09 June,2026 03:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Height, appearance, and zodiac sign can take a backseat; in 2026, singles are matching over vibes, not necessarily their own. Personality archetypes have emerged as one of the leading dating filters among modern users, with daters mentioning "golden retriever energy wanted," to "hope you can deal with my black cat vibe" on their bios. From an internet meme to a genuine personality type, these social media shorthands help singles communicate their emotional needs, quirky habits, and relationship expectations without writing paragraphs.
A recent survey by Indian dating app QuackQuack, reveals that modern daters actively use personality types to identify potential matches, making "energy compatibility" The trend of the year so far.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, said, "Self-awareness has been a big part of modern dating, and we have repeatedly said that. This energy compatibility is also a branch of that. The labels sound playful and meme-like, but they are real indicators of one's personality, and in the pretext of fun, people are actually making very important and well-thought-out choices. The trend is not just about personality type; it also shows a significant shift in matching patterns. People have moved from relying on appearances, and they are now heavily invested in 'what lies within'."
The study was conducted among 10,384 Gen-Z and Millennial active dating app users from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhubaneshwar, Calicut, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Kanpur, and other Tier 2 and 3 cities. Participants ranged in age between 20 and 35, and were chosen from different professional and educational fields for a comprehensive analysis. The survey reveals that 6 out of 10 daters today use personality archetypes as a valid personal dating filter.
Around 41 per cent of daters revealed they look for a partner whose personality complements theirs, not mirrors it. For these daters, the ideal match isn't two extroverts fighting for speaking time, or two extremely quiet people waiting for the other to start the conversation. Rather, they typically lean toward matches who offer complementary dynamics. The survey shows that 56 per cent of users self-identify as having selective affection, quiet, and slightly mysterious Black Cat energy, and 9 out of 10 of them intentionally search for matches who radiate the warm, enthusiastic, optimistic, and emotionally open "Golden Retriever" vibe.
Conversely, 46 per cent of self-described Golden retrievers are attracted to people with a more reserved personality and calm aura. 6 out of 10 long-time couples disclosed that this combination creates an emotionally balanced environment in the relationship, with one partner bringing spontaneity while the other offers a more grounded perspective.
One of the most interesting findings is how personality labels, which started as fun and games are now used as communication tools that efficiently replace long explanations. About 34 per cent of men and 38 per cent of women from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai shared that daters prefer matches who add personality labels to their bios; it is easier to understand their dating style before interaction. Gautami (28) from Delhi, said, "So, when a match writes a hundred and ten good things about himself - like he is positive-minded and always enthusiastic to try new things - it feels like I am reading someone's resume. But instead, when I see 'Golden Retriever Energy, ' it immediately sounds cuter, plus less braggy."
The study also found that for Gen-Z users, these are typical dating shorthands and make the first interaction much less awkward with matches already aware of the type of personality they are dealing with.
The most significant takeaway from the study is the shift of emphasis from superficial preference to emotional fit. Over 43 per cent of daters between 25 and 35 explained that, currently, personality archetype influences their dating choices much more than physical traits. Divyanshu, a 26-year-old software engineer from Pune, commented, "A year back, honestly, I looked at profile pictures to match. Now, I care more about how a person describes themselves, converses, and expresses complex emotions. I see these interesting names for personality types - Black Cat, Orange Cat, Golden Retriever - but more than the names, I always think that this person has put in the effort to figure themselves out and label their personality. To me, it screams emotionally mature and sorted."
