Survey: A Large Portion of Daters Set Time Limits on App Use

A new dating survey from Indian app QuackQuack suggests that singles are approaching online dating with increasing purpose in 2026, adopting strategies to avoid open-ended usage and focus on outcomes. According to the survey of 7,583 active users aged 22 to 35 across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities, 37% of respondents said they plan to use a “sunset clause” – a self-imposed timeframe for their app activity that limits how long they will search for potential partners before reevaluating their strategy.

This shift reflects a broader move away from endless swiping toward a more structured and time-bound approach to dating. Users most commonly set durations of six months or one year for their app use, while some take a more open-ended stance of “until I meet the right one”. This contrasts with past patterns of indefinite scrolling that often lack clear goals. Allowing a defined period for dating apps to produce results is seen by many as a way to protect time and emotional investment.

QuackQuack’s CEO Ravi Mittal framed these changes as part of a maturing dating landscape. “We are seeing users becoming more intentional in their choices; it started from 2024, but we are hoping for it to peak this year,” he said, noting that daters are reassessing matches based not just on hobbies or values, but also on lifestyle factors like career alignment.

Reports like Tinder’s Year In Swipe 2025 back this up quite clearly – clarity and honesty have become a big part of dating, with mixed signals and uncertainty being a quick mood-killer for potential matches. However, QuackQuack has also found that reverse psychology has been a popular trend too, albeit for keeping emotions playfully guarded rather than trying to manipulate the other person.

Career compatibility in particular appears to be playing a stronger role in match decisions. A growing share of singles prioritize a partner whose professional goals and work rhythms align with their own, rather than focusing purely on casual or aesthetic traits. This aligns with broader dating trends reported elsewhere showing singles increasingly value clarity and intention in early interactions, with platforms such as Tinder highlighting emotional honesty and purpose-driven connections as key patterns for 2026.