3 in 10 Singles Use LinkedIn as a Dating App and Invite Coworkers To Slide Into Their DMs

LinkedIn may no longer just be for professional networking. As job searching on LinkedIn increasingly frustrates users, many singles are repurposing the site to research, evaluate, and even pursue romantic interests.

Resume.org’s February survey of 868 U.S. singles shows many are using the platform to find love.

Report findings: 

• 3 in 10 singles have used LinkedIn for dating-related purposes in the past year.
• 92% of single LinkedIn users use the platform to research dates.
• 88% of single LinkedIn users have direct messaged a romantic interest on the app; 66% report receiving a positive response.
• The majority of single LinkedIn users are comfortable receiving romantic DMs from colleagues and even strangers.

28% of Singles Use LinkedIn To Date

LinkedIn is functioning as a critical vetting resource throughout the dating process. Three in 10 singles say they’ve used LinkedIn for a dating-related purpose.

Among those using the platform for dating:

• 92% looked up someone’s profile before a first date
• 92% looked up someone they had already been on at least one date with
• 88% sent a direct message to someone they were interested in dating
• 88% looked up an ex or former romantic interest
• 77% sought out dating or relationship advice from someone they follow

Is He Qualified To Be My Boyfriend? Singles Used LinkedIn to Evaluate Their Dates’ Resumes

Singles are primarily focused on verifying a date’s network and professional background. Singles are using LinkedIn to evaluate or verify a romantic interest’s:

• Mutual connections (59%)
• Profile activity or posts (56%)
• Current employer (51%)
• Job title (50%)
• Academic background (49%)
• Current location (44%)
• Endorsements or recommendations (35%)
• Length of time in their current role (34%)

Notably, 62% of respondents say what they saw on a date’s LinkedIn profile made them more interested in the person, while only 10% said it decreased their interest.

Two-Thirds of Singles Welcome Romantic LinkedIn DMs From Coworkers

Singles report a high-level of comfort regarding romantic outreach on the platform. Despite LinkedIn’s professional focus, most users welcome people “sliding into the DMs.”

Percentage of singles comfortable receiving a romantic message from:

• Mutual friends: 81%
• Former coworkers: 74%
• Current coworkers: 67%
• Vendors or suppliers: 63%
• Clients: 56%
• Strangers: 55%

This widespread openness to receiving interest is met by equally high levels of active outreach; 88% of single LinkedIn users have initiated a romantic DM, finding it to be a largely effective strategy. Among those who have sent a message:

• 66% received a positive reply and continued the conversation.
• 21% received a reply but the person was not interested.
• Fewer than 2% reported being blocked or reported for the message.

Methodology: This survey was conducted in February 2026 among 868 U.S. residents ages 18 to 55 who report being single and actively dating in the past 12 months.