Information About Online Dating
You can use the Internet to find the love of your life. Millions of people worldwide have turned to online dating to do just that. While it might seem straightforward to some, online dating remains a daunting and mysterious process for many others.
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History
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The popularity of online dating has grown in leaps and bounds since the mid-1990s. As traditional ways of meeting romantic partners have fallen by the wayside, technology has stepped in to fill the gap. In the early days of the Internet, people met their matches in chat rooms and Internet "lounges" for people with shared interests. Nowadays, more and more singles are subscribing to online dating websites with the specific goal of meeting a romantic partner. A 2010 Nielsen poll found that one out of four adults has tried Internet dating. That number is expected to grow.
The Facts
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Online dating is big business. The industry is expected to earn nearly $1 billion by 2011. Free online dating services are also popular and have experienced a surge in usage. The demographics of online dating sites are also shifting. According to Janet Kidd Stewart of the Chicago Tribune, "older adults are the fastest-growing demographic in online dating." A study conducted by Chadwick Martin Bailey found that 17 percent of couples married between 2007 and 2010 met each other via online dating. In addition, "more than twice as many marriages occurred between people who met on an online dating site than met in bars, at clubs and other social events combined".
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Types of Online Dating Services
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There are many different kinds of Internet dating sites. Sites like LavaLife and Match.com are highly popular. Websites like JDate and Christian Cafe attract singles with similar religious backgrounds. The Right Stuff connects graduates of Ivy League schools and requires members to submit proof of graduation before joining. Free websites, like PlentyofFish, cater to the widest possible audience. DatingFactory offers ways for people to meet singles with disabilities and people infected with HIV. Ashley Madison is a controversial website that focuses on introductions for people already in long-term relationships. eHarmony, one of North America's most successful online dating sites, recently announced that it will launch a matchmaking service for pets.
Misconceptions
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The world of online dating is struggling to gain a better reputation. In 2009, the Canadian Anti-Fraud team responded to roughly 400 cases of fraud related to profiles posted on well-established dating websites. In the U.S., several cases of assault and murder have been linked to criminals who used online dating services to meet their victims. In addition, in some circles, certain stigmas are still attached to couples who meet via online dating services. And yet, it is no longer true that online dating services are the refuge of computer geeks or people who lack real-life interpersonal skills.
Getting Started
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If you are ready to enter the world of online dating, there are a few things you can do to start off on a good foot. If the dating website you are using requires a profile, fill it out. A complete profile gives potential matches a good glimpse of what your personality is like. Attaching a picture to your profile will increase the likelihood that other singles will get in contact with you. OkTrends has found that people who appear to be flirting into the camera in their profile pictures get high numbers of responses. Finally, getting a friend to double-check your profile and offer friendly feedback can also increase your success rate.
Expert Insight
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Charlayne Nelson is the founder of LuvHertz, the world's first social network devoted to dating and relationship advice. She advises singles not to be closed-minded, saying "the things you're looking for might not come in the package you expect. Don't compromise your standards but don't be blind when something fabulous is standing right in front of you. Be willing to try new things and to consider different views." Nelson also urges people to be honest. "Don't change who you are to impress someone else or waste your time, and the time of someone else, by misrepresenting yourself." Online dating is nothing if not an adventure. Be open to all of the possibilities.
Potential
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The ability to use the Internet to find romantic partners who fit your own personal criteria has proved irresistible to countless singles. For many, browsing online dating profiles is the first stop when looking for love. Dating websites facilitate matches between millions of people who would not otherwise have met. Online dating is a worldwide phenomenon that is definitely here to stay.
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References
- Photo Credit computer image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
