Dating Services

An article at the Globe & Mail looks at the increased popularity of online dating since the downturn in the economy which started in the fall. They include a couple of reasons for this. The main point mentioned is, people rather use online dating first to filter out the duds (their word) before spending good money on an expensive dinner.

It's a pretty good deal at $25 a month to go out and meet people online, versus going out and spending 50 to 100 bucks per night and possibly not meeting anyone.

The other reason they suggest is bad times makes people re-prioritize what is important in life. I agree with both of these points, plus I think online dating is also a good distraction from bad times. Nothing legal gives you a better high than when you find someone that gives you that butterfly feeling in your stomach.

The article also gave us a few more statistics of some of our reviewed dating sites. Lavalife member registrations are up 11 percent from November with Toronto leading the charge with a 20 percent increase (Lavalife is based in Toronto). Messaging among members on Lavalife is also at a 6 month high. At the same time Plenty of Fish has had a banner year with a 77 percent increase from December 2007 until December 2008. Apparently about 900,000 people log in every day. A poll at Date.com also discovered that almost 50 percent of members are now spending more time on their dating site making sure they have found Mr or Miss Right before they go out on a date.

We just got the official word that eHarmony is planning for a Free Communication Weekend from February 13th to February 16th 2009. eHarmony is taking advantage of the large number of singles that will be using dating sites on Valentine's Day and during February (the busiest month for online dating). eHarmony wants to show how well their matching system works and, what better way to do this than to give all members (not just new ones) full access to the site. This allows you to review your matches and communicate for free.

This is Free Communication Weekend number 15 for eHarmony. They also had one last year at the same time. If eHarmony's promotion pattern continues you can expect to see more free weekends on or near every major US and Canadian holiday.

Read our eHarmony review for more information on this popular and award winning dating service.

In late January, True.con announced that they have added video chatting to their dating service with 26 different chat rooms.

At a given time, a member may find over 1,000 people chatting, flirting and having fun. The feature not only allows chatters to view up to 10 webcam broadcasts simultaneously, but also allows any two people into a private chat together.

True.com's new group video chat room allows members to enjoy a party like atmosphere since you can view and talk with up to 10 people at once, while the private one on one chat allows for subscribers to go on virtual dates. Online dates allows singles to see how they interact with each other in real time before they commit to taking their relationship off line.

For the full story read True.com's press release.

On January 29, 2009 Date.com become free for the estimated 15 million online dating users in India. This means any local Hindu single may use the service just like a paid member, allowing them to save their Rupee's for an actual date.

Date.com has been planning to expand into non-English speaking markets for a while now. It looks like they want to get a foot in the door in India by offering a free service, were online matrimonial sites are very popular. Date.com is currently available in 4 languages but by 2010 they plan on adding 15 more (see Story).

Read more about this free service for Indian singles at Date.com by reading this press release, or check out our Date.com review for more information on this popular online dating site.

Since last Fridays story called Chemistry.com's Chief Scientific Advisor is on ABC's 20/20 Tonight we have learned that Dr. Helen Fisher and Chemistry.com will be featured on other popular network TV shows like USA Today, ABC’s The View, CNN and GMA Weekend. if you missed the 20/20 special then you can check it out online at ABC News. Dr. Fisher was on Good Morning America as well last Monday, discussing her book which examines true love.

As Valentine's Day approaches you will see Dr. Fisher and Chemistry.com more and more in both print and video. This include Feb. 11 in USA Today, Feb. 12 on The View and on her busiest day, Friday February the 13th, where she has 30 interviews scheduled on morning shows across the country.

Perfectmatch.com relationship expert, Dr. Pepper Schwartz, has been quoted several times in this month's Real Simple magazine which has an article called The Experts' Guide to a Strong Relationship. Real Simple gathered together a panel of experts to assess 13 rules of love. The panel consist of 9 experts who's occupations included authors, sex therapist, psychologists, and a dating site owner. Dr Schwartz addressed the following relationship wisdoms:

• Your Spouse shouldn't be your best friend.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
• Having kids will bring you closer.
• There is such thing as love at first sight.
• Always keep them guessing
• Everyone experiences the seven-year itch.

Each rule of love or relationship wisdom is discussed briefly by 2 to 4 of the experts, with some of them disagreeing with each other. For the full story and the complete list of love rules check your news stand for the February, 2009 issue of Real Simple.