BUZZ IN CONTENT – May 7 – BuzzInContent caught with Sanyam Sharma, Marketing Director, Blued India, the world's largest gay dating social media app, to discuss how content is helping the brand break stereotypes and normalise conversations around the LGBTQ community in India. Launched in 2012, Blued, the world's largest gay dating social media app. Sharma said it becomes quite challenging to associate with key opinion leaders and influencers for various campaigns as they shy away collaborating with brands that primarily focus on the LGBTQ space. The app believes radio has a huge potential to reach out to deeper pockets in India. Marketing budget is no bar for the brand. "If it is reaching out to a newer audience, creating more brand awareness and generating goodwill, we at Blued are always happy to spend more," concluded Sharma.
Category: All Worldwide (non UK/Euro/US)
The End of Pandemic Means Major Changes for 3 App Categories
MARKETING DIVE – Apr 27 – An analysis of global engagement trends suggests dining, gaming and dating are poised to undergo massive disruptions when life returns to normal. With so many of those in lockdown missing human contact, dating apps are seeing truly massive spikes in engagement whenever lockdowns lift.
Matrimony.com Launches Exclusive Matchmaking Service for IIM, IIT Grads
TIMES OF INDIA – Apr 27 – Matrimony.com has launched 'IIMIITMatrimony.com', an exclusive service for finding a life partner who has graduated from premier institutes like the IIMs, IITs and other top universities and colleges from India and abroad.
Indian Dating App Sees Spike in Female Users
TNN – Apr 19 – Dating app QuackQuack witnessed a 12% spike in female users in 2020, signifying that more women are comfortable using dating apps now. Female users login to the app 48x times a day whereas male users login 24x. Also, chat statistics are higher for women daters as compared to men. Women chat with 25 users while men chat with 10 users. More women (52%) are also keen to meet people from other cities while 48% of them are fine with dating from their location. Initially, 90.8% women prefer longer text conversations over video calls as they feel uncomfortable to start a conversation directly on a video call.
Dating App AYA Stands for “Come ‘As You Are'”
FINANCIAL EXPRESS – Apr 18 – AYA, a home-grown dating & social networking app built exclusively for the Indian LGBTQ+ community, prides itself on being a no-pressure zone. The app also aims to offer matchmaking services to the community one day. While the annulment of Section 377 may have granted the Indian LGBTQ+ community legal status, it did not neutralise or de-stigmatise the social taboos. AYA aims to create a safe space to counter the challenges of queer dating. With 9,500-plus downloads to date, the app is currently available for Android users. The user base accounts for 40% from tier-1 cities, 40% from tier-2 cities, and the rest from all over the country.
4 Indian Matrimonial Portals That Cater to the Rich
GQ INDIA – Apr 15 – The business of matrimony in India moved online decades ago and has managed to create niche pockets, while still retaining a very strong offline presence. Here a 4 Indian matrimonial portals that cater only to high net worth individuals:
- Ultra Rich Match
- Vows For Eternity
- MatchMe
- Elite Matrimony (an invite-only matrimonial portal from Bharat Matrimony)
India’s First Vernacular Dating App Arike Sees Traction
MONEY CONTROL – Apr 13 – "We are acquiring 1K users every day, which is three times faster than Aisle which was launched six years ago, said Aisle and Arike Founder and CEO Able Joseph. Arike is focusing on Malayalees between the age group of 21 and 40, both in India and outside the country.
Q&A With Sugarbook’s Founder About the App’s Ban in Malaysia and His Arrest
Q: How have you been holding up?
A: I'm feeling fine. I'm handling the necessary legal stuff with my lawyers so we just have to hang in there and persevere. Our site is still accessible via VPN and that's not something we can control on our end. We've definitely seen more sign-ups coming from across Southeast Asia.
Q: How was the arrest?
A: I was in my car at my home lobby when three undercover police cars ambushed me from the front and back. I was definitely shocked but I also saw it coming. But I was treated fine. Nobody was hostile or rude.
Q: What is your view about the way Malaysian outlets have portrayed you and Sugarbook in their coverage?
A: Malaysian media outlets brand our members as prostitutes. This is not only unjust and inaccurate but it isn't right or fair. The entire episode in Malaysia has been blown out of proportion and become extremely ugly.
Q: There have been calls on social media for you to disclose the names of sugar daddies. What is your response to that?
A: We take data and privacy very seriously and will never compromise anyone's personal identity.
Q: What are your future plans going forward?
A: Most of the initial charges against Sugarbook and myself have been dropped, with only one charge against me and that is 'inciting fear to the public.' I will not fight the Malaysian government. I am definitely deliberating whether or not to exit the Malaysian market and am considering my next moves.
Providing ID Before Opening a Social Media Account: Should It Be?
DAILYMAIL – Apr 5 – Australians have been left divided over the possibility of a radical overhaul of online dating, which would showing proof of ID to sign up to the platforms. Some have claimed the rules would lead to over-policing, but others agree it is a great idea for safer feeling and more confident to meet up with men and women. The discussion comes after a parliamentary committee released a report showing fraudsters and abusers could work from the apps with little risk of being caught. The Morrison government is expected to review the report and its recommendations and make a decision in coming weeks.
India’s Millionaire Matchmaking Services Promise Perfect Partners – for a Price
SCMP – Apr 5 – High-end services don't come cheap, and have minimum net worth requirements and background checks. Ultra Rich Match has offices across 14 Indian cities, New York and London. Market analysts say such firms fill a vacuum in the Indian marriage market – estimated to be worth about $50B USD according to KPMG. Ultra Rich Match clients pay $1k USD for the standard package, with an additional $2,500 USD fee to be paid on the wedding day, or $3k USD for the "royal package" for those with a net worth of at least $14M USD, with an additional $5k USD to be paid once the happy couple tie the knot. Most Indian high-end matchmaking services follow a similar pricing structure. Upwards of 10 million marriages take place each year in India.