About Internet Dating

• Some sites expect members to sign up "blind," meaning that users have no preview of the profiles they will get to see. eHarmony is one example of this kind of site. On other services, some profiles are not actually real people, but "bait" that has been placed there by the site owners to attract new paying members. Both Yahoo Personals and Match.com have received several complaints of using this tactic. Some users spam sites with "fake" profiles that are in reality advertisements to other services, such as prostitution or [multi-level marketing]. A majority of dating sites keep profiles online for months or even years since the last time the person has logged in, thereby making it seem as though they have more available members than they actually do. Many sites offer the option to sort search results based on activity, however.

• Most members are enticed to join dating websites with free or low-priced "trial" memberships advertised on many other websites. These trial memberships lack many of the features of the full membership, including the ability to contact other members or reply to e-mail from other members. On sites which require credit card information to join at all, these trial memberships may automatically become full memberships at the end of the trial period and charge the full monthly fee, without any additional action from the member, regardless of whether the member has actually used the services or not. For paying members, it is often unclear whether a potential contact has a full subscription and whether he or she will be able to reply at all. There are still, however, a few established free dating sites that allow users to reply to messages, [PlentyofFish] being the largest. Niche sites cater to people with special interests (e.g. sports fans, nerds), professions, political preferences, conditions (e.g. HIV+, obese), religions (e.g. Jewish), or even logistics (e.g. rural farm communities such as [FarmersOnly.com]).

• Some members have expressed complaints about the billing practices of certain dating sites. In some cases, trial memberships that were canceled within the trial period were automatically re-billed even after canceling. To avoid these potential problems, some users have advised using a virtual credit card number which is offered by several credit card companies.

• Even when members' profiles are "real", there is still an inherent lack of trust with other members. Many members misrepresent themselves by telling flattering 'white lies' about their height, weight, age, or by using old and misleading photos. Members can, of course, ask for an up-to-date photograph before meeting others. [Matrimonials Sites] are a variant of online dating sites, and these are geared towards meeting people for the purpose of getting married. Gross misrepresentation is less likely on these sites than on 'casual dating' sites. Casual dating sites are often geared more towards short term (and implicitly sexual) relationships.

• [Online predator]s find online dating sites especially attractive, because such sites give them an unending supply of new targets of opportunity for [Internet fraud]. A recent study, led by Dr. Paige Padgett from the University of Texas Health Science Center, found that there was a false degree of safety assumed by women looking for love on the internet, exposing them to stalking, fraud, and sexual violence.http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/MagArticle.cfm?Article=748 Look Who’s Googling: New acquaintances and secret admirers may already know all about you Some online dating sites conduct background checks on their members in an attempt to avoid problems of this nature.
• [Unbalanced sex ratio] in general, the total number of males seeking females on any given dating site are many times more than the number of females seeking males, creating an unbalanced sex ratio.

• Disreputable sites such as [Quechup] may harvest users' personal information and contacts for use in [e-mail spam]. Social network launches worldwide spam campaign E-consultancy.com, Accessed 10 September 2007

• [You've Got Mail], a 1998 film in which the two protagonists conduct a relationship entirely over email before meeting each other.
• [Napoleon Dynamite], a 2003 film in a which one subplot involves a central character's online (and later physical) relationship.
• [Euro Trip], a 2004 film in which the central character has a relationship wholly via email with a girl from Berlin
• [Must Love Dogs], a 2005 film about two people trying to find love through online dating.
• [Another Gay Movie], a 2006 film where a student finds his high school English teacher online.
• "[Because I Said So]", a 2007 film in which a mother creates a online dating profile for her daughter.
• [Jewtopia], a play which revolves around Jewish dating service, [JDate].

• [Dating Coach]
• [Internet fraud]
• [IRC]
• [Matrimonials Sites]
• [Mobile dating]
• [Online predator]
• [Romance scam]
• [Yahoo! Personals]
• [My Best Date Site]

• Flass, Rebecca, Bloom off the rose: online dating services struggle to keep market share, Los Angeles Business Journal, Dec. 13, 2004.
• Griscom, Rufus: Why are Online Personals So Hot?: Maybe it’s the lingerie models trolling for dates, Wired, Nov. 2002.
• Orr, Andrea, Meeting, Mating, and Cheating: Sex, Love, and the New World of Online Dating ISBN 0-13-141808-4.
• Sullivan, Bob: Online daters sue matchmaking sites for fraud, MSNBC, Nov 18, 2005.
• Boyd, Brian, No Need to Whisper, Dating online is OK, SouthCoastToday.com, September 16, 2007.

• Love on the web BBC Money Programme. 2 February 2006
• BBC Relationship BBC Online relationships guide
• No Need to Whisper, online Dating in OK SouthCoastToday.com. 16 September 2007

Internet dating

Questions and Answers

Internet Dating?

