Australia is entering its Victorian-era romance phase.
Tinder has named 2026 the “Year of Yearning”, launching a major integrated campaign with Netflix ahead of the release of Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2.
Timed to Australia’s peak dating season, the campaign taps into new Tinder research revealing a shift in how young Australians want to date, with anticipation, emotional tension and slow-burn connection taking priority over instant sparks.
Gen Z wants slow-burn romance, not instant chemistry
The partnership is underpinned by new data from Tinder’s Yearn Index, which surveyed young single Australians and found that more than three in four Gen Z singles want to experience stronger “romantic yearning” in their relationships this year.
Image: Netflix
A further 81% believe yearning plays an important role in early emotional connection.
The findings reflect a broader cultural trend mirrored in Bridgerton’s storytelling, which centres on slow-burn romance, tension and emotional build-up.
Tinder’s data suggests yearning may also boost confidence, with 74% of Gen Z singles saying they feel more self-assured when there is a strong sense of anticipation in a relationship.
The trend is already visible on-platform, with a 170% increase in mentions of “yearn” and a 125% rise in “slow-burn” references in Australian Tinder bios.
Tinder’s dating expert, Sera Bozza, said yearning is often misunderstood.
“Yearning isn’t just fantasy or playing hard to get. It’s anticipation, emotional investment, and a bit of uncertainty that makes someone matter to you. Attraction needs space to breathe. When everything is instant, nothing feels special.”
She added that while physical chemistry may be easy to find, emotional tension takes more intention to build through humour, conversation and shared values.
‘Let Thy Swipe™ Season Begin’
At the centre of the partnership is the creative platform “Let Thy Swipe™ Season Begin”, positioning Tinder as the catalyst for a new social season inspired by the Regency-era romance of Bridgerton.
The campaign includes a storytelling film that reimagines meeting a date as a Bridgerton-style moment, alongside creator-led content exploring Regency versus modern dating.
Enter Courtney Act, crowned Tinder’s official Dating Queen for the campaign. Acting as host of Tinder’s “social season”, Act introduces singles to The Ton, announces the opening of swipe season and anchors hero and social-first content.
“Dating should have a little drama, a little desire, and a delicious sense of anticipation,” Act said. “Whether it’s on Bridgerton, on Tinder, or on the stage, I’m all about letting attraction build, because the slow burn is always the most satisfying.”
Kristen Hardeman, Country Director at Tinder Australia, said the partnership connects fantasy with real-world dating.
“Bridgerton isn’t just a global phenomenon, it’s a cultural moment. Partnering with Netflix allows us to meet singles right at the intersection of fantasy, romance and real-world dating. By bringing Bridgerton’s sense of anticipation, yearning and possibility into the world of Tinder, we’re reminding Aussies that modern dating can still feel exciting, intentional and full of sparks.”
Blending fandom and modern dating
The campaign is designed to reignite dating culture among Gen Z and millennial Australians, combining Bridgerton’s heightened romantic world with Tinder’s contemporary, low-pressure approach to connection.
Featured creators include Bernie Moreira, Jake Vella, Tyron Dominic Porras (Dom Ski), Kylie Garbough and Hallie and Maddison Newman.
Bridgerton Season 4 Part 2 debuts on Netflix on February 26, with campaign content rolling out across Tinder Australia’s TikTok and Instagram channels in the lead-up.
Credits:
Marketing and Communications – Tinder
Brand & Media Partner – Netflix
Creative Agencies – Akcelo and This Is Amplify
Paid Media – Alley Group
PR – Herd MSL
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