Internet Dating

The term online dating is a slight misnomer because this term actually refers to the formal process of matchmaking via the Internet. Online sites have been set up where individuals locate a potential partner and then the dating process takes places offline. This entry examines the process of online dating and the reasons that people elect to use this matchmaking method. In addition, it considers the best types of presentations of self on these sites and the future of online dating.

During the early days of the Internet, given the restricted technology capabilities and bandwidth, online dating sites looked more like newspaper personal ads. Individuals would read a profile and contact people on the site to learn more about them and to gauge whether the other person was also interested. Men were much more likely to subscribe to these sites than women, and companies allowed women onto these sites for free to ensure men had an adequate selection. Compared with the early days of the Internet, today the amount of information and detail people can add to their profile is obviously less restrictive due to increased bandwidth. Most sites attract about equal numbers of [Page 887]men and women. Online dating sites across the globe continue to increase in popularity.

Given the number of people seeking others online for love and sex, it is little wonder that companies have tried to formalize this process, as well as to make money from people who are prepared to seek out romance on the Internet. These sites are typically set up to have their users construct a personal ad for themselves. Clients can, and generally do, show at least one photograph of themselves and can also add video and voice to their profiles. Online daters can rate themselves or check boxes indicating attributes such as their age, gender, location, job, and physique (e.g., a choice ranging from slim to overweight). In addition, clients are usually given an opportunity to add to and expand on this information. For example, they may elaborate on their hobbies and musical interests or the type of person they are attempting to attract.

Some sites do the matching for the client. For example, some online dating sites ask the client to fill out descriptive details and a personality scale. The site then applies a formula to match like-minded individuals and presents their clients with options from which to select. In contrast, other sites provide a more flexible approach, whereby clients can opt to fill out such tests and be presented with profiles of clients deduced to be suitable matches, or instead the client can wade through the sea of possibilities and select for themselves (i.e., a profile-searching approach).

Once a potential match is identified on the site, individuals make contact. This might be via a subtle flirtatious note or via a more detailed e-mail. Individuals might elect to get to know one another via e-mail or an instant message (IM) program. If all goes well, then a face-to-face meeting is organized. Typically this meeting is organized within a couple of weeks of initial contact via the site.

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