Just a few years ago, the online dating market in Ukraine was gaining popularity.
One “swipe” is all it takes and you agree to a date. How much has the situation changed now, because many men are leading and women are emigrating? We conducted an interview with Maxim Kovalsky, a representative of the dating site for Ukrainians UkrDate.
Maxim, tell us how the dating situation has changed in the last year and a half?
Maxim: We expected the number of registrations to drop significantly, but surprisingly, registrations have increased. For example, during the period March 2022 – December 2022, the number of users increased by 46%, if we talk about registrations from other countries, they grew 8 times from March to October 2022, and in 2023 our site exceeded the mark of 1 million active users. Active means those who log in at least 4 times a week.
Until 2022, the site has 600 thousand active users. We noticed the biggest increase from European countries, but large cities in Ukraine are not lagging behind. In the period June-September 2023, the number of users from Kyiv increased by 34%, from Kharkov by 16%, from Odessa – by 23%, from Dnepr – by 12%, from Zaporozhye and Lviv – by 15%. Registrations from Poland, Germany, Romania, Israel, and the USA continue to grow every month.
We actively attract users, but we see that many come at the invitation of friends.
How has the ratio of female and male users changed?
Maxim: More women than men, but not by much. On average, for cities, by 7-12%. The main age of users is 34-47 years old, but there are also many 18-25, especially in large cities of Ukraine.
Is there any data on existing couples? What percentage of users are successfully dating?
Maxim: If you believe the reviews and surveys, then every 6 Ukrainians find what they came to the site for. Many, deleting the profile, write thanks and remember that they were recognized. Some send stories of their first meeting, share photos from weddings. This is our mission – to help people find the right person to start a family.
What do Ukrainians pay attention to when meeting people on a website?
Maxim: We regularly conduct user surveys. Based on the latest data from a survey in which 15,500 Ukrainians aged 24 to 62 years took part, 62% pay attention to eyes and faces (that’s why it’s so important to add photos to a profile on a dating site) , 24% look at the interests and completion of the profile , 9% pay attention to literacy, 3% – the presence of bad habits, 2% in the general field of activity. Data shows that looks are less important on a dating site than when dating in real life.
Primary goal of users: relationship or communication?
Maxim: UkrDate is a site for serious dating, therefore, in 95% of cases, people have the goal of creating a relationship and family. But there are also those who want to talk, plan a move, or come to flirt. In the past year, for example, users have mentioned that they are looking for a serious relationship, but they would also be happy with simple conversations and help in adapting to a foreign country.
If we talk about the percentage of registrants from abroad and in Ukraine, who is more?
Maxim: There were 44% more users registered in Ukraine during June-September than those registered from abroad. It makes me happy because people, despite the hard times, are willing to talk, meet and find love!
How do algorithms work to select the right person?
Maxim: The neural network finds partners with similar interests, views and facial features. There is an intelligent search that instantly suggests the most compatible potential partners. There are also more than a hundred questions on the site on various sensitive topics, which the user can answer in the same way. The more surveys, the fewer matches, and the higher the chance of meeting someone who 100% shares your outlook on life.
What about data security and privacy?
Maxim: We use various security measures, including data encryption, verification systems, profile moderation, and user privacy guidelines.
What is the process for reviewing profiles on the site?
Maxim: All profiles, photos and videos are checked automatically, then manually checked by moderators, and then verified in 4 stages: by photo, phone number, e-mail and social network account. Fully verified profiles will receive a special badge that proves the user is real.
Are there many scammers?
Maxim: Fortunately, no. But sometimes you come across fake profiles that invite you to visit different sites. Such profiles are automatically blocked without the right to re-register. We take user safety and comfort seriously.
How do you promote ethics and respect on your site to prevent negative behavior?
Maxim: We have clear terms of use and a zero tolerance policy for negative behavior. We train users how to report negative experiences and take immediate action.
How does your website promote strong, long-term relationships between people?
Maxim: We support users at every stage: from creating a profile to starting a letter. More than 200 phrases to attract attention for every taste. If the user does not know what to write, you can always choose a phrase and send it to your interlocutor. There are tips to help start a conversation and bright virtual gifts to attract attention.
The website contains a detailed questionnaire with all the important data: from height and weight to daily activities and habits. You can also indicate your food preferences and favorite drinks. General data is always highlighted in color to make it easier for others to navigate through the questionnaire. We try to make the dating process as simple, fast and effective as possible.
Which countries and regions have the most users on your site?
Maxim: We are a dating site for Ukrainians, because 60% are Ukrainian. Most users are from the million-plus cities and large cities of Ukraine, but there is enough choice in small towns and villages. Poland and Germany are in second place, followed by Great Britain, Israel, America, Canada, Latvia, France, and Spain. The peculiarity of the site is that all users are from Ukraine.
What future plans and innovations are you planning to implement on your site?
Maxim: We’re improving the algorithms for choosing the perfect match, working on security and introducing new options to make dating even faster! You will see everything for yourself soon!
Write some tips for those who are just thinking about registering on a dating site
Maxim: Fill out the form! This is very important. Provide detailed information about yourself, add several different good quality photos and the purpose of your search. 91% of users noticed that they would go through a profile without a photo. A dating site is a simple and fast way to find a partner when you are aiming for success. Checked!
Source: korrespondent
I’m Liza Grey, an experienced news writer and author at the Buna Times. I specialize in writing about economic issues, with a focus on uncovering stories that have a positive impact on society. With over seven years of experience in the news industry, I am highly knowledgeable about current events and the ways in which they affect our daily lives.