Online Dating Goes to Facebook: Are You Missing a Chance for Happiness?

Facebook released a study of its members this past week, compiling data from user status updates to come to some pretty interesting conclusions. And if you're wondering, no - Facebook doesn't sit there and read your status updates. Rather, they query the words used and apply them to a program that figures in the US Gross National Happiness Index. A "happiness index?" Makes me feel like The Weather Channel app on my iPhone isn't giving me all the sunny information!

While some Facebook users choose to not disclose their relationship status, of those that do, 30% of women and 40% of men are listed as "single." This means that whether you realize it or not, your next match might be waiting for you on Facebook! And just think - it's only a year until the next Valentine's Day. You could be in a match made in heaven by then.

The Facebook data reaffirms what people have known all along: those in committed relationships are happier than those who are single. But what about relationships versus marriage? Well, the news is in: those who are married are apparently happier than those just in relationships, says Facebook. Even more interesting are those on Facebook who respond that they are in an "open relationship." While that may seen like a heyday on the surface, the data report reveals that those in open relationships aren't really all that happy at all. Men in these types of relationships are less happy than their female counterparts with the same designation. Perhaps that's a case of "be careful what you ask for."

If you've never considered Facebook as an online dating source, why not tap-into the information that Facebook has published and maybe take a look at Zoosk. This Facebook application allows users to interact with singles on other social networks like MySpace, Hi5, Zoosk.com and more. With over 7 million users, you could do worse in expanding your online dating reach no? Search and socialize - who knows who's out there waiting for you with a status message that "clicks!"

For more information on the statistics in this article, check out the Facebook Data Team's note on Relationships and Happiness.