The Exact Time Messages Set To Peak on Apps on 'Dating Sunday'

As the new year begins, Dating Sunday—known as the busiest day of the year for online dating—has arrived.

Dating Sunday brings a surge of activity across dating apps and experts have revealed it may be the perfect time to start the year with new connections.

According to the dating app Hinge, 9 p.m. is the exact time when messages, likes and voice notes peak in the U.S., with the busiest window stretching from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

What Is Dating Sunday?

The first Sunday in January is annually recognized as the busiest day for dating apps.

"Dating Sunday is like the Super Bowl of online dating," Alexander Liebisch, founder of TinderProfile.ai, told Newsweek. "After the holidays, people are in a reflective mood. New Year's resolutions are in full swing, and finding love is usually high on the list.

"Add a little holiday loneliness and you've got a recipe for a rush of activity. By Sunday evening, the weekend is winding down and people are scrolling through their phones thinking, 'Maybe I'll meet someone better than Netflix tonight.'"

A file photo of a young woman smiling at her phone. According to data from Hinge, this Sunday is the perfect time to find a match on dating apps. Carlos Barquero Perez/Getty Images

Moe Ari Brown, love and connection expert at Hinge, agreed. "As we step into the first days of the new year, it's a time for reflection on the past and envisioning the future—a perfect opportunity for a fresh start," they told Newsweek.

"When daters feel hopeful about their outcomes, they're more likely to put effort into dating and pursue new relationships with optimism, rather than expecting negative results."

Hinge conducted surveys in November 2024 with 3,000 Hinge users across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Using qualitative and quantitative research to study successful daters, they found a 27 percent increase in likes and a 29 percent spike in messages on Dating Sunday in 2023 compared with an average Sunday.

Sunday evenings are ideal for connection as people unwind and prepare for the week ahead. "Between the hours of 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., we're often more free from distractions and able to be present to ourselves and others," Brown said.

"This may even be one of the first moments where many people are alone, after working all day or spending time with family and friends. That time to ourselves helps us have the capacity to connect more intentionally."

Liebisch agreed that Sunday is the perfect time for success on dating apps. "Sunday is the best day to be on the app. It's like everyone's online at the same time. More messages, more matches, and more chances of connecting with someone who really gets you," he said.

"By being active at peak times, you increase your chances of striking up a real conversation or even finding your perfect match," he said.