People are moving away from the mass market of mainstream dating apps. In their wake, niche interest websites such as Letterboxd, Goodreads, and subreddit threads are providing singles with a less performative and more personal approach to romance.

A culture of fast dating that relies on instant attraction and split-second decisions is leading to severe swipe fatigue. In its place, people are looking for more personalised dating experiences and meaningful IRL interactions. Can London-based CLiKD appeal to shifting dating behaviours?

A year of lost physical contact has prompted a rise in more self-sufficient and cerebral styles of intimacy among younger people. Swapping prolific dating for purposeful dating, a growing number are showing less interest in casual hook-ups post-pandemic.

For many couples, lockdown has put a strain on their relationship – almost half of Americans say it’s been tricky to keep the spark alive. Canvas8 spoke to Ximena Garcia-Rada, doctoral candidate at Harvard Business School, to learn how relationship rituals can act as powerful commitment tools.