General News

eHarmony in the United States and Canada is offering free communication this holiday long weekend. For 5 days starting December 29^th, 2017 and running to the end of day on January 2^nd, 2018 new and existing members will be able to send messages to other members at no cost and with no credit card required.

The new year is always the start of the busy season for dating services. Compared to the fall most services see a spike in visitors of more than 30 percent in the winter months. In fact the first Sunday in January is usually the busiest day of the whole year. This makes this eHarmony free communication event that much more exciting as it falls during this period. There will be lots of singles for you to be matched with who are as equally excited to message with you.

It's simple to get started, all you need to do is visit the eHarmony website and sign up as a new member. Once complete you will need to fill in your profile and take the personality questionnaire. This takes about 30 minutes to complete (you can save it and come back later to finish if you wish) and is the heart of eHarmony's automatic matching system. After your profile is finished you will then receive your first batch of matches. From here you can read through your matches profiles and communicate with those you find interesting. The one thing not included during free communication events are profile photos. To view those you must become a paid member.

For more information about this popular matchmaking service (which is available through their website and on apps for Android and iOS) please read our eHarmony review.

Online dating is the most popular way to meet, thanks to dating apps like Tinder that made it fun to swipe right and easily match with a stranger. But the introduction of AI technology to the online dating industry could change how people interact yet again, which means that swiping might become a thing of the past.

It’s hard to believe when dating apps are so ubiquitous. But a recent article on NBCNews’ website delved into the potential of incorporating AI into the online dating experience, and how that might change dating culture.

We rely on technology and its advances; it has become a huge part of how we function and communicate, and will continue to evolve. As one researcher noted, twenty years ago, who would have thought services like Uber and Lyft could exist, where people virtually asked strangers to give them rides?

Following similar moves by OkCupid and Tinder, Grindr has unveiled new options for users who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. Options for gender now include "cis man," "trans man," "non-binary," "non-conforming," "queer," and "crossdresser." Users can also specify a custom identity if theirs doesn’t appear on the list.

The changes coincide with the end of this year’s Transgender Awareness Week, and are the result of a survey of current trans users, as well as a consultation with the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Along with the expanded options for gender identity, the app and website have been updated to include gender neutral terms, and users can now choose from pronouns such as "he/him/his", "she/her/hers" and "they/them/theirs." Users whose preferred pronouns are not listed may write in their own.

For 17 days eHarmony in the United Kingdom is offering free trial memberships to new members. From the 15^th December 2017 to 1^st January, 2018 are when these trial memberships are available.

eHarmony specializes in creating long term relationships using their automated matchmaking system. To participate in this promotion all you need to do is sign-up for a free membership at eHarmony.co.uk. This process takes about 30 minutes to complete which includes filling in your profile and taking the relationship questionnaire. No credit card is required either. Once you have finish signing up you will receive your first batch of matches which you can look over and communicate with the ones you wish. Everyday you will continue to receive quality matches that you can look over and send messages to those that you like.

eHarmony belongs to the Online Dating Association (ODA). Companies which belong follow the Online Dating Association Code of Practice which includes rules based on honest and clear communications and protection of user data and privacy.

For more information about this matchmaking service, please read our eHarmony review for the UK.

Image: ABC

Sick and tired of the relentless positivity of people trying to put their best foot forward on dating apps? Brendan Alper has the solution - now with Mark Cuban’s blessing, Shark Tank stardom, and a six-digit investment.

Alper is the brains behind Hater, an unusual take on digital dating that matches users based on things they can’t stand. Instead of mutual likes, Hater searches for mutual dislikes, prompting singles to bond over their most despised people, places, things, and concepts.

Following a successful public debut around Valentine’s Day in 2017, Alper appeared this month on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank to take Hater to the next level.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of female-friendly dating app Bumble, was just named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, and is featured on its December 2017 cover. This is no small feat – her dating app has amassed a large following with 70% year-on-year growth, according to the article, and has 22 million registered users. In comparison Tinder has 46 million registered users and last year saw growth at 10%.

The company is also being eyed by Match Group, owner of dating app rival Tinder, and is said to be in talks for over a billion dollars as an asking price. Herd turned down the company’s original offer of $450 million, according to recent reports.