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Internet Dating - More than one out of every ten Internet users visit dating sites. When our focus narrows to the Internet population who describe themselves as “single and seeking a relationship,” the number triples. Thirty-seven percent of those who are single and looking for a relationship say they have gone to dating websites.
© 2007 Resources Center
A Pew Internet survey reports, “A notable number of these online daters have found firsthand that lasting romance can be forged online; 17 percent of them say they have entered long-term relationships or married someone they met through the services.” A dating website is not a single destination. The Internet behavior of a single person in search of a romantic partner is similar to a person interested in any subject, service, or product. Three out of four dating singles have done at least one of these items: use dating website, research prospective dates, browse information about the local singles scene, flirting via email or instant messaging.
The Web has revolutionized this business and has brought affordable and convenient matchmaking into the mainstream. Jupiter Research reports that online dating subscription revenues reached $516 million. The entire business category is a now a $1 billion business in the U.S. Online dating services experienced soaring in popularity 2001-2004 and are now growing more slowly. Dating website revenues grew 4.5% last year in the U.S. as the market became cluttered with more than 850 dating sites.
The “cutting edge” that was once associated with dating and personals sites, has moved on to social networking sites. In spite of their apparent success, consumers express safety concerns with both dating and social networking sites because both require revealing personal information on the Internet. Another area of industry concern is lower satisfaction scores with their membership experience due to inaccurate profiles. Both issues are causing some singles to become slightly more selective in the sites they visit. Niche sites, focused on religion or ethnicity, are gaining popularity.
Online daters tend to be young and are likely to have jobs.
Online Dating Site Visitors |
|
|
AGE |
PERCENT |
|
18-29 |
18% |
|
30-49 |
11% |
|
50-64 |
6% |
|
65+ |
3% |
Source: Pew Internet, American Life Project
Income: An Ipsos-Reid study for Lavalife (an online dating service) captured a demographic picture of the dating site subscriber. They said 40 percent of dating site subscribers had an income of $50K or greater, and 29 percent had an income of $25-49K.