Match Group

The Plenty of fish blog just released some current traffic statistics for their dating site. It's good to see a snapshot of what the user base of Plenty of fish is. Marcus Frind released the statistics to highlight how his dating site has grown and to be more open on the number of members POF has.

The user statistics released are based on active daily registered users. This means that the user must be logged into POF.com to be considered part of the statistic group. I am assuming that the numbers given are an average but it doesn’t say what the timeline is for that. It probably is for last month (January) but I am only guessing that he would release the latest numbers available. The user statistics could very well be for last year, last quarter or some other time period.

Plenty of Fish’s largest market is the United States with 2 million active daily registered users. This is followed by the United Kingdom with 550,000 and then Canada with 450,000. POF estimates that if you take the roughly 1400 dating site (non-adult) found in the United States and combine their paying members you will come out with 2.5 million subscribers. Combining these numbers together sounds like a lot of people and it is, but online dating has a lot of room to grow. The population of the United States sits at about 313 million with about 100 million people actually single. This shows that about 1/3 of the population is single. The United Kingdom has a population of about 63 million and Canada is close to 35 million. If we assume that the proportions of singles in these countries are about the same as the US then there are about 21 million single people in the UK and about 12 million in Canada.

In the US I figure that there are about 5.5 million people actively using a dating site every day. I came up with this number by adding Plenty of Fish’s 2 million active users with 2.5 million US paid subscribers, and then adding in an extra million singles for all of the other free dating sites that people use. This means only 5.5 percent of all singles in the United States are actively using an online dating site. Since about 78% of the US has internet access (according to Wikipedia) then this percentage only slightly improves to about 7 percent. The potential for growth in the online dating industry is still huge when your untapped market sits at over 90 percent.

I also found a few other related statistics. Plenty of Fish currently reports (from July 2012) that they have had 45 million members register since launch in 2003. Their current rate of growth is 40,000 new members signing up every day which works out to about 30 percent a year. Members of POF send out 20 million messages a day generating 7 million conversations. Currently the average age on POF is 35. In 2009 the average member was 40 years old.

To find out more about this dating site you should read our Plenty of fish review.

Recipient of Gold
Match.com

Recipient of Silver
eHarmony

Recipient of Bronze
Zoosk

The 2012 Dating Sites Reviews Single's Choice Award poll was closed on January 1st, 2012. It ran for 3 months and received just over 650 votes. The first question of this poll asked which paid dating site would you recommend for our Single’s Choice Award. This post takes a look at the results. In our opinion this award is our most important award and this is why it is the last one we give out. This award is voted on by our visitors which collectively spend much more time on dating sites and run into many more situations than we do. We deal with online dating sites everyday here at DSR but our visitors experiences make them the true experts.

For 2012 we listed the top online dating sites for you to vote on. There was eight in the list in which three will receive an award, Gold for first, Silver for second and Bronze for the third most votes.

The recipient of the Gold 2012 Single's Choice Award is Match.com. They received 30.5 percent of the vote which works out to 199 votes. 5 of the dating sites received under 10 percent of the vote which shows Match.com has a huge lead in popularity. Match.com also received our Editor's Top Pick - Overall award earlier this year.

The recipient of the Silver 2012 Single's Choice Award is eHarmony. This matchmaking site received 23 percent of the vote which is a half percent more than last year. eHarmony also received an award for Editor's Top Pick - Match System which is no surprise. This is eHarmony’s 5th year in a row winning this award.

The recipient of the Bronze 2012 Single's Choice Award is Zoosk. Zoosk has been around since 2007 and has won this award once before in 2010. This year Zoosk received 78 votes which is 12 percent of the total vote.

Here are this year's standings for the Single's Choice award for all dating sites in the poll.

1. Match.com
2. eHarmony
3. Zoosk
4. Chemistry
5. Lavalife
6. Badoo
7. PerfectMatch.com
8. Date.com

We here at Dating Sites Reviews (DSR) would like to thank everyone who voted for the 2012 Single's Choice Award. The results of the poll help our visitors in 2013 to figure out which service is best for them. It also helps us tailor the needs of our users and better report on the sites and services that interest them.

Chemistry.com is having a free weekend starting today and it will run for 72 hours. This means Friday February 1st, and all day Saturday, and Sunday February 3rd new and existing members of Chemistry will be able to us all the features of the dating site at no cost and with no credit card required.

When you register during this promotion you will be able to create a profile and complete the personality test. When you are finished you will then receive your quality matches. There is no searching on Chemistry as their matching algorithm takes care of this process by matching you with the best candidates for long-term relationships. With your matches you will be able to view their complete profile and photos along with communicating with them by using email and chemistry starters.

There last free weekend happened in October of 2012. To find out more on this dating service please read our Chemistry.com review.

Recipient
PlentyOfFish.com

The 2012 Dating Sites Reviews Single's Choice Award poll launched in the afternoon of October 1st, 2012. In 2 months we had over 300 votes and by the new year when the poll closed January 1st, 2013 we had 652 votes cast. This poll on the best free dating site is important as it is voted on by you, our visitors. The is because our visitors are also the members that make up these dating sites and you and your experiences are ultimately what makes a dating site successful.

