In an age where you can be everything, physical appearances remain a big factor when being chosen as a potential mate on online dating sites, according to a study.
Based on research conducted by the data-gathering platform Agile Data Solutions, over half of Filipinos are found to look at photos first when scouring profiles on online dating sites.
Via the survey arm Hustle PH, 1,000 men and women between the ages of 18 and above were surveyed, revealing that 63 percent of men and 54 percent of women consider the photo as paramount when looking for a probable partner.
Consequently, 44 percent of men and 45 percent of women are putting significant importance on their profile images instead of other facets that represent themselves.
Agile Data Solutions Co-Founder Jason Gaguan claims that online dating is adherent to the “rules of physical dating,” a situation that calls for an initial attraction that is prompted by looks, which eventually develops through “meaningful conversations.”
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The main disparity, according to Gaguan, is that the connections established between two potential mates are expedited when there is no “barrier of physical distance” and the “burden of time-consuming face-to-face meetings.”
The study, which seeks to find the advantages and disadvantages of the use of online dating apps, found that 48 percent of men and 50 percent of women prioritize building deep connections while not emphasizing “in-person meetings.”
Additionally, 37 percent of men and 32 percent of women appear to be looking for others who may share similar interests and hobbies.
The Agile Data Solutions exec believes in the “universal desire” among the participants of the study in building wider social connections, via online dating sites.
Finding success in online dating apps, the study also reported that 73 percent of men and 58 percent of women have found relationships from said platforms.
However, far from the perfect scenario, some users are finding challenges when looking to establish a social connection via online dating apps, such as stress, anxiety, fear, and mistrust.