I'm not the sharpest or hottest tool in the shed but I've heard that to some people especially women they care how long a prospect has been on the site. Why is that and is it common? I've was on 1 site for a while but I also didn't have a lot of time so I wouldn't always be active also just because someone has been on for a while doesn't mean their horrible people or lieing or not being sincere. They might not have time to be real active or the prospects or actually dates they do have might not have been good. Some people don't remove theirs until they know or think that someone is maybe the one. Sorry it's been a long time since I worried about anything like this I'm a bit lost I think lol. Later

The thinking is that the longer someone has been on the site the more picky they are. Alot of people are so gun shy that if they find even the smallest little thing they don't like that becomes the excuse to exclude you and never call you again. It of course varies from person to person. Of course freetime available for socializing and meeting people play an important role. Someone who has been on the site a long time may travel alot so it takes longer to meet someone they want to see again.

I suggest getting to know the person first and then making a judgement on it second. Use you own intuition but it shouldn't be a deciding factor.

As for your potential S.O., if they exclude you because you've been on a site too long then chances they are just looking for excuses and it probably would not be a good relationship anyway.

I've wondered this too. I am no longer a member of certain sites, but I do go back and look to see new profiles. However, I notice a lot of the women that were on when I was, are still looking.
I figure that maybe I should write them (re-activating my profile), and see if they are desperate enough to go out with me!! Hahaha.
Seriously though, you have to wonder why people are on there for so long. I have heard some women just want to see how many hits they get. Ego thing? I guess what I am trying to say is: Instead of sitting at the computer for hours waiting for the "perfect one" to write you, why not go out for a couple of hours and get to know somone? Or at least write back and see if they are someone that might interest you.
Not everyone is great at "opening lines". But once they get comfortable with you, you find out more about them and yourself.

Well I go to school full time and work graveyard fulltime so time is something I have little time so I was just wondering. It's also why at least in part I long ago tried the online dating thing. I was just curious if since some sites show how long I've been on if and/or how many hits I get if I am making myself look even worse. I must say also that I usually don't have time even once a week even twice a month to check. Also I've out grown and never was a bar or club kind of guy and it has been a little time since I tried meeting someone with the intent to date them and I'm a bit shy not to mention a wreck from my last relationship who was stolen by a so called friend while my other friends let it happen because they were pissed that she was more important to me then them. Anyways needless to say their all gone now I booted them like first period french but admit the even after a break from dating the idea of trust or dating again is intimidating. Also I'm not necassarily looking for the one just someone to hang out with. Thanks though for all the comments.

like your closing statement I can be gun shy especially when it comes to emails or writing but once someone gives me a chance I usually win them over it's getting them especially since the ex and online getting someone to give me that chance. I tend to write cheesy stupid things like not or forget something only to think of it later or stupid stuff like forget to include a link to my profile lol. OH well you make a good point someone like me feels like the prince in Cinderella trying to find and talk people into trying on the stupid glass slipper. I'm not asking them or expecting love at first site or to marry right away lol just someone willing to try the slipper. See I did it again cheesy stuff no wonder I'm a jacka$$ . Hope you all laugh as hard as I am right now hehehehe.

BP...
I met this woman on one of the dating sites. Her picture didn't do anything for me personally, and she was originally from New York, and Jewish.
So, in my opinion, she had 3 strikes against her. But, she is the one who sent me the first email. I answer all emails (unless they are out of country). Anyway, not that I have anything against Jewish people, personally, don't know any, but I figure she'd be heavily into religion (which I am not). And her being from NY, tends to be outspoken. Well, we emailed each other and chatted online for a couple of weeks or so, and decided to meet.
She looked better in person, and she was outspoken, but religion was never a factor. She will discuss it if I ask her about Judiasm. Don't know where our future lies, but we enjoy each others company, and she is extremely nice.

What I am getting at is this: Even though her picture didn't WOW me, I decided to meet with her anyway... why not? What did I have to lose? A couple of hours sitting by myself or a couple of hours meeting someone that I may or may not like.

No, she doesn't give me butterflies in my belly, but she is fun to be with.