Gleeden Reaches 4 Million Users, with Notable Rise in Women

Extramarital dating app Gleeden has surpassed 4 million users in India, according to recent data released by the platform. However, the most notable trend is the 148% increase in female users over the past two years.

Bengaluru leads usage with around 18% of the total user base, followed by Hyderabad at 17%, Delhi at 11%, Mumbai at 9%, and Pune at 7%. Growth has also been observed in several Tier-2 cities, including Lucknow, Guwahati, and Bhubaneswar.

The user base consists of approximately 65% men and 35% women. The 148% increase in female users has led to a significant jump in overall activity, with many women on the platform citing emotional loneliness as a primary reason for joining. Previous surveys put together by Gleeden point to shifting relationship dynamics in urban India, where users often seek companionship outside marriage while balancing daily routines.

Peak activity occurs during lunch hours (between 12 pm and 3 pm) and late at night (10 pm to midnight), patterns that suggest discreet usage among people in existing relationships. While the rise in overall users indicates growing acceptance of niche dating platforms, the sharp increase in women participants has understandably drawn attention. Some feel that this may signal evolving expectations around emotional fulfillment and personal autonomy, even as traditional views on marriage remain influential in many parts of the country.

According to another survey handled by Gleeden, almost 50% of surveyed Indians have chosen to be intimate with an AI chatbot instead of their partner. Similar data suggests that a large portion of the findings go beyond the traditional ideas of chating, with users looking more for companionship and comfort than a true second relationship.