Omi Shares 4 Emerging Dating Trends
Omi, a popular dating app in Southeast Asia, has revealed 4 key trends that reflect the changing ways that singles are dating in the region.
Under the Wink Tech portfolio, Omi looks to provide a pleasant and safe way for singles in Asia to find love. It conducted a survey of Southeast Asian singles to find out more about the trends that are going to define dating in 2024.
- Unconventional offline dating
18% of Omi users shared that economic difficulties have impacted their willingness to go out on offline dates. While inflation deters these daters, others have expressed an interest in unconventional activities for in-person dates.
Grocery shopping has become a popular activity for a date, with more Gen Z Omi users saying they prefer a trip to the shops over a coffee meetup.
“I like searching for discounted items in the grocery with the guy I’m dating. It’s not only a way to save money but also a quicker way to find topics of conversation”, said Yuni, a 21-year-old university student from Indonesia.
“Grocery shopping proves to be a budget-friendly alternative to expensive coffee meetups, offering a chance to witness each other’s lifestyles in action – an experience that transcends the ordinary”, Omi shared.
- A return to slow dating
Rather than engage in game-playing, Southeast Asian singles are looking to date more intentionally in 2024, Omi shared.
67% of Omi users shared that they desire meaningful connections, rather than swipe-centered dating culture. This is reflected on the platform where profiles have seen a 30% increase in character count and interest tags, demonstrating a more thoughtful approach to finding a match.
- Locality is key
One of the key traits for a potential partner is proximity. Profile bios that mention “let’s meet up somewhere nearby” increased to 31% in 2023, the dating app shared.
The driving force behind this preference is environmental concern and a reluctance to travel long distances.
- The ideal profile photos
While Omi users are looking to date more intentionally, they still have preferences when it comes to the profile photos of a potential match.
Over 63% of women admitted to swiping left on male users who are wearing a mask in their profile photo. A smiling travel photo is the preference of 64% of female users as a way to create a good first impression.
“Nobody wants to date someone who hides their face. It gives off a lack of confidence and authenticity”, one female Omi user shared.
