Study: Men on Dating Apps Frequently Pursue Women More Attractive Than Themselves
Men Are ‘Punching’ on Dating Apps, Study Confirms
By Xantha Leatham, Executive Science Editor | Updated: 19:22 BST, 23 July 2025
If dating apps feel discouraging for women, a new study offers a reason: men often pursue matches “out of their league.” Researchers found men swipe right on women deemed more attractive than themselves, leading to fewer successful matches until they adjust expectations.
Key Findings
- Aspirational Swiping: Men target women ranked as more desirable, while women match with partners of similar attractiveness.
- Desirability Gap: Women overall scored higher in desirability, partly due to dating app gender imbalances (more male users).
- Reality Check: Successful matches occur between users with comparable attractiveness levels, driven by men eventually settling after rejections.
Jay Z and Beyoncé: Fans often joke he’s “punching above his weight.”
The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed 3,000 users of a Czech dating app. Desirability was calculated based on swipe data, revealing men’s tendency to aim high. “Men send swipes to women considerably more desirable than themselves,” researchers noted, calling this “aspirational pursuit.” Women, however, matched more conservatively.
Celebrity Examples
The trend mirrors real-life pairings like Barry Keoghan and ex Sabrina Carpenter, or Pete Davidson’s past relationship with Ariana Grande—all dubbed “punching” by fans.
Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter (2024): Fans debated their attractiveness mismatch.
Why It Matters
Dating apps’ skewed gender ratios amplify competition. Women, being fewer in number, receive more matches, while men face rejection until aligning their preferences with reality.
Men often swipe on more attractive profiles, leading to fewer matches.
The Bottom Line
Past research shows couples often share similar traits, including attractiveness. While dating apps encourage “reaching,” lasting connections form within the same “league.” As the study concludes: Rejection, not preference, drives similarity in matches.
Apps’ male-heavy user base elevates women’s desirability scores.
Final Takeaway: Love might be blind, but algorithms aren’t—swipe strategically!
For tips on avoiding online dating scams, see our guide on spotting catfishing.
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