Online Dating The Use of the Internet to Meet Partners

…Did Online Dating Really Kill Cupid?

History and Background In the 1700s bachelors searched for wives through printed ads Matrimonial agencies were a big business in Britain by the 18 th century Being single pass the age of 21 was considered shameful Print ads were a last resort for men who advertised and women who read them If a match was made, it was not talked about freely Personal ads went mainstream in early 20 th century died off until the 1960s

From Newspaper to the Internet Internet dating is the modern version of the first matrimonial agencies of the 1700s First major internet dating websites combination of Kiss.com and Match.com, both registered by the same person in 1994 & 1995 Other dating sites at the time but were more focused on international dating and mail order bride services The online dating market quickly exploded AOL and Yahoo revamped their personals/dating section due to the popularity of online dating

By 1996 there were 16 dating websites listed in Yahoo Yahoo was a directory at the time The 1998 movie You got mail put a positive light on meeting people online Online dating still thriving, Americans spent over $500 million on online dating in 2007 Expected to increase to $932 million in 2011 Online dating is the 2 nd highest industry for paid content on the web

How Does it Work? Step 1: Pick a site of your interest Step 2: Create a profile Step 3: Make contact

The Math Behind Matchmaking Whats an Algorithm? It is an effective method for solving a problem expressed as a finite sequence of steps

Algorithms Pepper Schwartzs algorithm –Developed one of the first algorithm –Calculation to match daters with similar variables –Match.com Helen Fishers algorithm –Designed an algorithm to link brain chemistry traits as well as psychological and sociological variables Categorizes people as an explorer, builder, director or negotiator

Galen Buckwalters algorithm His algorithm uses 29 variables social type relationship style emotional personality eHarmony Soulmate Calculator These mathematical calculators allow you to rank a desired mate by variables like: religious preference risk tolerance Ambition humor. Decide how wide a location and age range you are willing to consider, hit the calculate button and the system will do the math and tell you the statistical probability of meeting your perfect mate. Algorithms Continued

Different Types of Dating Sites Major sites eHarmony.com Chemistry.com Plentyoffish.com Specialized sites Womenbehindbars.com 420dating.com Ashleymadison.com Nolongerlonely.com

The Science Behind Matchmaking Science-based dating sites Their Methods DNA matchmaking Sweaty t-shirt study

Online Dating Business Models 2 primary business models: Subscription based Free based Subscription site fees vary from dollars Subscription sites use matchmaking service 1 in 5 new relationships begin on a dating site Subscription sites also allow users to browse by region, ethnicity, religion, body type, etc.

Business Models: Free-based Subscription is free, with premium services offered at a cost Made possible by online advertising Free sites include PlentyofFish and okcupid PlentyofFish sees in excess of 1 billion site visits per month Creator of PlentyofFish estimates his site generates 100,000 marriages a year.

Business Models: Free-based Cont. Affiliate marketing: Advertising products and services, sharing the profits with the website Selling of users personal data: Sold to advertisers/marketing firms Social networking sites Facebook and Myspace also accused of selling users data

Impact of Internet 77% of our Population uses the Internet News, Information, Research Shopping User Reviews Social Networking Entertainment

Why Choose Online Dating? Busy Lives Tired of Bar Scene Expand your social circle

More reasons online dating services is on the rise: Gives you the ability to access thousands of profiles of future potential matches. Your prospective love connections are not limited by the people you meet in your job, school, or social circle. Trusted security measures are set up to retain your privacy and safety. Your in charge of who you want to meet or talk to. You make the decision whether to meet someone. Online dating is reasonably affordable.

Successful? Married couples who met online have an average courtship period of 18.5 months, and those who met offline courtship period last on average 42 months. In the last year 17% of couples who married met on a dating site. 1 in 5 singles have dated someone they met on a dating site. 1 in 5 singles are currently in a committed relationship with someone they met on a dating site. On average 10 percent of members pay for the dating service and stay for less than 3 months For singles who use dating sites, 33% form a relationship, 33% do not, and 33% give up on dating online. Singles who are more likely to use dating sites are ones who are more sociable and have high self- esteem. They also put more value in romantic relationships. China - The number of singles who use online dating sites in China is expected to reach 140 million by 2010 (The US is only at 40 million).

Pros & Cons Pros & Cons Choices Men out # women Scam Artists Youre Married!!?? Mis- representation Getting to know each other before physical interaction Rejection Reduction Same Interests

Dangers Fraud Security and Privacy Stalking Physical Assault Identity Theft Exposure to Offensive Material

Play It Safe Plan first dates in public areas Make sure your friends know where you are on dates Ask a lot of detailed questions NEVER send money to someone online Keep your information to a minimum

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