Clear-Coding: The Dating Trend That Demands Honesty, Explained

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Just when you thought dating trends had fizzled, 2026 rolled around and introduced a new one: clear-coding. While many dating trends tend to be fairly toxic — after all, who can forget the gross trend "whelming" that was born out of dating app use – clear-coding is more aligned with the positive end of the dating trend spectrum. For example, the canon-bailing trend that made waves in 2023, in which you prioritize yourself over your relationship, is one such trend that doesn't result in anyone screaming and throwing their phone in the nearest toilet.

According to Tinder's Year in Swipe 2025, clear-coding was already on the docket to be big in 2026. As Tinder's research found, daters are done trying to read between the lines and decode everything, messages and behavior, with 64% of singles saying emotional honesty is paramount when dating, and 60% demanding people be clear when communicating their intentions. In other words, it's fine if you're only looking for a friends with benefits arrangement, but be clear about it, so everyone is on the same page.

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.

It goes without saying that communication is the foundation of every healthy relationship. So, while clear-coding may be a trending dating term, the reality is that it should've always been part of the equation. "I believe in honesty from the start," Susan Winter exclusively tells Glam, adding that being honest with each other establishes safety and security right off the bat. "Those are qualities necessary for a relationship to grow and flourish," says Winter.

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. It also shows a lack of respect when respect is necessary for improved communication in your relationships. However, the reason why some might try to keep their intentions obscure and even cryptic, is so they can't be blamed when things go south. 

But clear-coding, as the name suggests, can nip these issues in the bud. It's not just about being verbally communicative, but putting words into action as well. "It signals clarity of intention by virtue of what is said, and what those words mean," says Winter. When the always-annoying "what if?" is removed from your thought process while dating someone who clear codes, you're both better off. Feelings are less likely to be hurt, which means toxicity and potential future grudges can be avoided. It's simply the most mature way to navigate dating.

First of all, don't allow yourself to take a backseat in your relationship. As the saying goes, it takes two to tango, and you need to vocalize what you want and don't want — after all, that's an important part of clear-coding. 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.

Next, allow yourself to be direct in your communication, and demand that from the people you meet and date. "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." When you establish honest communication early on with someone, you're setting up a better understanding of each other's relationship goals and needs, making future challenges easier to manage.

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.