Dil Mil, marketed as a dating app for South Asians seeking connections, unfortunately fell short of expectations in several key areas. As an openly gay individual residing in Northern California, I encountered a significant mismatch between my location and the profiles suggested by the app. This geographical discrepancy consistently presented potential matches far outside my desired radius, rendering the platform impractical for forming genuine connections.
I signed up for Dil Mil after seeing an advertisement on Instagram that offered a 25% discount and a 3-day free trial period. I initially believed that I would be able to use the free trial for 3 days and, if not satisfied, cancel without being charged. If I wanted to continue, I would do nothing, and my VISA would be charged $129.99 after the trial period. However, my VISA was charged the full amount of $129.99 on August 11, 2024, directly contradicting this understanding.
When I contacted Dil Mil Support regarding a refund, I received a response on August 14, 2024, directing me to Google for the refund, as they handle subscription payments. Dil Mil also offered me 15 freebies—Requests, Super Likes, or Boosts—as a gesture to improve my experience. Despite this, I needed to provide detailed reasons for my refund request, including disclosing my private sexual orientation.
Upon sharing my personal details and reasons for feeling unfairly charged, Dil Mil Support responded on August 15, 2024, requesting the Order ID of the subscription and the email address linked to my Play Store account before forwarding my refund request to their Operations team. On August 17, 2024, they confirmed that my refund request had been forwarded to the Operations team and that they would follow up with a response. I eventually received my refund on August 19, 2024.
While I eventually got my refund, the process highlighted a lack of transparency and fairness in handling customer concerns. There should be a reasonable grace period for refunds, as seen with competitors like Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid, and Bumble, which offer short payment plans and trial periods. Implementing a similar strategy could build trust with users.
In addition to these issues, the platform faces challenges in supporting the LGBT+ community. The lack of Desi LGBT+ members significantly diminishes the app's effectiveness for users like me. Matching with profiles miles beyond a reasonable driving distance defeats the purpose of a dating app if meeting up in real life isn't feasible. A South Asian-centric dating app needs to attract and retain LGBT+ members, which could be achieved by increasing awareness and outreach to this community.
Depending on user privacy settings, profiles should indicate sexual orientation, as I found it difficult to determine whether some men shown to me were allies or straight. Users should have the option to clearly state "which team they play for," making the platform more inclusive and reducing confusion.
Moreover, the in-app chat environment needs better moderation. Several instances of anti-Islamic and anti-Hindu hate speech, as well as personal harassment, occurred in chat rooms. For example, on August 19, 2024, I was explicitly called a "cuck" in the Guys Only chat room. While I reported and blocked the individual, such behavior shouldn't be allowed in the first place. AI-powered content moderation could help curb spam, negative statements, harassment, and hate speech, creating a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all users.
Dil Mil should also consider overhauling its verification system, similar to the video selfie methods used by competitors like Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid. A more robust verification process would enhance user safety and trust. Additionally, the ability to rearrange text prompts, pictures, and voice recordings would improve the user experience, allowing for greater customization of profiles.
Finally, tapping into South Asian LGBT organizations like Trikone in Northern California and Satrang in Southern California, as well as promoting the app at popular South Asian events like "Dhoom Party SF," could significantly increase the visibility of Dil Mil within the LGBT+ community. These steps would help ensure that the app is welcoming and inclusive of all members, fostering a more diverse and vibrant community.
Overall, while Dil Mil has potential, its shortcomings in location-based matchmaking, financial transparency, and user safety, along with its lack of support for LGBT+ members, have rendered it a disappointing and frustrating experience. With the suggested improvements, the platform could better serve its diverse user base and fulfill its promise as a premier dating app for South Asians.