SoulfulDate, an online social communication platform, has published 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 distinct split: 52% of respondents used the template without modification, 41% modified it before sending, and 7% varied their approach depending on the profile. These findings offer insight into the broader tension between efficiency and self-expression in digital communication.
Among those who used the default template, the primary reasons were that the template felt sufficient (36%), a preference for saving time (33%), or that the template already said what they would have written (12%). Notably, 19% cited uncertainty about what to write, aligning with [research published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1089/cyber.2023.0604) that found individuals with higher social anxiety are less likely to initiate contact online, even with ready-made tools available.
The survey also uncovered behavioral patterns in recipient selection. Most users (43%) selected three recipients per session, the midpoint of the available range, while only 11% consistently sent to the maximum of five. Interestingly, those who sent to five recipients were 16 percentage points more likely to use the default template than the overall average (68% vs. 52%), suggesting a correlation between broader reach and a preference for efficiency over personalization.
Conversely, among those who customized messages, the main motivations were to make the message feel more personal (54%), to reference something specific from the recipient's profile (23%), or to feel more comfortable sending something self-written (15%). Only 8% cited dissatisfaction with the default tone. Overall, 76% of respondents described their 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 was opt-in and collected no personally identifiable information, with responses stored independently of user accounts. All respondents were registered, active members who had used Icebreakers at least once, and no demographic data was collected beyond age eligibility (18+) and prior feature use. As such, results reflect engaged users of the feature and may not represent the broader SoulfulDate membership.
SoulfulDate is an online platform that allows members to engage in written correspondence and build connections at their own pace. It offers both free and paid features: registration and profile browsing are free, while messaging, long-form correspondence, and media sharing are premium options. New members can follow the [SoulfulDate setup guide](https://www.soulfuldate.com/setup) to get started.
