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Dating services are nothing new: online dating sites, however, are a relatively recent phenomenon. People looking for love spent an incredible $500 million on online dating and personals sites in 2005: this despite warnings that it may be unsafe or perilous.

People are using online dating services to find and screen potential partners, a practice which will only grow in popularity in the coming years. Wired magazine predicts that people will become more efficient in finding love and will turn to sites that offer a proven method for finding partners. According to the Wired article on online dating services: “Serendipity is the hallmark of inefficient markets, and the marketplace of love, like it or not, is becoming more efficient.”

There are at least four types of internet dating services: general dating sites, compatibility sites, niche sites and networking sites.

General Sites

Many online dating services offer a mix and mingle approach. You can create a profile, which is the face you present to others on the site. You can also look at others’ profiles to get an idea of who you would like to get to know better. The chat rooms, forums, buddy lists, and IM features that are typically offered on these sites offer yet another chance to meet with compatible partners. These sites are great for people new to the online dating scene because they are usually free.

There are zillions of these sites, so it may be a bit difficult to sort out the ones that you want to participate in. Get recommendations from friends if possible. Find out if your friends have tried some of the sites, and ask what their experiences were like.

Remember that there is no way to know if the information in someone’s profile is true. People do post inaccurate information for a variety of reasons.

Your first priority should be safety, even when you’re looking for love. Take precautions, such as never providing personal information like your address or phone number. If you do decide to meet someone in person, make sure you meet in a public place. Most of all, use common sense and intuition. If something doesn’t feel right to you, don’t push yourself to continue.

Sites for Lasting Love

Compatibility sites seek to match you with people who have similar profiles and with whom you might find chemistry. You will complete a compatibility profile or assessment to best facilitate meeting the “right” people. Unlike the more general sites, compatibility sites charge a fee because they take a more active role in your matches. Instead of just providing a meeting place, they are matching you with potential partners.

Compatibly sites, like E-Harmony, are typically used by people looking for lasting relationships. They are not usually casual daters but those looking for long-term commitments and/or marriage. And through these sites, many people have found what they have been looking for.

Similarities Attract

A niche online dating service is a good option if you are looking to meet someone with a particular interest or slant on life. You may want to spend time with someone who shares your interest in Motocross, or who raises pigs, or who is a square dancer. There are specialty online dating sites for just about any niche you can think of. Some niche online dating sites are free and some are not.

These sites are particularly suitable for those who prefer to date others within their religious faith. It can be hard to find people who share your values and beliefs, and niche sites do a great job of putting people together in that way.

Sites for Friends and Relationships

Meeting people – and staying in touch – can be difficult in our busy lives. Networking sites not only allow us to remain in contact with friends, but meet new people as well. Sites like MySpace and Face Book are not online dating services per se, but they do allow you to look at people’s profiles and decide if you would like to strike up a friendship.

Because many people use social networking sites to keep in touch with family and friends, they are not interested in finding dating partners. People’s profiles often state why they are on the site, such as for friends, networking, or dating. This can help you target your search in a more effective way.

Whether you want to look through profiles and select your own matches or you want some help from compatibility sites, online dating services can help you find what you are looking for. There are so many people using these sites now that it is an excellent and effective way to meet great people. Do you really want to be set up on one more blind date? Take love into your own hands and try an online dating service.

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