Q) Has anyone got any experience of Internet Dating, like a match.com site? Positive or negative. I have a busy life and rarely get to meet men in the conventional ways (bars, clubs etc).... and I was wondering whether I should join one of these sites.... but I'm a little afraid that these places are just 'knocking shops'

A) leave it well alone Queenie..meet a guy the convential way by intro or at a convention of some sort! thats how it was always done in the uk before the net

Internet dating?

Q) Do you think that (generally speaking) people with lower self esteem and self confidence use internet dating sites more?

A) Internet dating is not for freaks and geeks anymore. The use of the Internet is so wide spread that people are probably staying in more because they don't have to get out to socialize as much.....hence a wider variety of people turning to the Internet dating.

Internet dating?

Q) Hands up boys n girls who use a dating site like Yahoo Personals. Do you pay up? Or do you ogle? And what do you think of the others who are advertising themselves? I'll add my opinion if we reach 25 answers...

A) I use it - i love Russian girls, they are difficult to find in UK.

internet dating?

Q) met man on the internet the end of january in the uk and i am from united states. we have talked everyday on the phone since sometimes up to maybe 6 hours a day most days about 3 hours. have spent time on the computer with the cam, so we have seen each other and have sent emails to each other. have exchanged pictures and so forth. we both feel we love each other and have shared things most people never know about each other, just wondering what your thoughts would be if asked you advice.

A) well, online dating hasn't really work for me. so i hope you can understand my hatred as i hear it has worked for YOU =P you two definitely sound like you should at least give it a shot. your first couple of face-to-face meetings should in public places, though. and wear a necklace! or something around the neck! dark glasses are a good idea too. don't dress TOO colorful. hope that helps!

internet dating?

Q) i met my new girlfriend, who recently moved in with me on the internet. what 's your opinion?

A) Superb , i have done the same and we are very happy indeed, we gt to know eachother on a diff level and a more personal one. i think its great good for you.

Internet dating . . .?

Q) I have never dated anyone I have met of the net. I would like to hear your views and stories of anyone who has dated online the good aswell as the outright horrific . . . I would appreciate your views to help me decide whether this is something I should try out . . . thanks

A) A nephew of mine is now married to his 'internet connection'! He from Chichester, Sussex, England, She from Ohio, and they live in New York! (And they're such odd-balls, they wouldn't have found anyone locally!!)

Internet dating..........???

Q) Do you think it's possible to fall in love with someone online even though you've never actually met them??

A) Quite possibly. Although looks pay a big part in attraction, like mindedness is also a big factor. Getting to know someone by their points of view etc can be the starting point for love, after all beauty is only skin deep.

internet dating?

Q) what do people think of it and can i work.i split with my husband 6mths ago and out of bordom i started chatting on a chat room.i got talking to a guy form canada and he has developed feelings for me and is coming over in aug to see me and has said he has bought me a ring.i have developed feelings for him also but would a relationship like that work.he said he would move over here to be with me.....i need some good advise as in is this a good relationship to continue when he gets here :(

A) I met my fiancé online

Internet dating?

Q) Why is it that men have no respect for the women they call 'slags' yet they seem to have no respect for the women that dont sleep around either? How does that work? As far as internet dating goes, most men online just want sex. They make out they are looking for a relationship because they dont want to have sex with the women who have sex with everyone, they want the nice ones that dont have sex with everyone NO RESPECT. Im not calling anyone names, men & women sleep around, each to their own....im just not one of those people! Thank you so far for the people that are restoring my faith !

A) I have respect for anyone, male or female, who doesn't think they need to have had sex with lots of people to be "cool".

Can internet dating EVER work???

Q) Hello everyone, I have been single since March and for the past few months I have tried to meet that someone special through internet dating. I have not had much luck so far and am about to give up entirely! Most of the guys I have met have either; a) wanted weird sex b) wanted only sex and have been cyber-dating numerous partners c) have been socially inappropropriate and/or d) have clearly lied about who they are! Where am I going wrong here? Has anyone out there had success and found love (or anything remotely genuine and meaningful) through internet dating???

A) it does not work every time but u can try my friend |trex_cu_88@yahoo.com| if u r female

Internet Dating?

Q) So, Im 21 yrs old and Ive took that step and im trying Internet Dating. I meet this guy a few days ago and we've been talking. He seems nice ...but Im not sure about the whole internet dating idea. It still creeps me out ! The only bad thing that I have seen so far is his age. ie. He is 33 yrs old... How should I approach this whole internet dating ...Please someone help!

A) Visit this site - http://surl.in/HLMAT261252BMRMTGQ

Internet dating?

