Boston-Area Matchmaking Is Booming

BOSTON GLOBE - Privacy concerns, 'swiping fatigue,' and a desire to lock down a serious relationship are pushing people to seek one-on-one help. "The matchmaking business as a whole has been on fire," said Vandor, a matchmaker with LunchDates, who said she has seen a ~25% bump in business compared to pre-pandemic figures. Match's most recent Singles in America study, released in Nov, found that 48% of singles say they are now "more eager" to find a partner. Whereas dating apps gave rise to "hookup culture," the pandemic spurred a push toward "conscious dating." And conscious dating just so happens to be matchmakers' specialty. Three Day Rule has seen a 75% increase in business from pre-pandemic figures. Matchmaking rates vary by service but typically cost thousands of dollars. But what some clients are paying for is safety. Susie MacDowell, who runs Susie Q Matchmaking, said privacy is the "number one reason clients seek out her services.