Modern Dating, Undefined: Why "Exploring" Might Be the Realest Relationship Status of All

Forget "single," "taken," or even "it's complicated." In today's dating landscape, there's a new kind of status on the rise - one that doesn't box you in or ask you to commit to a label before you've even picked a profile picture.

Flirtini surveyed 2,000 global users (1,000 men and 1,000 women) to find out: how clear are modern daters, really, about the type of relationships they want? The answer? Not as clear as they might appear.

Turns out, more people are swiping with curiosity than with conviction. And while some claim to know exactly what they're after, many are simply figuring it out along the way.

So, what does that mean for love, connection, and the future of dating apps?

Let's break down the numbers.

Who really knows what they want in dating?

When asked if they find it easy to define their dating goal when signing up for an app, 84% of women and 71% of men said yes - they know what they want.

But that doesn't necessarily mean marriage or a long-term relationship. For many, "knowing what I want" means understanding a personal need to explore - both themselves and different types of connections.

So the real question becomes: how many people are actually dating to discover what they want?

Dating apps as self-discovery tools

It's not all about knowing - it's also about learning.

A striking 84% of women and 65% of men said they have used dating apps to explore themselves and understand what they want. That's a major shift from the old "goal-oriented" model of dating.

Apps aren't just matchmakers anymore - they're mirrors. For many, swiping isn't about finding The One. It's about finding yourself.

"Exploring" as a relationship status: Would it help?

Dating goals are complicated. So wouldn't it be easier if users could just say, "I'm exploring"?

Apparently, yes. 78% of women and 54% of men said that adding a status like "Exploring" to their dating profile would feel true to them.

Still, not everyone's on board: 30% of men and 13% of women said it doesn't apply to them. And a small minority (16% of men, 9% of women) prefer to avoid labels altogether.

But what happens when someone else shows up with that status?

Would you swipe right on "Exploring"?

Even if you're crystal-clear about your dating goals, it turns out you're likely still open to someone who isn't. A resounding 91% of women and 83% of men said they'd be open to dating someone with a status like "Exploring."

The takeaway? Curiosity isn't a red flag - it's a green light.

Pretending for love: How many fake it to fit in?

Not everyone on dating apps is honest about their intentions - especially with themselves.

An eye-opening 76% of women and 40% of men admitted to pretending they knew what they wanted, just to fit in. Why? Probably to avoid being judged - or swiped left on.

And it goes both ways. 64% of women and 43% of men said they’ve dated someone who acted like they had a clear goal… but deep down, was just exploring.

Another 34% of men and 20% of women had that sneaking suspicion.

The truth? Many of us are just figuring it out as we go - and pretending otherwise has become a dating rite of passage.

The case for normalizing "I don’t know yet"

There’s something liberating about the honesty of "Exploring."

In a world where dating apps can make love feel transactional, the freedom to not have all the answers is refreshing. It invites conversation, curiosity, and connection - without the pressure to define everything up front.

Flirtini’s latest survey suggests we might be ready for a new dating category. Not "casual." Not "serious." Just real. Just exploring.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s exactly where modern love begins.

Methodology

This research was conducted by Flirtini using internal polling. Flirtini researchers and experts surveyed 2,000 daters worldwide (1,000 men and 1,000 women) across all generations aged 18 and over. The data was collected in June 2025.