As the dating world evolves, men and women are taking their time to see how they get along with their matches, and women seem to be taking the charge to make better choices, according to a new survey.
The new survey shows that Indian women have finally found their worth, and they are not settling for just `any` match that shows the bare minimum of kindness and effort. The survey by dating app QuackQuack has revealed that 3 in 5 female daters have become significantly more selective while finding a match on dating apps.
From set expectations and green flag radar, women are moving towards a healthy dating culture. The dating app`s founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, “Selective is not equivalent to picky or demanding – it only means female daters are finally realising that they too can get what their heart desires, without settling. We are seeing more of our female users leading with clarity, and it has changed the power dynamics on dating apps and definitely led to a better and more sustainable match rate.”
The findings are based on a consumer survey conducted among 10,540 active female daters ranging between 18 and 35 from Tier 1, 2, and 3 Indian cities. Responses were collected via online polls and behavioral data among participants from various professional fields, including healthcare, education, IT, finances, marketing, art, and more, ensuring a comprehensive report.
Say bye to bare minimums
The midnight “you up?” texts and meaningless chats that ultimately fizzle out are so last season. Modern Indian women are focused on the Emotional Quotient (EQ) of their matches, with over 38 per cent of women from both metros and suburbs disclosing that attributes like height or having a six-pack are no longer the deciding factors in attraction. Sure, physical traits might add a little extra charm, but mostly because they hint at something deeper: the emotional maturity and understanding that taking care of one`s appearance does not make them any less manly. Ishika (28) from Delhi comments, “Dating apps give you a lot of choices, but finding the one that clicks is on us. You have to take the time to see how well someone treats you; a few compliments or on-and-off texting should not be enough. I personally care to see how my match behaves after the initial excitement of talking to someone new is over.”
Red flag, green flag
A few years ago, women might have been more focused on red flags, but the narrative is slightly different now. 3 in 6 women shared that red flags might be inevitable in a person because no one is perfect – it is the greens that matter. QuackQuack`s survey shows that 31 per cent of women between 18 and 35 now evaluate profiles more minutely, focusing on green flags that align with what they are looking for. Among the top desired qualities, lifestyle, how they treat people in general, and compatible values are on the top. Nimisha, a 33-year-old doctor, said, “Earlier, when someone`s bio described their personality with something as generic as a travel enthusiast and movie buff, I wouldn`t give them a chance. But now, I realise that was shallow of me. It`s okay if that`s what they like; I am more focused on the real things, like how kind they are or their general outlook.”
Open about `looking for something serious`
In a refreshing shift, 42 per cent of women now openly mention they are looking for something serious – not casually exploring or let`s see where things go – in this big pivot, women are now happily stating their desire without the fear of coming off as `too much`. Diya Jain (27) from Mumbai shared, “If my wish to find something real is too much for someone, it only makes it easier for me to cross out matches that won`t work for sure. I believe mentioning that is a powerful move — I set the rules, and my matches should make a move only if they are on the same page.”
Vetting over rushing
The app`s consumer behaviour data shows while men match more, women tend to spend twice more time on a potential match`s profile before sending a like. It is their idea of vibe check but with a serious tone. 2 in 5 women below 25 said they would rather match less and protect their peace and energy. Sambhavna (21) from Hyderabad said, “I believe in quality matches, even if that means I find one match in three to four months. It should work out in the end; numbers don`t mean anything.”
