The state of dating

What is sharking? The chase-first dating trend taking over this summer

By Kenneth Kintsugi, holistic relationship specialist · Jul 23, 2026 · 4 min read

If cuffing season is about locking someone down before winter, sharking is its summer opposite: a bold, chase-first approach to dating where the hunt itself is the point. No slow build, no waiting to be chosen, just confident, active pursuit of whoever catches your attention.

The term was coined by streamer Jay Cinco back in 2024, then really took off on TikTok in 2025, complete with shark costumes, remixed audio, and the shark emoji showing up in bios and captions as shorthand for “I’m on the hunt.” A year later, it’s still the go-to word for a certain kind of confident, front-foot summer dating energy, and it’s worth understanding what it actually gets right, and where it runs out of road.

What sharking actually looks like

Someone “sharking” isn’t shy about wanting connection. They message first, suggest the date, keep the momentum going, and treat rejection as a mildly annoying speed bump rather than a verdict on their worth. Compared to the passive, wait-and-see energy that dominates a lot of app dating, that’s genuinely refreshing. Sharking rewards initiative in a dating culture that often punishes it.

Why the chase feels so good

There’s a real psychological pull here. Pursuit is exciting on its own terms, novelty, uncertainty, and a little competition all light up the same reward circuitry that makes games and challenges fun. Framed as a shark on the hunt rather than someone nervously overthinking a text, the whole thing feels lighter, funnier, and a lot less fraught. That reframe is a big part of why the trend spread.

Where it breaks down

The trouble is what happens once the chase is over. If pursuit is the entire appeal, interest tends to drop off fast once someone is actually caught, and it can turn dating into a string of hunts rather than a search for a real fit. Taken too literally, sharking optimizes for the thrill of “yes,” not for whether the person saying yes is actually right for you. That’s the same trap as dating app burnout: a lot of motion, not much progress.

A better way to hunt

Here’s the reframe worth keeping: the confidence behind sharking, going first, staying direct, not waiting around to be picked, is a genuinely good habit. What matters is where you point it. Aimed at compatibility instead of just the chase, that same energy stops being a summer bit and starts being how you actually meet someone worth keeping. That’s the difference between hunting for attention and hunting for a person who fits your life.

This is exactly where NexSpark is built to help. You answer a few honest questions, and a real matchmaker, assisted by AI, introduces you to people who are actually compatible, so your directness gets pointed at someone worth being direct with, not just whoever’s nearest and available.

The bottom line

Sharking is a fun, confident label for an old instinct: go after what you want. Keep the confidence, drop the idea that catching someone is the finish line. The best version of this trend isn’t about the chase at all. It’s about being bold enough to pursue someone who’s actually right for you, and honest enough to stop once you find them.

Frequently asked questions

What is sharking in dating?
Sharking is a bold, chase-first approach to dating that prioritizes the pursuit over the connection. Someone who is “sharking” is actively, aggressively on the hunt for romantic or sexual attention, treating the chase itself as the point rather than a means to something lasting.

Where did the term “sharking” come from?
The term was coined by streamer Jay Cinco in 2024 and resurfaced as a viral TikTok meme in 2025, complete with shark costumes, dances, and the shark emoji used as shorthand in bios and captions for someone who's actively hunting for connection.

Is sharking a good way to date?
It can work as a confidence boost or a fun bit, but as a long-term strategy it tends to reward the chase over the fit. Aimed at real compatibility instead of the thrill of the hunt, that same boldness becomes a much better habit.