Online Dating - Reasons It Is Popular Despite Its Dangers

By: Abhishek Agarwal

The motto of the times is to "find love with the click of a mouse." Several films such as "Must Love Dogs," "Napoleon Dynamite," and "Think You've Got Mail" are all based on the theme of online dating or finding love online. Romanticism is now just a concept of the past.

Online dating is not to be taken as the last hope of people who have failed to find love the traditional way. It is similar to putting a personal ad in a newspaper or magazine, a method that was popular in the late eighties and early nineties. Of course, online dating, being much more faster and convenient than a newspaper advertisement, has attracted to it several people and the number is on the rise.

The results of online dating is more or less the same as putting an advertisement in a newpaper or a magazine. However, there are many more advantages. You are still shooting in the dark, but you can check on things such as the number of views your profile has got and send instant messages to people who catch your interest. Responses from potential partners are instantaneous too.

Rising Popularity of Online Dating

Online dating is exciting. It appeals to people with a sense of adventure, people who find it thrilling to track down, meet, and get to know a complete stranger. It has proved to be extremely successful whether you want a short-term or a long-term relationship. Statistics show a startling number of success stories.

In 2004, in America alone, around $469.5 million has been spent on online dating services. Now, online dating is considered to be the largest Internet industry. Online dating services are now growing at the rate of 35 percent each year. You can find thousands of online dating websites. However, the majority shares in this market are held by a few large websites owned by giants such as Yahoo with its Yahoo Personals, Match.com, and American Singles, to name a few.

Online dating, however, is not just for Americans although Americans use it the most. The concept of online dating has spread over Europe too, and a number of single Europeans are resorting to the alluring online method of finding a partner. A number of European dating websites are cropping up all over the Internet.

With the way things are going on right now, it wouldn't be surprising if a large number of married couples say that they had met online.

Dangers of Online Dating

Some have achieved great success with online dating. Others have not been so lucky. Some view it as nothing but a curse, a great opportunity for online wolves to find prey. It cannot be denied that a number of unsavory characters have taken advantage of the anonymity offered by the Internet. Many people do not post the truth in their profile, upload old photos, and even ask for money in exchange for a relationship.

There have been reports of people getting cheated by potential mates from other countries. There have been cases of women being lured into sex after having been promised marriage and a new, better life. At the same time, a number of online meetings have led to happy marriages.

Another problem with certain online dating websites is that they pad up their member lists with a number of fictitious profiles. This is to fool new members into thinking that there are many members on this site and, therefore, a wide range of potential partners to choose from.

A number of people who use online dating services are actually very shy. Their ability to use the computer is much better than their ability to communicate with a real individual.

It is important to remember that online dating is not like a romance movie. All the men who post a profile online are not Prince Charmings on white horses and not all women are damsels in distress trapped in large towers who will let down their hair so that you can climb up and live happily forever.

Therefore, research a person thoroughly before you decide to meet him or her personally. Request her or him to show herself or himself on herself on a webcam, and then start talking over a phone. Be patient and take your time before you finally decide to meet each other.

In spite of its disadvantages, the popularity of online dating is on the rise. Now, the Internet has more online dating websites than ever, and more and more singles are registering, not just on one, but many websites at the same time. A single click of the mouse could be the beginning of your personal love story.

About the Author

Abhishek has got some great Dating Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 96 Pages Ebook, "How To Date The Hottest Women…Online And Offline!" from his website http://www.Dating-Tricks.com/139/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.

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