How Popular Is Internet Dating?

Celina remembers the elaborate story she came up with about how she met her first boyfriend online. It was the early days of internet dating, and those who sought the assistance of an online matchmaker had the stigma of having to resort to "computer dating." Celina recalls, "We made up an elaborate story about how we were introduced by a 'friend of a friend' at a party. Neither of us wanted to admit that we had gone to our computer in search of a date." She eventually went on to marry the man she met online. Ten years and three kids later, they are one of the literally millions of success stories that have come as a product of e-dating.

How times have changed! Today the online matchmaking industry is a multi-million dollar business, and literally millions of singles have dipped their toes in the internet dating pool. In fact, according to US News and World Report, in August 2003 alone, internet dating sites received more than 40 million unique visits. That's about half of the current population of single adults in the United States! Much of the social stigma that went with internet matchmaking is gone now that online dating sites have improved. Here are some reasons why you should take a look at finding a match on the internet if you haven't done so already...

1. Compatibility - Technology has evolved on the online dating sites to where matchmaking has become much more of a science. Sites like eHarmony and Chemistry.com offer in-depth personality reviews that take a lot of the guesswork out of matchmaking and help you narrow down the field.

2. Time - Let's face it - most of us don't have the time we would like to go out and meet people. In a very short period of time it's possible to look through literally hundreds of profiles online.

3. Expense - You find out early on if you're not compatible through communication and online chat. You don't need to spend your precious time and money weeding through the options in person. Compare that with the monthly fees for many online dating sites and you're looking at a very cost-effective process!

4. Selection - Just about all of the online dating sites allow you to select by larger categories like ethnicity or smoking behavior, Interestingly enough though, on many sites you can literally narrow down your potential partner to height, hair color, eye color, zip code, or any other number of features. The more you narrow, of course, the fewer matches you'll come up with. If you're looking for something specific in a mate, however, you certainly have the potential to find it!

So go ahead, dive into the online dating pool!

A directory of internet matchmaking sites and their strengths and weaknesses can be found at http://www.edatingreviews.com .