MAM
Juleo-YouGov report: Two in three users never meet matches in person
Mumbai: Juleo in partnership with YouGov, surveyed over 1,000 singles from the top eight Indian cities to understand the current trends in Indian matchmaking. The Juleo-YouGov Indian Matchmaking 2024 Report reveals key insights on the challenges singles face, including the lack of in-person meetings, safety concerns, and the mental health impact of using dating and matrimony apps.
The report shows that two out of three individuals who use dating or matrimony apps and websites have never met their matches in person, indicating a lack of real-life connections. Common reasons include the inability to find suitable profiles and ghosting.
An alarming 78 per cent of female respondents reported encountering fake profiles on these platforms. Women express a strong desire for better privacy controls, with 74 per cent of all respondents stating that their profiles should only be visible to those they choose. Additionally, 82 per cent of women believe government ID verification is necessary for dating or matrimonial platforms, emphasising the need for safety measures.
The report also highlights the emotional and psychological toll of online matchmaking. Nearly half of all respondents experience mental health challenges from using these platforms. The pressure to make a great first impression is significant, with 62 per cent feeling stressed to maintain witty conversations. Furthermore, three out of four women feel overwhelmed by their experiences on dating or matrimony apps. The endless swiping feature adds to their woes, with 70 per cent finding it futile.
Clinical psychologist & TEDx speaker, Kamna Chhibber commented, “Relationships are challenging in modern times. The availability of too many choices and options can become a deterrent in building significant partnerships. Additionally, safety can get compromised as individuals seek to contact and meet more people. Building mechanisms for exploring relationships in a manner that is safe and which protects them – physically, emotionally and psychologically – is critical.”
Juleo’s founder-CEO, Varun Sud said, “The report shares the deep pain faced by the youth today in pursuit of love. Face-to-face conversations and in-person meetings form the core foundation of genuine relationships. Milne se hi baat banti hai. We have hence started a global movement through Juleo to change how singles find love in a safe, trustworthy and responsible manner.”
Brands
Abhinav Rastogi named global marketing director for YouTube Shopping
Google veteran to scale creator commerce and expand shopping across global markets
SINGAPORE: Abhinav Rastogi has stepped into a new role as global marketing director for YouTube Shopping, marking the latest chapter in a more than decade-long career at Google.
Rastogi, who took on the position in February and is based in Singapore, will lead global marketing for YouTube Shopping, a platform designed to connect creators, viewers and merchants in a single ecosystem. His remit includes expanding the service into new markets and strengthening its positioning as a growth channel for both creators and brands.
In a reflective note on the transition, Rastogi pointed to a simple but powerful idea driving the role. For years, creators have quietly built trust with audiences through consistent and authentic content, and that trust often shapes purchasing decisions. What is changing now, he said, is the infrastructure around that behaviour. YouTube Shopping aims to make it easier for viewers to discover and buy products recommended by creators they already follow.
The scale is already significant. More than half a million creators have joined the programme, with recent expansion into Japan through a partnership with Rakuten signalling further global ambitions.
Rastogi believes the future of shopping on YouTube will be driven by a blend of creators, content and communities. In his view, it is the human voice behind the screen, not just the product, that ultimately builds trust and drives discovery.
Prior to this role, he served as director of marketing, YouTube Asia Pacific, where he led regional marketing across creator engagement, brand building and reputation. During that time, he played a key role in launching and scaling YouTube Shopping across eight markets in the region.
Earlier stints at Google include group product marketing manager, consumer apps, overseeing growth for products such as Search, Maps and Assistant across India and Southeast Asia, and product marketing manager roles spanning consumer apps and YouTube, where he contributed to launches including YouTube Music, YouTube Originals and YouTube Shorts.
Rastogi began his career in consulting with Boston Consulting Group and A.T. Kearney, before moving into the technology sector. He is an alumnus of Indian Institute of Management Calcutta and Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur.
Alongside his corporate role, he is also an active angel investor, backing early-stage startups in consumer technology and electric mobility across India and Southeast Asia.
As he settles into the new role, Rastogi is betting on a future where every video can double up as a storefront, and where commerce feels less like a transaction and more like a recommendation from a trusted voice.
