Online dating has gone a long way. During the early and mid-1990s, you will find already 16 dating websites listed in Yahoo!. There were already web websites dedicated for sad people to meet and talk. In fact, meeting on the web became an important factor in the 1998 movie You’ve Got Mail. Some would say that social networking websites were products of early dating websites.

But it was not always smooth sailing for this service. Online dating websites experienced slow growth during 2001 and 2002, but is now fully recovered. It has become one of the most lucrative on the internet businesses, nowadays. According to web measurement firm comScore Media Metrix, about 39 million Americans or 26% of web customers have visited dating websites in December 2003. Online dating and relationship is attracting more people since they are less intimidating compared with the normal dates. In fact, inside a survey conducted by The Sunday Times, 72 % of ladies and 52% of men have had on the internet romance.

Having a large following, the revenues are also increasing. In 2001, web customers spent a total of $72 million on dating services, according to the Online Publishers Association. In 2002, the figures increased three times, people spent $302 million on personal paid advertising and dating services. Online dating services welcomed the very first half of 2003 with a bang. Revenues were already $214.3 million in just six months of that year.

Online dating websites would allow customers to search their database for possible love matches. The websites may recommend matches, but the customers are still given the selection to communicate with them or look for other possible matches. These websites offer different methods to connect with other customers like on the internet chats, web calls (voice over web protocol), games, webcasts and message boards. Sites may be free or may need members to pay monthly fees.

The increase of on the internet dating followers can be attributed to different factors.

• Potential choices. You will find a lot of members of dating websites and a lot of possible matches. This would give you a bigger opportunity in finding true love.

• Compared with going out on “real” dates, on the internet dating is relatively more inexpensive.

• Inside a way, on the internet dating websites supply you a great way of learning about other people more intensively without having fear of embarrassment of rejection. For shy people, this would help them learn about the other individual without having fear of being humiliated.

If other people think about on the internet dating a great opportunity, other people may regard this risky. You will find some free websites who would claim their success in on the internet dating, nevertheless, these websites would also attract large numbers of scammers and prevents since they are free. Inside a study by the University of Texas Health Science Center, ladies who are up to on the internet dating are vulnerable of stalking, fraud and sexual violence. You will find also customers who would fall victims to people who would assume a different kind of personality just to attract other people or any response.

Online dating websites are not ideal since they may also encounter some difficulties. For instance, some websites would fail to update their database. They would claim a large number of members when majority are inactive. Other people would complain simply because some profiles are just used as “baits” which are used to attract more members. You will find also some websites which use their member’s email address to send spam.

Online dating is all about chance in getting love and relationship. Some would get lucky, although other people may be unsuccessful. After all, the game of love is really a risky game whether it is on the internet or offline.

Additional Resources

True Romance Online

Be Sociable, Share!

Tagged with: •

Filed under: retirement living

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!