As other have said Tinder was the biggest shift and the prime reason as stated is there’s a lot of fear that gets removed when you know you’re both there to date and you both at least superficially like each other.
This was before it was enshittified. Superlikes weren’t a thing, you had unlimited swipes and the algorithm tried to get you a match. Post-enshittification the algorithm tries to keep you hooked and paying. So there’s been a slight shift back to in-person but life is busy and expensive.
With Medicare and social security cuts how old you are doesn’t matter anymore(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