Study: Digital Dating Narrows India’s Socioeconomic Barriers
A recent survey by Indian dating platform QuackQuack indicates that digital dating may be helping to soften traditional divides tied to income, education, and social circles. The poll, conducted among 13,000 Indians aged 20–35, found that many users are connecting with people they would never have met offline – signalling a shift in how people find relationships in the digital age.
QuackQuack’s founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, framed the change as democratic: “The most prominent thing that online dating offers to people is the chance to connect beyond their immediate circles. It democratizes access, making way for love that cuts across economic, geographical, educational, and even cultural divides.”
Among the findings: more than 37 percent of respondents aged 28 to 35 said they would never have crossed paths with their matches in real life. Meanwhile, 19 percent said their ideal partner came from a different economic or educational background – a detail they initially hesitated over but later embraced due to strong connection.
The survey also finds that for many users, personality is now outweighing financial display. Among daters aged 25 to 30, three in five said that while outward appearance helps attraction, in an online context, humor and consistent engagement carry more weight. Another dimension is affordability. Dating apps reduce many of the costs associated with getting to know someone – such as dinner or and travel costs – making early stages of dating more accessible.
The Indian dating app market itself is expanding rapidly. QuackQuack has reported growth in its user base, and India has been identified as one of the fastest-growing markets globally. QuackQuack has also shared that in a recent survey, 3 in 5 female daters report being more selective than ever when choosing matches, meaning that these lowered barriers may have only made it easier for users to be more selective with their matches thanks to a wider range of potential options.
