| Evolved from the age-old concept of | | | | • Better searchability – In recent years, |
| matchmaking and blind date, online dating has | | | | websites with extensive and searchable databases |
| progressed both quantitatively and qualitatively | | | | have transformed online dating. Sites such as |
| over the years, and is destined to continue to do | | | | MySpace and Friendster allow members to fill out |
| so for years to come. Whereas online dating | | | | a profile, which other members can search to find |
| originated as nothing more than scanning names | | | | people with compatible interests and lifestyles. |
| and pictures of singles, popular websites such as | | | | This trend toward improved searchability will |
| MySpace and Friendster have demonstrated how | | | | continue as technology and demand usher in new |
| features such as searchable databases, | | | | standards of online matchmaking. Thus, when |
| personalized pages, and blogs can benefit those | | | | users are matched online, they will less likely to be |
| searching for love online. | | | | matched up in a random blind date. |
| There are other dating alternatives out there | | | | • More personal interactions - Online dating |
| besides online dating, such as speed dating, being | | | | sites are beginning to realize the importance of |
| setup in a blind date by friends/relatives, or simply | | | | personalized interaction. The trend toward |
| just meeting people in a bar/club. However, | | | | personal expression -- as evidenced in detailed |
| because online dating is so convenient and easy to | | | | online dating profiles, MySpace personal pages, and |
| use it has become one of the most popular | | | | blogs -- will continue, allowing members to choose |
| matchmaking services. Clearly, online dating has | | | | their dates more and more on the basis of |
| come a long way since its inception. What else | | | | compatibility. |
| can we expect from the industry as technology | | | | It wasn’t very long ago that most people |
| continues to advance? | | | | expressed suspicion of online dating. Meeting |
| • Improved accountability - As the online dating | | | | people online posed a safety threat because they |
| industry expands and improves, we will see fewer | | | | might not be who they said they were -- not to |
| instances of members not being who they claim | | | | mention marked you as desperate in the eyes of |
| to be. A large factor is due to the fact that online | | | | many skeptics. However, as the Internet has |
| dating sites are beginning to understand the | | | | become the basis for more and more personal, |
| necessity of performing background checks on | | | | social, and business interactions, online dating has |
| their members. However, a growing trend toward | | | | also become more acceptable -- and, as a |
| instant messaging and other forms of | | | | necessity, more safe. It is predicted that these |
| communication can be observed. This trend is also | | | | trends, triggered by technological advancements |
| predicted to turn to video and audio conversations | | | | and the growing interest in online dating, will |
| online. Ideally, being able to talk face-to-face via | | | | continue for many years to come. Who knows -- |
| webcam such as using speed dating and blind date | | | | by the time your grandchildren are dating, perhaps |
| service provided by will weed out predators and | | | | online dating will be the standard, rather than the |
| encourage members to be more realistic about | | | | exception! |
| who they are. | | | | 15minuteDate is a new concept in online |
| • More mobility - People can now use cell | | | | matchmaking that combines the best of blind date |
| phones to message friends, check email, and | | | | and speed dating. By using the service, users will |
| even browse the mobile web. It is also predicted | | | | be matched up in a 15 minute blind date/speed |
| that cell phones also will become another major | | | | dating session where they can meet their blind |
| method of online matchmaking. | | | | date face-to-face via webcam. |