With over 27% of committed relationships starting via the internet, online dating is no longer a taboo.It is estimated that there are over 20 million matches on dating apps and websites worldwide, that comes down to approximately 40 million users.India is the 9th largest market for online dating users.With the fast-food economy and increased internet penetration, these numbers are going to increase multi-fold.
It is predicted that by 2031, at least 50% of married couples would’ve met online. The average online dating service user spends $243 annually.
Computers are now going instinct and mobiles are definitely the future. 48% of users access dating services via their smartphones.With Reliance Jio, smartphone and the 4G internet have become more readily available boosting up the number of smartphone users in the country to an estimated 300 million.
India has come a long way from the days when online dating was more or less limited to sending friend requests to people with good DPs. Then, of course, looking for soulmates moved from scrolling down newspaper classifieds to searching on matrimonial websites.This being the online equivalent of meeting with ladke/ladki waale.
It looks like the young Indians are finally ready to search their own partners without having parents trawling through websites.59% of the youngsters said they did not look down upon online dating compared to 27% in 2012.
India is the fastest growing market for Tinder and the largest in Asia.One Million “super-likes” are sent every week, with women sending more than men.India, therefore, has witnessed a huge change since it was difficult for women traditionally to even choose their partners.
The success of Tinder has encouraged several entrepreneurs to develop some amazing applications in the online dating segment.These dating apps have attracted an ever-increasing userbase and also huge funding from investors.Users have found dating apps helpful whether they are looking for marriage, serious relationships or – the crowd’s favorite – hookups.
