ARCHER, a dating app designed for gay and queer men, has released its inaugural annual trends report, The Naked Truth, revealing shifting priorities among users when it comes to dating and relationships. Drawing from insights provided by over 550 users, the report suggests that today’s gay singles are more interested in building lasting connections than simply pursuing short-term flings.
Contrary to longstanding stereotypes, the data shows that users are nearly six times more likely to be seeking a husband than a hookup. Additionally, they’re three times more inclined to look for a “love story” over casual sex. Emotional compatibility also seems to outweigh physical attraction for many: traits like good communication and emotional intelligence were reported as stronger green flags than sexual chemistry.
Still, ARCHER’s user base isn’t shying away from sexual exploration. About 57% of single gay men said they’re open to trying new experiences in the bedroom, and 20% shared that they have favorite kinks. Preferences also vary by location – Salt Lake City, Tampa, and Denver reported the highest concentration of top-identifying users, while cities like Cincinnati and Minneapolis led in bottom representation. Columbus stood out for its large base of versatile users.
To align more closely with user intent, ARCHER recently introduced “Looking For Modes,” allowing users to indicate whether they’re interested in hookups, dates, or friendship each time they open the app. Temporary status indicators like “Looking for now” or “Down to meet” further clarify user availability in real time.
While many gay dating platforms have been more closely associated with hookups in the past – sometimes intentionally, and other times an unfortunate consequence of how the wider world can perceive said platforms – it’s clear that many gay men are actively seeking real connections. Depending on the audience, this might mean that there are growing gaps in the market for gay dating platforms that can provide that kind of relationship.
