Gen Z’s approach to relationships is changing, with users increasingly interested in exploring new app formats that go beyond endless swiping to find genuine connections.

In September, we collated the hottest dating apps to have hit the market in the last year and a half. Looking to align more closely with Gen Z’s digital habits and relationship priorities, newcomers Schmooze and Ilios found their niche, whilst Kippo made virtual dating a reality.

Based in Austin, Texas, Ilios wants to help people find love based on astrology and numerology, putting the emphasis on star signs and cosmic alignment. While not specifically targeting Gen Z, with rising interest among this generation in spirituality – and astrology in particular – the app is looking to provide a niche space that users won’t find elsewhere.

Gamer-focused dating app Kippo updated its platform allowing users to create avatars and meet via its in-app virtual world. The newly launched dating metaverse hopes to give digitally savvy Gen Z users intimate shared virtual experiences that hold real meaning for the participants.

In May we spoke to Stephen Mai, the founder of Woo, a next-gen media brand merging content and retail, on how wellness can be reframed as feel-good culture.

Set about to redefine wellness for Generation Z, aiming to make mental health and wellbeing solutions more aspirational, culturally relevant and democratic, Woo merges things like pop culture and wellness, packaging it in a way that is relatable – not alienating or cheesy.

It launched with three distinct shows, each aiming to help the audience think about wellness in a different or more interesting way. Nature’s Calling, a Wes Anderson-style film captured an adventure journey to a cold-water swimming lake, positioning entertainment first and mental health second.

Since then, Woo unveiled its own marketplace of feel-good products, Planet Woo, offering a range of cross-category wellbeing items optimised for emotional discovery. Unlike a typical online store, the mood-led platform offers wellness products across homeware, tech, beauty, fashion and lifestyle, alongside live therapeutic experiences like sound healing or breath work.