Study reveals what pushes modern daters to define relationships

The question “What are we?” remains one of the most defining—and nerve-racking—moments in modern dating. A new survey by Indian dating app QuackQuack, based on responses from 10,536 users across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities, reveals what finally pushes people to define their relationships. While the timing of this conversation varies, the reasons behind it are often deeply personal and rarely random.

According to the app’s Founder and CEO Ravi Mittal, “Defining the relationship in today's dating scenario is not about putting a label on it and calling the person 'yours.' Today, it's more about clarity and being on the same page. Daters don't want to keep someone on the hook; they understand the toxicity of the trend, and that's where the importance of Defining The Relationship peaks. We see that defining the connection at the right time can help avoid so many unnecessary heartbreaks.”




For many, a major life change acts as a trigger. Around 27% of daters said events like moving cities or starting a new job prompted reflection. Surbhi (29) from Delhi said, “When you are about to start a new chapter in life, you suddenly start thinking whether or not you want to take this person into that chapter. For me, it was moving to a different country for higher studies. I finally took the next step and decided this relationship means too much to me to leave undefined.”

Others see it as an emotional check-in, while some admit jealousy plays a role. Ankush from Mumbai shared, “For me, that twinge of jealousy was a wake-up call. I realized if I am getting jealous over silly things, I must truly have feelings for her. And if I care this much, I should figure out where we stand before I lose her.” In many cases, clarity comes after confusion, but for over a third of daters, the conversation ultimately helps them move forward—or move on.