People from Tier 1 and 2 cities claim dating bringing back positive reinforcement in dating

In the past decade, there has been a dramatic change in the way people connect and seek love and relationships. More than 42% of Indians from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities revealed using dating apps to start their dating journey and find genuine partners. When India’s No.1 dating app, QuackQuack, asked these daters in a recent consumer behavior study, “What makes dating apps the better choice,” 26% of these people claimed that these online dating platforms have reintroduced the concept of winning over a person with positive reinforcement and have birthed a more affirming dating culture. QuackQuack’s Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, “Managing an app that caters to over 3 crore people, we firmly believe it can bring positive changes to the young minds. We see users shifting from the ‘convince till they accept’ approach to ‘compliment till they consent.’ We closely observe our user behavior, and in the past few years, how they take rejections or get unmatched has drastically changed. It is taken in more good spirits today than it was a few years back.”

The study was conducted in the first week of August 2024, among 10,000 Indian dating app users. Participants included both GenZ and Millennials and came from various backgrounds- IT professionals, students, medical professionals, content creators, finance experts, sales and marketing professionals, and entrepreneurs.

Power of Compliments

The foundation of a relationship should be healthy, and compliments are the easiest way to achieve that. 33% of women claim that it is the best form of positive reinforcement in dating. A genuine compliment on their personality, taste, preferences, or appearance not only lifts their mood but also helps positively encourage more response and engagement with a match. 4 out of 6 women disclosed that a carefully placed compliment in a message made them continue a conversation and even follow up. It is a simple act of kindness, but the ripple effect is massive. It works in breaking the ice, creating a comfortable and positive environment, and helping develop a deeper connection rooted in genuine kindness.

26% of male dating app users say that in the digital space, where most initial interactions are on the surface level, compliments are the safest validation that daters can offer. Amit, from Hyderabad, mentioned, “It’s the first step in the trust-building process and the best way to express that you are interested in being more than friends and maybe even want a future together. The world is judgmental; a few sincere, kind words can seal the deal.”

Esteem-Boosting

18% of Tier 1 and 2 daters also mentioned that dating apps help boost their self-esteem. “On the days you doubt your worth, every like, match request, and message from even a random user serves to remind you that you are desirable. You are worthy of so much love and attention from people. Nothing reminds you of your value more than dating apps,” said 21-year-old Shayantani. Men and women using these apps also mentioned that a person who knows their worth tends to choose more carefully and choose better matches. Tanmay (30) from Pune commented, “Believing that you deserve better is everything in dating. There’s no rush to settle, and there’s no self-doubt. It almost always leads to finding the perfect match.”

Rejections

Rejections are inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any easier when someone’s on the receiving end of it. What helps is the regular positive reinforcement that helps navigate these tough situations without self-doubt. Ananya, the 27-year-old lawyer, commented, “When you regularly get positive feedback from matches on your online dating profile, rejections become less about you and more about them. When a match says, ‘It’s not you, it’s me,’ I actually believe them.” 22% of daters between 25 and 35 explained how constant positive interactions from numerous people on dating apps help cushion the blow of rejection from one. Even an IRL rejection feels less personal. Somewhere, the positive impact of dating apps has ingrained in daters that rejections are just a part of dating. Moreover, interacting with several people also leads to a higher chance of being exposed to both positive and negative interaction, which in turn makes these daters more well-equipped to handle a tough conversation and look at things from one set perspective.

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