The year was 1995. Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong, two entrepreneurs, launched the first ever online dating service, Match.com. In these early days of Internet technology, subscribing singles could join, upload a simple “profile” with a photo or two, and would be placed in a database of other singles, to be matched by common keywords. They could then “flirt,” and send messages to each other to see if there was a “connection” that warranted some real life dating.
No one could have known what a “monster” would be created. But here we are today, with a multi-billion dollar industry, over 8,000 online dating sites all over the planet, and the way in which singles begin their dating journey. What’s more, sophisticated technology has transformed the way in which people are matched – it’s all quite scientific now with legacy algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
The technology is not what interests the average user of online dating services. What interests them is who is out there that they might meet to satisfy their dating and romantic goals.
Just what are the benefits that draw millions of singles to these online dating sites and apps. Actually, there are many.
Efficiency
Efficiency is not a term we normally associate with dating. But today’s consumer is not a patient person. In short, they want the Internet to provide for all of their wants and needs, whether that is a new pair of shoes or a date. In short, they don’t have to live with the old method of dating – relying on friends to set them up or meeting someone at a social event. Using an online service means someone else does the work for them.
Cost and Time Effective
Dating in real life (IRL) takes time, energy, and money. Singles often talk about the fact that they meet someone, begin to date, spend money on outfits, take the time to plan dates, only to discover that the person is just not for them. Time, money, and energy wasted. And the dating ritual must begin all over again.
Lots of Options
There are huge generalized dating services with millions of users from all over the world – sites like Match and eHarmony. Most have “categories” that users can tap into for a more specialized experience.
There are also niche dating sites – for seniors, for specific religious or ethnic demographics, for farmers, for “elites” with higher education backgrounds, for geeks, and even for those who are in uniform of some type – military, police, etc, and for the LGBTQ population.
Wider Playing Field
One of the big draws of online dating sites and apps is the fact that singles will meet and connect with people they never would have met otherwise. They might easily meet a foreigner in a place they are planning to visit or move to in the near future, or simply to establish a friendship based on a “cultural exchange.”
All dating sites now have geolocation features, so that users can choose a physical radius within which they would like their matches to reside. Still, they are matched with people they would never have found otherwise.
24/7 Access From Anywhere
People are busy and on the go.They have various schedules of work and leisure. A huge benefit of dating sites is that they are open 24/7, and people with mobile devices can check in at any time – during their commute, their lunch hour, while at the gym, or even shopping or dining in a restaurant.
Best of all? They can check in from the comfort of their home in their sweats or PJs and even message and chat without the person at the other end being able to see them.
Privacy and Confidentiality
This has been an issue and a concern for those who join online dating sites. There are “bad actors” out there who join with the intention of bullying, harassing, and, yes, scamming unsuspecting users who reveal their personal information without caution.
Today, all online dating services have identity verification procedures and fully protect user personal information with encryption and sophisticated firewall technology. Sites also have guidelines for users so that they may protect themselves and report any violations of the rules of conduct. While not perfect, dating services have come a long way in weeding out those whose purposes are not forthright.