for men — you have access to a much larger, more diverse dating pool than your local golf club or social circle could ever offer.

4. Online Dating Is Efficient — Not Desperate

Think of it as the LinkedIn of love. You can filter by lifestyle, values, and goals — saving time, avoiding mismatches, and skipping the blind-date roulette. The average online dater over 50 meets someone compatible within 6 months when guided strategically.

5. Confidence Beats Youth — Every Time

A University of Michigan study found that people over 50 report higher emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness in relationships than any younger age group. That’s your secret advantage — wisdom is sexy.

6. Success Has a System

The most successful online daters follow a plan — high-quality photos, professionally written profiles, and consistent engagement. Those who invest in help (like coaching or profile optimization) are 5x more likely to meet “the one.”

That’s me—think of all the money you spend on golf, yoga, vacations, etc.  Why would you not invest money in your love life?   T

his is the most important decision you will make at our age---a romantic partner to enjoy life with….The University of Michigan has studied longevity and healthy living and this is their conclusion:  the romantic partner you pick is crucial.

Each day you do nothing, nothing happens. You know the right time to date?  NOW!   Text me for an appointment time at 702-494-7344 (I’m located in Palm Beach, FL).

7. The Algorithm Works — If You Do

Online dating sites don’t create chemistry, but they curate opportunity. Apps like Match, Bumble, and Silver Singles show that consistent activity — just 10–15 minutes a day — dramatically increases matches. The winners? The ones who log in and show up.

BTW----this where I come in—I understand the different algorithms each site/app uses—I’m not talking about filters.

8. “Second-Act” Love Lasts Longer

Research shows that marriages formed after 50 tend to have higher satisfaction and lower divorce rates. Why? Shared maturity, realistic expectations, and gratitude for getting a second chance.  (read my 2025 bestselling book on this: 2^nd Acts: Winning Strategies for Dating over 50)

9. Mindset Is Everything

The biggest predictor of dating success isn’t looks — it’s attitude. People who approach dating as an adventure, not a chore, are 70% more likely to maintain a healthy relationship a year later. (Optimism is magnetic.)

10. You’re Not Late — You’re Ready

Dating after 50 isn’t about starting over; it’s about starting smarter. You know who you are, what you want, and what’s non-negotiable. That clarity is the foundation of lasting connection — and it’s why this chapter might just be your best yet.

💡 Bottom Line

Online dating is no longer the “backup plan” — it’s the smartest plan.The people who succeed aren’t the luckiest — they’re the most intentional.

If you bring the same focus to your love life that you do to your career or fitness, the results follow.

Yes, I know this is a bit more serious than my normal writing, but I really wanted to dispel some myths around dating.

xx, Andrea McGinty

Founder of both 33000Dates.com and It’s Just lunch (I sold IJL a few years ago to concentrate on one-on-one consulting that works).

Sources:📖

1️⃣ Pew Research Center (2023) – “Dating at 50 and up: Older Americans’ experiences with online dating”

2️⃣ Stanford University (2019) – “Online dating is the most common way U.S. couples meet”

3️⃣ National Center for Family & Marriage Research (2022) – “The Graying of Divorce”

4️⃣ Pew Research Center (2023) – “Key Findings About Online Dating in the U.S.”

5️⃣ University of Michigan (2021) – “Emotional Intelligence Across the Adult Lifespan”

6️⃣ Berkeley Haas (2023) – “The Key to an Irresistible Online Profile”

7️⃣ eHarmony Relationship Data Report (2024)

8️⃣ Journal of Marriage & Family (2022) – “Relationship Quality in Midlife”

9️⃣ Psychology Today (2024) – “Optimism and Relationship Success”

0️⃣ Gallup (2023) – “Happiness and Confidence Among Adults 50+”