Q) Well I saw this girl's profile on a Online dating site, it matches exactly what I wanted for a girlfriend, and she's seeking long term as well. So I emailed her, and got an email back the next day. We exchanged couple of emails and she added me on MSN. We had a first time brief chat on MSN today for about 15 minutes, but things were pretty quiet. Although she said she's very impressed by some of my qualities and we share lots of hobbies, and thinks I am unique and would like to chat to me more cause she had to leave today. I went back to her online profile, and her status changed from looking for long relationship to just internet chat/email. Also realized she had another 20 people added her to their favorite list. I'm not sure where this is going. As I am sitting my exams at the moment, I wouldn't have time to date and stuff, it will have to wait a couple of weeks after finals are over. What's likely going to happen from here? I never internet dated before. What do I do now?

A) Internet dating is a great thing if used wisely. I ended up having a great year dating men from all walks of life. It was an exciting year, but a very eye opening one as well. So many men were just liars. I meet so many great guys that just weren't the right match, but we stayed friends and still chat to this day. I ended up meeting a wonderful man that lived only 10 minutes from me but we would have never met because we were in different circles. So just remember be careful, don't believe everything you hear, and just look at internet dating as a fun option to your social life. good luck

Internet dating!??

Q) My friends sister wants to date me over the internet..and I don't understand the sense in internet dating...what should I say?...I don't want to hurt anyones feelings or get my friend mad at me ...

A) Dating over the internet? Does that mean cyber sex? Does that lead to cyber marriage? Tell her what you're looking for, something real that happens in real life. You're just not into virtual reality.

internet dating?

Q) can you tell me tha pro's and con's of internet dating.can you respect some one you found on a dating site?

A) Pros: -I think genuinely good people go through internet dating. In my opinion, I think it is a good alternative to meeting someone if you not up for meeting a future "significant other" at a bar while being hit on while everyone around you is drunk =) -My BFF met a guy through internet dating and they dated for a good three years and are still really good friends -It can be a good oppurtunity to meet some different and interesting people than you are used to Cons: -Not everyone tells the truth about themselves...it's easier to lie about ourselves when we have the safety of just typing a description of ourselves -in rare occasions, meeting someone through internet dating can be dangerous...a.k.a...someone with bad intentions I have to admit, I have never tried internet dating, but I think it is completely respectable. If you're not meeting Mr./Mrs. Right at school, through work, or out on the town, then I don't see a problem with searching for him or her throught the internet. Just make sure you are safe about it. When meeting them in person for the first time, meet in a very public place or have a group of your friends meet with a group of his friends for a more relaxed night out. Or Vise Versa. Go with your gut instinct. If you meet the person face to face and feel something isn't right, then you are probably right. Don't feel bad for ditching, you still got to keep your standards! I think it takes just as much courage to meet someone and start something online as it is to meet someone at a bar. Hope this helped at least a little!

Internet dating?

Q) Has anyone tried that internet dating? I did twice and both times my heart was broken. It is not what it adverstises. So tell me, how can I meet a man? It is so hard to now a days? Maybe I am trying too hard?

A) Just be yourself. Don't rush into things, talk to them man/men for some months before agreeing to anything. I met my husband online. We met in a chat room, not a dating sight. However, we took the time to really get to know each other before meeting and all that. He moved from Australia to be with me and we have been married for 10 years now!

Internet dating?

Q) Internet dating, is it safe? what are your views ?

A) It's probably safer than meeting someone in a bar. You get the chance to have long "chats" with them, talk to them about their interests, families, their history, preferences, etc. And when you do meet, it's usually for coffee with no real expectations aside from having coffee and maybe meeting a new friend. If it looks, at that point, like there's something there worth pursuing... then you can opt for that.

internet dating?

Q) how many people die from internet dating?

A) none

Internet dating?

Q) how is internet dating supposed to work exacly

A) If people were just a little more honest about what they write in their profiles and the pictures they upload on there look like them in person, I think it would work. Trying to find someone whose true essence you can feel from how they communicate over the internet is like finding a needle in a haystack. That is not saying you can't find the "one." You just have to be patient and be able to deal with a lot of the frustrations that go with internet dating.

Internet dating?

Q) What do u guys think of internet dating? If your not planning to see each other in person, that is.

A) internet dating is ok if u both agree upon it but me personally i would rather have a real relationship someone who i can be close too and spend real time with..depends on the person i guess.. if it starts out on the net its all good and ends up meeting then i would say that exceptable.. but if u never meet then its only a lie too begin with

Internet Dating?

Q) Has anyone ever tried internet dating just to see if i makes your ex mad. I did and he called last night and told me that his friend winked at me. I know it wasn't his friend because it was his nickname. Did i do the right thing to make him jealous?

A) Sara; My advice (though I know it is too late now to tell you this) is not to even try it if the only reason you are doing it is to make you EX jealous, because it may backfire on you. If you do make him mad, what have you achieved except cause more hurt feelings where there is probably already enough anger. If you don't make him, then it will drive you crazy wondering what his real feelings on the matter is (obviously this has happened). Please take this note from a recent divorced gentleman, trying to make someone jealous, especially after the fact, is just adding fuel to an already nasty fire. No one walks out feeling good in such a situation.