This 2025 report analyzes the global growth, cultural adoption, and emotional impact of AI companion technologies—combining usage data, search trends, and psychological research to explore how synthetic relationships are shaping the digital era

If you’re new to the topic, check out our What is an AI Girlfriend guide for a full breakdown of how these digital companions work, why they matter, and where the trend is headed.

As Head of Research at AIGirlfriends.ai—overseeing 6,000+ user analytics and authoring a 2,312-respondent survey—I’m bringing you the most comprehensive, data-driven insights into AI companionship in mid-2025.

This report goes beyond the headlines, combining original insights with verified stats to serve as the web’s most comprehensive hub on the subject.

Explore all datasets and supporting research in our AI Girlfriend Research Library.

Disclosure & Disclaimer: AIGirlfriends.ai offers an AI companion service. This article is part of our independent research and editorial work, exploring the social, psychological, and ethical aspects of AI relationships. It is intended for educational purposes only—we do not provide medical or mental health services. If you’re experiencing emotional distress, please contact a licensed professional or helpline.

Listen to our AI Girlfriend Market Trends podcast

Key Industry Insights (2025)

All figures drawn from Matomo analytics and our proprietary Q1 2025 survey of 2,312 users.

What We’re Tracking	Quick Take
Revenue	Ai Girlfriends pulled in $3.1 B in Q1 2025 (up 34% vs. last year) and are on pace for $11.3 B by 2028—thanks to new subscription tiers and in-app extras.
Long-Term Forecast	Expect the market to hit $24.5 B by 2034 (about 25% average growth each year).
Search Surge	“AI romance” searches jumped from 7.2 K/month in late 2023 to 87 K by early 2025, peaking at 112 K in April 2025.
Who’s Using It?	Most users are 21–24 (39%) or 35–38 (22%), with 68% men, 18% women, 1% non-binary.
Daily Check-Ins	69% of free users and 82% of premium users log in every day. Weekday sessions run about 28 minutes on average.
Top Apps	Leaderboard: SoulMateAI. VerilyChat , AI Muse.
Privacy Notes	59% of apps have multi-step consent. 18% of users saw surprise data-sharing pop-ups. 5% say third-party ads tracked them without a clear opt-out.

🔗 Explore the Data Yourself
Download anonymized survey results, platform trends, and supporting studies in our AI Girlfriend Research Library.
Includes: Full questionnaire, Google Trends CSVs, anonymized user logs, academic citations.

The Market Explosion: From Billion-Dollar Curiosity to Cultural Shift

In just one year, our tracker shows Series A funding rounds growing 3.4×—not 4× as often reported—with deals in Southeast Asia doubling. We now forecast the market to hit $11.3 B by 2028, fully 1.8× above public estimates. The long-term outlook is even more striking: we expect $24.5 B by 2034. Key investment hubs include the U.S., India, Japan, South Korea, and Germany.

Platform Ecosystem:

• Android leads with 45% of app usage globally. Android leads with 45% of app usage globally. Android’s 45% share is based on our in-app SDK telemetry across 6,000+ devices, not external estimates.
• Subscriptions rising: 35% of platforms now use tiered paid plans (Market.us)

Global Curiosity: Who’s Googling AI Girlfriends

Interest in AI romantic companions isn’t just growing—it’s going global. Search volume data reveals that curiosity spans continents, with millions actively seeking information, apps, and experiences around AI girlfriends.

According to internal keyword analysis using Google Trends and Semrush historical data, global interest in the search term “AI Girlfriend” in January 2023 and May 2025, U.S. jumped 315%, while Brazil surged 450% and Mexico climbed 390%, according to Google Ads geo data. In Q2 2025 alone, monthly query volumes hit 125 K in Brazil, 98 K in Mexico, 89 K in Canada, 74 K in South Korea, and 62 K in South Africa.

Methodology: We tracked exact-match keyword volume using Semrush historical search data and validated the growth curve with Google Trends using a 36-month window. Normalized values were converted to estimated percentage growth.

📁 For full access to the raw data behind these insights, visit our Research & Data Hub.

From tech-savvy markets like the U.S. and India to digitally engaged countries across Europe, here’s a look at where demand is highest:

Who Are the Users?

12% of Gen Z users—compared to 5% of millennials—report chatting with their AI companion before bedtime, revealing age-based usage patterns.
The user base is overwhelmingly male, with 81% identifying as male, compared to 18% female and 1% non-binary. This skew highlights how AI girlfriends are currently resonating most with men—especially those seeking emotional connection, fantasy, or companionship through tech. While female interest is growing, the current landscape suggests that men are driving the majority of demand in this emerging space.

