The same data set also recorded a 14 percent decline from June to October in the number of people who said love was more important to them than sex.

More than half of the OkCupid users surveyed in 2023 reported going on more dates during the fall and winter months than they did in spring and summer.

Psychologists refer to the “fresh start effect” as the boost in motivation people often feel after meaningful temporal landmarks such as the start of a new month or semester.

In the autumn months, vacations tend to slow down, work schedules become more predictable, and weekends are less likely to be booked months ahead, which makes arranging a date simpler.

These scheduling shifts, together with the fresh‑start motivation, may help explain why many daters feel more inclined to meet new people in the fall, although the research does not prove a direct cause‑and‑effect relationship.

Recognising this pattern can be useful for anyone who wants to plan their dating efforts, set realistic expectations, and take advantage of a period when both time and motivation are more aligned.

So, while autumn does not guarantee a lasting relationship, the combination of clearer calendars and a natural motivational lift makes it a promising season to focus on dating.