SoulfulDate, an online social communication platform, has released findings from a voluntary survey of approximately 2,300 members on their use of Icebreakers, a feature that provides pre-written conversation starters. The survey, conducted from April to June 2026, reveals a nearly even split between users who send the default template and those who customize it, offering insights into broader digital communication trends.
The results indicate that 52% of respondents use the template without modification, while 41% modify it before sending, and 7% vary their approach depending on the profile. Among those who stick with the default, 36% feel the template is sufficient, 33% prefer saving time, 12% say it already matches what they would write, and 19% are uncertain about what to write. This last group aligns with research published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, which found that individuals with higher social anxiety are less likely to initiate contact online, even with ready-made tools.
The survey also examined send volume. 43% of users typically select three recipients per session, while only 11% consistently send to the maximum of five. Users who send to five recipients are 16 percentage points more likely to use the default template than the average (68% vs. 52%), suggesting that broader reach correlates with a preference for efficiency.
Customizers, on the other hand, modify messages for several reasons: 54% want a more personal feel, 23% want to reference something specific from the recipient's profile, 15% feel more comfortable sending self-written messages, and 8% are dissatisfied with the default tone. Overall, 76% of respondents describe the post-send experience as confident or neutral, positioning Icebreakers as a low-friction entry point.
“The split we see in how SoulfulDate members use Icebreakers reflects something broader about how people approach a first message,” said a SoulfulDate product team representative. “Some members value the speed and simplicity of a ready-made prompt. Others want to say something that feels specific to the person they are reaching out to. Understanding the difference between those two groups and what each of them needs shapes how we think about the feature going forward.”
The survey collected no personally identifiable information, and responses were stored independently of user accounts with an anonymity notice shown before participation. Only aggregated results were retained. All respondents were registered, active members who had used Icebreakers at least once, and participation was opt-in, so results reflect engaged users and may not represent the broader membership.
SoulfulDate is an online platform available in multiple regions, offering free registration and profile browsing, with premium options for messaging, long-form correspondence, and media sharing. New members can follow the SoulfulDate setup guide to get started.
