Aisle has launched their 2021 dating review, and revealed their dating trends for the twelve months ahead. Able Joseph, CEO of India’s second most downloaded dating app, has released the trends that he feels will be most prevalent in dating in 2022.
Looking back on 2021, Aisle found that ‘Long Distance Relationships’ (LDRs) ruled the year of 2021 as distance was no longer a barrier when it came to finding love. Aisle saw almost 90% users matching with prospective partners from locations different from theirs.
As restaurants, pubs, theatres, and other social gathering spaces started to reopen, the engagement ratio for people in tier 1 cities on dating apps started to decline. This was because people started to chat on the app and decided to then meet in-person.
Women took the forefront in dating in 2021 and are now more proactive in their search for a partner. The percentage growth of Likes & Invites sent on Aisle from 2020 to 2021 is 129.8% and 298% respectively.
There has been significant growth in users from non-metro cities. They are now warming up to the idea of online dating, as compared to previous years, encouraged by content creators, influencers, etc.
Looking forward to 2022, Aisle found that people will prefer having their first dates virtually before they meet in real life
Singles will be more conscious than ever before choosing a partner – Not alone smoking or drinking habits but being emotionally available, commitment etc will play a major role in deciding on a partner.
Topics like practicing yoga, meditation, mental health, vulnerability etc will attract more matches if mentioned in bios, especially among Gen Z.
People will become more accepting of new dating techniques and voice notes will be more common than text messages, and the age old cliche of men wooing women will become a passé as both men and women will take proactive steps to find a partner.
Engagement on dating apps is expected to increase with the introduction of virtual dates in the metaverse. Metaverse will enable more spontaneous interactions, users can choose their preferred environment over messengers, send virtual gifts to express their interest in others, buy accessories for their avatars to stand out from the crowd, etc.