Social media and its content have evolved significantly over time. Instagram, which was launched in 2010 as a platform for sharing photos, has today turned into a black hole for different types of content. From classic funny cat videos to the always popular GRWM (Get Ready With Me) clips, the platform offers something for everyone.

Today, GRWM videos are more than just makeup tutorials or fashion showcases. They’re tools for storytelling – narrating personal experiences, delving into politics, and even providing candid glimpses into people’s love lives. But there’s one type of narrative that audiences can’t get enough of: the chaotic, thrilling, and sometimes cringeworthy stories of the love lives of strangers.

No, we are not talking about shiny double reels that resemble fairy tales. These are raw, unfiltered takes on dating that showcase every ups and downs along the way. These reels often sound like this:

• “Get ready to go on a first date with me”
• “Get ready with me while I tell you about my date.”
• “Get ready to go on a second date with me”
• “Get ready with me to meet my ex-wife”

How did it all start?

Oversharing on social media is nothing new, but the trend of discussing one’s dating life took off in the West before making its way to other regions. One of the pioneers of this trend is 31-year-old American creator Danielle Walter, often called “the girl who takes you on dates.”

According to Danielle, she started sharing her dating experiences to let others know that they are not alone in their struggle to find love. outcome? In less than a year he gained almost one million followers. By the way, she has already gone on dates 12 times this year!

Indian writers are also adopting this trend. Zakir Siddiqui, an Indian influencer based in San Francisco, calls himself “the viral Indian guy who wears a black belt on the first date.” His videos, which include before-and-after date updates, have earned him over a million followers with just 59 posts.

We analyzed these same “dating content” posts and found that this type of content often keeps audiences highly engaged, with comment sections filled with people sharing their opinions on dates and getting excited about them.

have a look:

‘New reality show’

Statistics also show the same. A recent study conducted by Bumble, which researched 41,294 individuals, predicted 2025 dating trends. It turns out that Dating GRWM, Live-Stream Breakup, Post-Date Debrief, Hard Launch, Relationship “Test”, and Dating Wrapped have made dating our ‘new favorite reality show.’

• According to Bumble, this growing social media bubble is adapting to a new reality that will be even more relevant in 2025.
• The study also reveals that almost half (48 percent) of Indian singles are celebrating more authentic dating and relationship content that showcases not only the highs but also the lows, providing a ‘window’ into the broader dating experience. works as.
• This shift towards more transparent, shared dating experiences is having a positive impact, with 1 in 4 (26 per cent) of women surveyed locally feeling less self-conscious and lonely.

Seeing others openly discuss these experiences inspires healthy relationship goals, helping people recognize potential red flags and have big conversations earlier. In fact, more than a third of singles (39 percent) say realistic, positive dating content creates optimism about their own love lives, with this being even more prevalent among women (50 percent).

Why are we so invested?

Delhi-based mental health and relationship expert Aashmeen Munjal explains that stories about others’ love lives resonate deeply because they reflect our own dreams, fears and fantasies. It is no surprise that ‘Splitsvilla’, ‘Love Is Blind’ and other shows dominate the global entertainment market. These same topics have now found their way into snackable social media formats.

Relationship expert Ruchi Ruh says, “It’s not just humor or attractive people that attract us. We become mesmerized by the way emotions unfold, providing insight into the complexities of attraction, romance, and connection. .Whether it’s a reel or a single friend sharing his stories with us, we find them relevant and deeply interesting.”

But experts suggest that this ‘oversharing’ often comes with a price – a price that the person doing the oversharing often has to pay.

cost of oversharing

“He dumped you, probably because you looked like that,” read one comment on Danielle’s post as she discussed how one of her dates didn’t go the way she wanted.

Comment sections are often considered insulting to people like Danielle, who share their love lives on social media. Even though this content may get a lot of engagement, it also has its fair share of trolls. Experts suggest that this can not only affect the person mentally but can also hinder the relationship.

Ashmeen warns that over-sharing can have unintended consequences. She says sharing a sweet moment may feel rewarding initially, but if it doesn’t get the expected likes or praise, it can lead to self-doubt.

“Think of a new relationship like a candle flame. Too much air, comments, opinions and judgments can destroy it,” she adds.

Ruchi echoes this sentiment, warning that once you share something personal, it’s harder to set boundaries later. “It’s one thing to tell a friend about your date, but it’s another to broadcast it to everyone on Instagram. It is essential to consider the privacy of those involved and strike a balance between openness and discretion to protect your mental health and relationships,” she advises.

Finally, Aashmeen asks, “Is this moment valuable because it can get likes, or because it is ours?”

Memorization

Social media may have turned dating into a highly qualified reality show, but let’s not forget that the most meaningful love stories are the ones that live offline. After all, while the world loves a juicy tale, the best chapters are written for an audience of two!