By Amanda Chatel

Just when it seemed that dating trends had run their course, 2026 introduced a new concept that many relationship experts believe should have existed all along: clear-coding.

Unlike many dating trends that leave singles confused, frustrated, or nursing emotional wounds, clear-coding is refreshingly straightforward. The premise is simple. Say what you mean and mean what you say. While that may sound obvious, modern dating has become increasingly dependent on decoding mixed messages, vague intentions, and inconsistent behavior.

According to Tinder’s Year in Swipe 2025, emotional honesty has become a top priority for today’s singles. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that transparency and direct communication are essential qualities when seeking a partner. Rather than guessing where they stand, daters are demanding clarity from the beginning.

Journalist Amanda Chatel writes, “To fully make sense of clear-coding, Glam exclusively spoke to Susan Winter, relationship expert and bestselling author of “Breakup Triage: The Cure for Heartache,” about what it entails and how to make it work for you.

To fully make sense of clear-coding, Glam exclusively spoke to Susan Winter, relationship expert and bestselling author of “Breakup Triage: The Cure for Heartache,” about what it entails and how to make it work for you.

What the clear-coding trend looks like

According to Winter, when someone is being vague, it could mean they are not that committed when it comes to dating. “Ambiguous language creates murky boundaries, leaving romantic connections undefined,” says Winter.  “I believe in honesty from the start,” Winter explained. Being direct about intentions creates an immediate sense of safety and security—two essential ingredients for a healthy relationship. Without them, connections struggle to develop and flourish.

One of the biggest obstacles to clear communication is ambiguity. Many people use vague language when discussing relationships, either because they are uncertain about what they want or because they wish to avoid accountability. Unfortunately, unclear communication often creates confusion rather than flexibility.

Winter notes that ambiguous language leads to murky boundaries and undefined expectations. Clear-coding eliminates that uncertainty by aligning words with actions. “It signals clarity of intention by virtue of what is said, and what those words mean,” Winter explained.

How to make clear-coding work for you

Clear-coding eliminates confusion. By being direct in your communication, your perspective partner knows exactly what you want and the type of relationship you intend to create.

Dater’s who are vague can create unnecessary misalignment. Susan Winter tells Glam exclusively that people who “go with the flow” are engaging in vague behavior, and that’s not something you want to do, nor is it something you want the person you’re dating to do. People who rely on vagueness also tend to futurize things. Also called “future faking,” this is one of the most narcissistic dating strategies out there. “It casts an impression of what might happen in the future, leading their partner to imagine a reality that may never occur,” says Winter.

Winter continues, “Healthy relationships require honest communication. Trust cannot be built when our words defy our actions,” says Winter, adding that clear-coding provides security and erases gray areas. “We know where we stand with someone and we know what they want.”

It’s also important to remember that clear-coding benefits both parties. “It eliminates unnecessary conflict, allowing for greater alignment and relationship longevity,” Winter explains. That’s something we should always be striving for in our relationship pursuits.

For singles tired of decoding mixed messages and navigating emotional gray areas, clear-coding may be less of a trend and more of a return to common sense.

Continue Reading:

https://www.glam.com/2165289/clear-coding-dating-trend-honesty-explained/