78% Of Women On Matchmaking Apps Encounter Fake Profiles, Reveals Survey

Ting! You have a new match! Or do you? If you have ever been on a matchmaking app, surely each match-- the prospect of a new love interest-- brings a wave of thrill. However, you are also likely to face other not-so-pleasant emotions like apprehension, especially in an age where fake profiles are so rampant. According to a recent survey, at least 78% of women in India have encountered fake profiles on dating or matrimonial apps, turning the fun and genuine experience into a cautionary tale.

Falling In Love Or Falling For Traps?

An online singles club called Juleo, in partnership with YouGov, recently released the findings of a survey on matchmaking app experiences in India. They surveyed 1,000 singles from the top eight cities in the country, revealing trends that potential app users would not find inviting. 

From scams to deceitful profiles, and mental health impacts to concerns around safety, online dating is a challenging journey for Indian users. Moreover, users often struggle with finding genuine connections, with most interactions not translating to real-life experiences.

An alarming 78% of female respondents said they have encountered fake profiles on matchmaking apps, demanding enhanced verification and privacy. Meanwhile, 74% of all users reported that they want their profiles to only be visible to those whom they choose.

About 82% of women expressed that they would feel safer using dating and matrimonial apps if there was government ID verification. Users also stated that this would control the financial scams that have been on the rise through such apps in India in recent times.

Why Online Dating Is A Psychologically Demanding Experience

The survey also calculated the mental health impact of using online matchmaking, which concluded that at least 48% of users experienced psychological and emotional fatigue. Every three out of four women stated that they feel overwhelmed with their experiences on these platforms. 

Some of the mental impacts stem from the pressure to leave a great impression on their match coupled with the innate feeling of being desired or wanted. This often leads to matchmaking app users finding themselves in an endless and unyielding loop of swiping and scrolling.

About 70% of all users share that continuous swiping is futile and adds to their emotional woes. Every two out of three users expressed that they would love to have a personalized artificial intelligence-equipped matchmaker to help them find profiles instead of continuously searching.

The report also shows that two out of three matchmaking app users in India have never met their matches in real life. The biggest reason for this trend is reportedly uninteresting matches or 'ghosting', which means intentionally and abruptly ending a conversation without an explanation.