For this survey we included 8 of the top free dating sites. A dating site is considered free when a member can create a profile, search for matches, and communicate with all members via mail for no cost and with no credit card required. A free dating can offer an upgraded membership that can include other perks but it must keep the core dating site experience free.

The 2012 Single's Choice Award for a Free Dating Site goes to Plenty Of Fish (POF). This is the fourth straight year that POF has won this award. This year they received 30 percent of the vote which is 197 of the votes. POF seems to have experience a bit of a drop in popularity since last year when they had 39 percent of the vote.

Here are the final results of the poll:

1. Plenty Of Fish (POF)
2. OkCupid
3. DateHookUp.com
4. Meetup
5. Craigslist
6. BookOfMatches
7. Mingle 2
8. Matchdoctor.com

OkCupid came in second place again this year. This was the closest race we ever had for the top spot. OkCupid had almost 27 percent of the vote which is just 3 percent off of POF. As a comparison the difference in 2011 between these two dating sites was 15 percent of the vote. Third place went to DateHookup which was just 3.5 percent off of second place, again very close. In 2011 DateHookup ranked fourth and was over 14 percent off of second place. All of the other dating sites in the poll scored under 10 percent of the vote. There is quite a large difference this year between the top 3 dating sites and the rest.

Read our review of PlentyOfFish.com for more information about this online dating service or visit Plenty of Fish directly.

Recipient
OkCupid

The recipient of the Editor's 2012 Top Pick - Free Award goes to OkCupid. This service has always been geared towards singles finding long-term relationships. This is in part due to the fact that it has always promoted it’s matching system, the mathematicians behind it and their member tests. The tests are created by members to help in the match process and can be about almost anything.

While this service is not the biggest free dating site, its members argue that it produces the best matches. The reason for this is the match questions and member tests. Most questions have 4 parts:

• The question
• The answer (multiple choice)
• The question’s importance to you
• An explanation of what the question means

No question is required for OkCupid to produce matches but the more you answer truthfully the greater chance you will meet someone special by searching for members with a higher average match score. Questions can be marked private and you can change answers when needed. When viewing someone’s profile you can also compare your answers with their public answers. Profiles also let you know roughly how often the person replies to a message. This is useful to let you know what chance you have of receiving a reply back to a message you send.

OkCupid qualifies as a free dating site but it does have a paid upgrade option. The free membership allows you to create a profile, search and communicate with members. The monthly paid upgrade gives you additional search abilities, more privacy options and marks your profile as an A-List user. The paid upgrade also removes all advertisements and allows you access to rating pages and to see who likes you.

Read our review of OkCupid for more information about this online dating service or visit OkCupid directly.

This Year's Runner Up for this award is: Plenty of fish

Here's something I bet you haven't thought about before: your Fish Personality.

Are you an Angelfish? A Dolphin? A Lobster? A Whale? If you had to sum up your dating life using a sea creature, which one would you choose?

Sure, it's a silly question, but it's the question Plenty of Fish asks all its users. It's up to you to decide which water dweller best describes your dating habits. You have a choice of 30, and if that task doesn't already sound challenging enough, here's the only guidance POF gives you: "There is no specific meaning to the fish types - they're just for fun, so pick the one that you think best describes you!"

Not very helpful, POF! SO let's put our heads together and brainstorm...what does a Fish Personality say about you or your date?

1. No Personality: If you describe yourself as "No Personality," you clearly need to go back to Online Dating 101. I don't need to tell you why it's not a good idea.


2. Angelfish: The name speaks for itself, here. This one's for the good boys and girls of online dating who think a halo belongs in their profile pictures. Just make sure you don't go so far you're in obnoxious good-two-shoes territory.


3. Barnacle: Can you say clingy? A barnacle attaches itself to something for life, never moving and never leaving its shell. A Barnacle dater could easily become too dependent and afraid to take risks or strike out on his or her own.


4. Barracuda: These guys are known for their large size, fearsome appearance, and opportunistic predatory style. Barracudas are the pickup artists of the dating world, prepared to use well-practiced tactics to snap up their targets.


5. Big Mouth Bass: Remember Big Mouth Billy Bass? It may be the most annoying toy ever made, yet no redneck's house would be complete without one. If you're into that Southern, good ol' boy charm, look out for a Big Mouth Bass.


6. BlowFish: If the name is anything to go by, I suspect the BlowFish is only looking for one thing. If low-key hookups and adult dating are your game, the BlowFish is definitely your best bet. Just be careful...they can be poisonous if not handled correctly.


7. Bottom Dweller: You'll find these fish in the deepest depths of the ocean, living amongst mud, sand, gravel, and rocks, and feeding on whatever sinks to the bottom. On POF, the Bottom Dwellers are online dating's worst nightmare: the ones who still live in their parents' basements.


8. Catfish: By now you've definitely heard of Catfish, the 2010 documentary film and current MTV show. The Catfish are scammers, online con artists who are masters of appearing to be someone they're not.


