The survey finds that 87 in 100 women disclosed that the female gaze does not fall on physical appearance, but rather on how emotionally mature and intelligent the profile appears in one glance
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic
Dating hasn't gotten louder, faster, or messier as many predicted. Instead, it has become smarter, and it is not only men but also the women, who are make sure that they are in control.
According to a recent consumer study by Indian dating app QuackQuack, 57 per cent of women actively use new-age techniques and strategies to filter, protect, and attract the most compatible matches. The non-stop swiping with the "the next one might be even better" mentality, or the matching for validation, is slowly coming to an end. The survey reveals that it is being replaced by an intentional and self-protecting dating style, which has altered how profiles are curated, conversations unfold, and connections are formed.
The online survey was conducted among 9685 active female daters from metros, suburbs, and rural India. Participants were between the ages of 20 and 35, and belonged to different educational and professional fields, including IT, healthcare, finance, sales and marketing, education, content creation, and entrepreneurship.
The app's founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, "As a dating app, we have several safety checks in place to protect our users, but protecting their feelings or from getting their hearts broken is another thing. This new self-protective dating style among women reflects emotional maturity. Women are not dating to fill a void or meet their checklist. They are dating with the intention of finding peace in love, understanding themselves better, and making room for meaningful connections. Their strategies are more conscious than cautious."
Female Gaze
Connections made on dating apps were always thought to be built on superficial attraction. People with attractive profile pictures get more matches. But that's not the case, and women are here to prove it. 87 in 100 women disclosed that the female gaze does not fall on physical appearance, but rather on how emotionally mature and intelligent the profile appears in one glance. Over-polished or perfectly posed photos, or ultra-strategic bios, don't stand out for women. 48 per cent of female daters said they want relaxed, real, and layered; a candid smile, some silly bio that talks about lived experiences, and hints rather than explains. The female gaze loves a profile that attracts curiosity instead of demanding attention.
Soft Launching
Dramatic romance updates and declarations are still there, but more women are slowly moving towards a softer launch: a whisper before the announcement. 36 per cent of women between 25 and 35 years of age explained that they prefer gradually introducing their partner through social media stories and posts, with a blurred photo here, a special mention of "mine" there. Anita (33), a professor from Delhi, shared, "I always felt that slow introduction helped me protect mine and my partner's emotional boundaries, but at the same time, we have the flexibility to share our happiness with the world. With soft launching, you avoid external opinion and even premature labels, and still have the scope to assess compatibility."
Profile Shielding
One of the most interesting shifts in recent years is the technique of Profile Shielding by women. 41 per cent of female daters from metros and smaller cities revealed adding intentional layers to their profiles to avoid emotional burnout. These typically include clear mention of deal breakers, clear intent indicators, minimal disclosure through bios, and more. 4 in 5 women say profile shields have helped them avoid mismatched expectations, unwanted matches, and emotional labour on incompatible connections. 27-year-old Prakriti from Bengaluru said, "This is not a guarded approach. I see it as being emotionally responsible. Certain information about me should only be available to people who are close to my heart; that's how you protect yourself from getting hurt. No amount of dating app safety features or filters can save you from a heartbreak if you are not making a conscious effort."
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