Contributed by: kellyseal on Friday, May 18 2012 @ 10:54 am
Last modified on
It's an interesting turn of events when one of the largest most well-known online dating sites decides to create a more "real-life" experience for singles to connect.
Match.com plans to offer a new service called "The Stir" which will host 3,000 singles events over 40 different countries so their members can get to know each other face-to-face first, without all the back and forth emails and profile searches. But they're not just announcing events for people who live in the same area, they are matching members using their traditional algorithms to make the perfect singles mixer for their members' preferences, mostly based on ages and interests. So, not every member will be able to attend any event they want. They will have to be selected.
The events will be centered around specific interests and activities, like rock climbing, cooking classes, tequila tastings, or bowling nights, depending on your hobbies or what you typically like to do for fun (according to your profile of course).
Match.com claims the parties address some of the 'fundamental pitfalls of a typical night out for single people' - like meeting people you don't get along with. It also takes the pressure off the first face-to-face coffee date. Some members are reluctant to put a lot of time and energy into online dating, and have a hard time getting past the communication to have the first meeting. By getting members in a room together, the likelihood of two people connecting increases.
Match.com also plans to make two types of event offerings: more casual meet-ups at bars will be free, whereas more involved events like rock climbing will have a cost attached.
It's interesting that other online dating services which offer offline meet-ups like HowAboutWe are influencing online dating. Match.com's goal seems to be figuring out new ways to get people together, along with ways to attract new members who might still be weary of trying online dating. The Stir is a way to overcome that hurdle - by offering the traditional appeal of meeting face-to-face in an informal setting instead of the sometimes elusive process of online dating: looking through profiles, emailing, and setting up a much-anticipated coffee date.
This move will likely boost Match.com's mobile app, too. For the 60 pilot events they hosted, they offered members promotions for those who checked in online, and plan to offer these in future gatherings. There's nothing like incentives to encourage people to attend.
For more information on this popular dating site, you can read our recently updated Match.com review.