Singles Sites Rising in Popularity
Online dating has become immensely popular and is becoming more and more popular as the days pass. The online dating industry is now worth billions of dollars, and the Internet is literally bursting at the seams with online dating services and social networking sites that are used by singles young and old to meet new, exciting people. Gone are the days when online dating was considered to be a social taboo, and people no longer like the idea of having their dates and partners arranged by friends and family members. The idea of meeting hundreds and thousands of people from all over the globe from the comforts of home while simultaneously handling busy schedules appeals to innumerable professionals; however, this is not the only reason for the rising popularity of online dating.
Facebook: The Most Popular Dating Site
According to the results of a study by Euro RSCG Worldwide, online dating services are not the most popular way of finding dates and partners. The most popular way to meet new people and keep in touch with existing contacts is Facebook, and the second most popular are online dating services and online matchmaking sites, which use sophisticated matchmaking technologies and methodologies to match singles.
More than 40 million singles in the US alone visit social networking sites, online dating services, and online matchmaking sites with the purpose of finding that special someone. Portals such as FriendFinder.com, PerfectMatch.com, Match.com, eHarmony.com and others allow users to meet new, exciting people from all over the world and even cater to the special requirements of groups, communities, nationalities, and people with different sexual preferences.
The Practicality of Online Dating
Speaking on the phenomenon, relationship experts, marriage counselors, and psychologists agree that a number of psychological and practical, some hidden and some obvious, are responsible for the rising popularity of online dating.
People find online dating to be much more practical in the sense that it is safer, anonymous, saves time, free, and convenient. Besides, online dating gives singles and even married and attached people access to zillions of like-minded people from all over the world. Since singles dating sites and social networking sites are home to mammoth communities of people, finding that special someone becomes easier. The online dating process is extremely private; even your closest friends might be totally unaware that you are hunting for your special someone online. You can browse through hundreds of quality profiles in the safety of home and at your own pace.
Are Online Dating Sites Safe?
Singles are attracted to online dating because it is safe if you exercise some common sense. You can meet thousands of other singles anonymously, without revealing your identity. Besides, the best online dating and matchmaking services in the industry provide tools for conducting background checks and criminal screenings. This does not mean that online dating sites are 100 percent safe, but they are definitely much safer than traditional dating, which requires many face-to-face meetings before the couple can decide whether they are made for each other.
Online Daters are More Open
Contrary to opinions that people can lie more easily online, studies have shown that people are more open, truthful, genuine, and comfortable while communicating with online friends they have never seen in their lives. This enables them to get into stronger and lasting relationships. Besides, some online dating services offer personality tests, compatibility tests, and so on, helping singles decide if they are really compatible with the person they are interested in.
People love the idea of online dating because it gives them the luxury of fantasizing and allows them to belong to a particular group, community, or family. Online dating gives people the chance to fall in love with a mysterious and exotic foreigner, or anyone that they would not have meet otherwise.
Online Dating Can Increase Confidence
People love it when they receive flirts, pokes, flowers, smiles, virtual gifts, and “I am interested in you” messages online. It makes them feel wanted and loved and satisfies in them a need to be accepted, a need to belong. Facebook, for instance, functions as a “third place,” different from work and home and strongly resembling places such as coffee shops, beer houses, clubs, and so on, where people can relax, meet, socialize, discuss, connect with, and enjoy. In a capitalistic setup where neighbors hardly speak to one another, spouses hardly have the time for each other, and one is always busy balancing home and career, the need for a “third place” is great, and online dating sites and social networking sites fill this great need perfectly.
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