Why Senior Dating Is More Popular Than Ever

Senior dating might be the hottest thing in online dating right now. Every week I see another study or article proclaiming that senior dating is in, and mature singles are becoming the most rapidly growing segment of the online dating market.

Now AARP has produced an online dating survey, which I think confirms it: senior dating is officially a massive phenomenon. AARP spoke to 1,000 adults who are single, aged over 50, and currently dating or interested in dating to understand exactly what role the Internet plays in their love lives.

They found that the top 3 reasons people over 50 try an online dating site are:

• They are able to meet a wider range of people
• There is not pressure to reply or talk to people they aren't interested in
• A friend recommended it

Gender was a factor in many people's choice to give online dating a shot:

• Women are more likely to try it based on a friend's suggestion
• Men, on the other hand, are more likely to turn to online dating because they feel they "don't have time to go out and meet people the traditional way"
• Men are also more likely to try it just because they think it sounds fun

Looking at it by age, AARP found this:

• Those age 50-59 tend to feel that they don't have time to meet people offline
• Singles in that age group also don't like feeling pressured to reply when they don't want to
• Slightly older singles, age 60-69, tend to try online dating based on a recommendation from a friend

AARP also found differences based on location, income, education, and employment. Singles in the West are more interested than singles in other locations in the broader range of potential dates online dating offers. Wealthy singles turn to online dating sites for the same reason, as well as because they don't feel they have time to date in person. Singles on the other end of the income spectrum try it because there's no pressure to respond.

Where education is concerned, AARP found that significantly more of those with high school diplomas or some college education give online dating a go because of the lack of pressure to respond. Those who attended college or graduate school like that online dating exposes them to a wider variety of people.

Results based on employment reveal similar trends:

• Those retired tend to try because there is no pressure to reply
• Those employed try because of the broader range of people and because they don't have time to meet people in more traditional ways

To find a list of popular dating site for single 50 and over you can check out our Senior Dating category.