9. Clam: The clam appears twice in popular culture: first as "Clam up" and second as "Happy as a clam." If you're a Clam of the first type, you're not likely to be communicative or openly emotional in a relationship. If you're the second, you're a "Glass half full" kind of person who always looks on the bright side of life.


10. Clownfish: Everybody wants to date someone who can make them laugh, so it's good to be a Clownfish. Clownfish have a unique ability to enter tricky situations - like life in a stinging anemone - and come out unscathed. Besides, who doesn't think Finding Nemo was adorable?


11. Crab: A Crab may be tough to get to know at first, but the payoff is worth it in the end. Breaking your way through that thick exoskeleton can take time, but once you've peeled back the layers, you'll find that the Crab is soft and sweet inside.


12. Damselfish: If you're the knight in shining armor type, the Damselfish is your perfect match. They're frequently kept as pets, so if you're looking to spoil your dates and give them a taste of what it's like to be totally taken care of, a Damselfish would love to meet you.


13. Dolphin: Dolphins are some of the smartest creatures around, but it's not just about their brains. They're also friendly, playful, and social animals who are always up for a good time. In other words, a Dolphin is the complete package.


14. Eel: Eels are primarily nocturnal creatures, and many live together in holes called "eel pits." Sounds a bit scandalous to me. Dating an Eel means taking a walk on the wild side, and enjoying all the fun those early morning hours have to offer.


15. Hammerhead: Unlike most sharks, who are typically solitary creatures, the hammerhead is known to form schools during the day - sometimes in groups of over 100! The Hammerhead knows how to play both sides well: social when he needs to be, and aloof when he needs to retain a little bit of mystery.


16. Jellyfish: The Jellyfish are the cougars of the dating world. There's something irresistibly captivating about them. Perhaps it's their beauty, or the fluidity of their movement. Or maybe it's their age and experience: they've roamed the seas for at least 500 million years.


17. Lobster: Everybody wants a piece of these guys. They're one of the most highly sought-after commodities in the food world, and they're equally highly prized in the dating world. You're lucky if you get your hands on one, so hold on tight!


18. Octopus: The Octopus is a real catch. They're athletic, highly intelligent, and good at adapting to whatever environment they find themselves in. They also have three hearts, so expect a lot of romance if you're dating an Octopus.


19. Piranha: The world's most famous marine maneater needs no introduction. The Piranha is likely to hop from date to date to date, constantly searching for something (or someone) to satisfy their voracious appetite.


20. Sea Horse: The Sea horse makes for a kind, steady partner in a long-term relationship. Expect a long and romantic courtship process, commitment to monogamy, and strong parenting skills.


21. Sea Urchin: They may look a little scary on the outside, but don't judge a book by its cover. Once you take the time to get to know a Sea Urchin, you'll find there's so much more beneath that sharp, tough exterior.


22. Shark: Assertive, motivated, dangerous, sexy...those are just a few of the words that come to mind. Dating a Shark is guaranteed to be an intense, sweep-you-off-your-feet kind of experience. A Shark knows what he/she wants and isn't afraid to go after it, whatever the cost.


23. Shrimp: The shrimp is a jack of all trades. The many variations look completely different, communicate differently, and perform different functions. Dating a Shrimp means never getting bored - the Shrimp can be anything and everything you want them to be (and may like to play dress-up in the bedroom).


24. Starfish: A Starfish is the "All eyes on me" kind of date. If you're looking for a little bit of candy to carry around on your arm, try a colorful, eye-catching Starfish. A star loves the spotlight, so this is a good choice if you're looking for an envy-inducing trophy spouse.


25. Sucker Fish: Beware of dating a Sucker Fish. In the wild, sucker fish attach themselves to larger marine animals and use their hosts, who get nothing in return, for food and transportation. Can you say "gold digger?"


26. Sunfish: The sunfish is, to describe it in one word, impressive. It's the largest bony fish in the world (the average adult weight is 2,200 lb!). It feeds on jellyfish. Females can produce more eggs than any other known vertebrate. A Sunfish will never accept second best and will do anything to stay at the top of their game.


27. Swordfish: The swordfish is a bit of a loner (it's rare that you'll find them with other swordfish, and even then it's only a loose aggregation and never a tight school). Swordfish may seem like solitary creatures at first, but don't write them off as bad dates. The swordfish also has almost no enemies, making a Swordfish date extremely popular and likeable once you actually get to know them.


28. Tuna: You can't go wrong dating a Tuna. They may not be the flashiest, most exciting dates, but they are steady, caring partners that will always be attentive to the relationship and make sure your needs are met.


29. Turtle: Is there anyone who doesn't love a turtle? They're so cute you just want to squeeze them! A Turtle may be a little shy at first, but they'll make a great date once you coax them out of their shell. Just be patient with them.


30. Whale: Whales are some of the most intelligent, social creatures in the sea. A Whale makes for a smart, friendly date with good communication skills (and as a bonus, they'll also be a great parent one day). Who doesn't want their dating life to be a whale of a good time?

All that and still no mermaid option?? I'm so disappointed!

For more information on this dating site you can read our updated Plenty of Fish review.