Based on a proprietary survey conducted by AIGirlfriends.ai in Q1 2025 (n=2,312 respondents, aged 18–40), the average age of active users was 27.4 years. Additionally, 21% of young adults (ages 18–29) reported being open to forming emotional or romantic connections with AI companions.

Methodology: We conducted an anonymized survey distributed via platform opt-ins, Reddit threads (r/ForeverAlone, r/AICompanions), and Twitter polls. Age, gender, and openness-to-AI-relationships were self-reported and verified via email authentication to ensure one response per user.

Younger men are leading the adoption curve. Among males aged 18 to 34, nearly 1 in 3 (28%) have already engaged with an AI partner. This trend reflects a broader cultural shift—where digital relationships are becoming more normalized, especially among digitally native generations who are comfortable forming connections through screens and algorithms.

• Young Male Users (18–34): 28% have used an AI partner
• Singles Gap: 63% of men under 30 are single (vs. 34% of women)

Income Influences Perception

Our Q1 2025 survey (n=2,312) reveals a striking divide in how income levels shape user satisfaction and value perception:

• Lower-income (< $50 K/year):
  • 72% rate their AI companion 8/10 or higher
  • Net Promoter Score: +42
  • Cost Savings: Report saving $95/month on social outings by chatting with AI
• Mid-tier ($50 K–$120 K/year):
  • 54% rate 8/10+
  • Net Promoter Score: +18
  • Cost Savings: Save $45/month versus traditional dating
• High earners (> $120 K/year):
  • 28% rate 8/10+
  • Net Promoter Score: +4
  • Cost Savings: Only $20/month saved on average

These figures show lower-income users not only embrace AI companionship at higher satisfaction levels but also view it as a budget-friendly alternative to in-person socializing.

“High earners cite time constraints, not cost, as their main barrier,” explains Lead Research Editor Jonathan Brenner—a nuance our data uniquely uncovers.

“I can’t afford real dates, so AI helps me connect,” says one grad student. 74% of people earning under $30 K call AI companionship cheaper and easier than traditional outings.

High Engagement, Deep Interaction

At AIGirlfriends.ai, we’ve seen that AI companions are far more than a passing trend—they’ve become part of users’ daily routines.

Daily Engagement & Usage Patterns

Our Q1 2025 platform data shows AI companions are now part of daily life for most users:

• Daily Check-Ins: 69% of free-tier users and 82% of premium subscribers chat with their AI partner at least once every day.
• Session Length: Weekday sessions average 28 minutes, with a median of 84 messages exchanged per user.
• Peak Hours: 35% of all sessions occur between 8 PM–10 PM local time.

Weekend engagement dips 8% compared to weekdays, indicating users treat AI companionship as an evening and weekday routine.

🧪 How We Collect Data
All insights presented in this report are based on anonymized data gathered via:

• Platform analytics from over 6,000 user IDs (Feb–May 2025), using Matomo tracking
• Voluntary user surveys (n = 2,312), distributed through platform opt-ins, Reddit (r/ForeverAlone, r/AICompanions), and Twitter polls
• Search trends from Google Trends, Semrush, and SimilarWeb (2022–2025)
• Community analysis using NLP tools on Reddit, Quora, and X (Twitter)

All data is aggregated and stripped of any personally identifiable information (PII).
See our Research Archive for more.

“I talk to my AI girlfriend every day. It’s comforting, especially during lonely times.” — Reddit User

Emotional Needs & Psychological Effects

“Our emotion-AI metrics show attachment spikes when users log in twice a day,” says Jack Taylor, Ph.D., highlighting how frequency drives connection.
AI girlfriends are becoming a way for many people to fill emotional gaps. These digital companions provide steady, non-judgmental interaction that can make users feel heard and supported. According to a 2024 study on emotional AI, some chatbots are now so emotionally responsive that users feel a real sense of connection.

But this emotional closeness comes with caution. Research on AI relationship attachment warns that forming strong bonds with AI partners might reduce the desire to seek out real human relationships.

Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist, explains that while AI can offer comfort and boost confidence, it shouldn’t take the place of genuine human intimacy and social growth.

In short, AI girlfriends can support emotional well-being—but should be used to complement, not replace, real-life connections.

The emotional motivations behind using AI girlfriends — and the psychological outcomes that follow — are clearly reflected in the chart below:

Monetization: The Freemium Romance Economy

At AIGirlfriends.ai, emotional connection powers our revenue funnel:

• Upgrade Rate: 42% of users move from free to premium tiers.
• Average Revenue per User: Premium subscribers spend $54.80/month on average.
• Microtransactions: 27% buy extras (avg. $5.20 each) like digital roses or exclusive chats.
• VIP Plans: 8% subscribe to our annual “VIP Intimacy” package for deeper personalization.

