Matrimonial sites fail to evoke good response from eves

Bangalore, July 28 (UNI) Matchmaking business on the internet may be galloping at a rapid pace in the country, raking in huge moolah, but it is yet to catch the fancy of women.

A recent study by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) to track the demographics of online match seekers, revealed that a mere 31 per cent women preferred to use internet for matrimonial search.

A peek into the online matrimonial activities of new subscribers in March showed that the fairer sex was equally hesitant when it came to posting a profile, with just 38 per cent of them and 67 per cent of men uploading their profile. The trend was similar in responding to a profile too as 47 per cent men came forward, compared to just 22 per cent women.

IAMAI Chairman Anupam Mittal, also Chairman and Managing Director, People Group, which runs popular site Shaadi.com, said ''the online matrimonial services business has been experiencing significant growth over the last few years on the back of a strong Indian diaspora. Over the next two years, we are expected to see over 50 per cent growth in this segment, driven largely by the need for a convenient matchmaking solution, increased internet penetration in India, as well as its demographic profile - almost 65 per cent of our population is under 35 years of age.'' One of the key drivers of this industry was that unlike traditional matchmaking solution, online matrimonial took away geographical and spatial limitations and provided a secure and private platform to meet potential partners, he said.

However, women still did not see matrimonial sites as an exclusive matchmaking medium, if the figures shown in the study were any indication. While 41 per cent men were solely dependent on the sites to search their soulmates, only 28 per cent women relied entirely on it. For 52 per cent men and 57 per cent women, it was only a supplementary medium.

When it came to paid sites, there were not many takers from either sex, with just 11 per cent men and four per cent women logging in.

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