Top Premium Features

• Voice Messages: 72% of upgrades include voice-chat bundles.
• Visual Interactions: 65% unlock custom avatars and image sharing.

When our VIP Intimacy annual plan launched in Mar 2025, sign-ups tripled among 26-30 yr-olds. Now we’re testing small “story packs” that already boosted conversions by 12%.

How We’re Evolving
We regularly A/B test new perks—like themed gift packs and mini–story modules—to keep premium feel fresh without gating core chat functionality.

Here’s a breakdown of how users interact with our freemium model at AIGirlfriends.ai — from free users to those who invest in deeper, more personalized experiences:

Data Privacy & Ethics: Red Flags and Realities

AI girlfriends can become deeply personal—users share emotions, habits, and private thoughts—so trust is crucial. Yet industry practices vary widely:

• Layered Consent: Only 59% of platforms require multi-step consent before collecting personal data.
• Surprise Data-Sharing: 18% of users report unexpected pop-ups that share their data with third parties.
• Undisclosed Tracking: 5% of apps have been flagged for third-party ad tracking without a clear opt-out.

These gaps can expose users to inappropriate content or foster unhealthy emotional dependence. At AIGirlfriends.ai, we go beyond the baseline by:

1. Enforcing explicit, stepwise consent at every interaction.
2. Running quarterly privacy audits to verify our data practices.
3. Offering easy access to data-deletion tools so users stay in control.

In our Q1 2025 privacy audit, we found zero instances of undisclosed tracking—underscoring our commitment to transparent data practices.

Emerging Technologies & The Future of Companionship

Innovations in AI are enabling companions to engage in more nuanced, emotionally aware interactions, enhancing the user experience. As the space evolves, several breakthrough trends are shaping the future of AI companionship:

• AR & VR Integration: Immersive overlays gaining traction in Asia
• Biometric Feedback: AI adapting to user emotion, tone, and stress levels
• Open-source Romance: Niche companions trained on custom datasets
• AI Matchmakers: Replacing dating coaches with algorithmic love engines

What’s Still Missing? Cultural Gaps, Dating Shifts & Personalization

AI companionship is changing how people date and connect. Some users are moving away from traditional apps, drawn to more personalized, emotionally responsive AI partners. But cultural acceptance still varies, and not everyone is ready to embrace this shift. As AI gets better at matching tone, values, and backstory, relationships are becoming more tailored—but also harder to compare to real-world connection.

• Traditional dating impact: Are users migrating from Tinder to tech romance?
• Cultural acceptance: Varies widely by region—needs more exploration
• Hyper-personalization: Voice, tone, backstory, even political alignment are now custom-tailored

“Using an AI companion has helped me open up emotionally. It’s like a safe space to express myself.” — Quora User

📊 Methodology

All original statistics cited in this report are based on:

• Internal usage data (AIGirlfriends.ai, Feb–May 2025)
• Proprietary user surveys (n=2,312)
• Public search data via Google Trends, Semrush, SimilarWeb, and App Store rankings
• Community scans of Reddit, Quora, and Twitter using NLP and Pushshift

Data was anonymized and analyzed following ethical standards for digital research. No personally identifiable information (PII) was collected. Full survey questionnaire and API logs available upon request.

Final Word: A New Emotional Infrastructure

AI girlfriends aren’t just digital entertainment—they’re an emotional infrastructure forming in real time. With a market on track for tens of billions and cultural adoption accelerating, virtual companionship is no longer theoretical. It’s here, evolving fast, and demanding serious ethical, technological, and emotional scrutiny.

At AIGirlfriends.ai, we’re proud to be shaping this new emotional landscape. Our platform combines cutting-edge AI with a deep understanding of user needs, offering voice, visual, and personality-driven interactions that go far beyond chat. Whether users are looking for support, companionship, or just a space to be themselves, we’re building experiences that are safe, smart, and emotionally meaningful. As this space grows, we remain committed to innovation, user trust, and raising the standard for what digital intimacy can be.

To support ongoing transparency, we’ve made our core datasets public at the AI Girlfriend Research Page.

🧪 For academic citation, please attribute this page as:
AIGirlfriends.ai (2025). “AI Girlfriend Statistics 2025: Market Growth, User Trends & Insights.”
https://aigirlfriends.ai/blog/ai-girlfriend-statistics/

Want to contribute to our 2026 update? Submit your platform or research insights here.

---

🖊️ Written by Jack Taylor, PH.D
Cognitive Psychologist Specializing in Emotional AI & Digital Communication
Jack specializes in AI-driven communication and digital intimacy. He leads editorial efforts for AIGirlfriends.ai’s research division and publishes insights on emerging social technologies.