Month: February 2006

More Singles Turn to Online Dating in Prague

Posted on February 10, 2006

WwwrandeczTHE PRAGUE POST — Feb 8 — www.seznamka.cz has 1,100 new ads and 6,000 new responses appear each day, according to Jan Rychnovsky of Tanger Infosystems.  Another, www.rande.cz, has 100,000 users, with closer to 250,000 paid and registered members in total. Rychnovský estimates that around 1 million Czechs are Internet daters — an estimated 1 million to 2 million residents have Internet access at home.  As in much of Europe, there are more singles in the Czech Republic than ever before.  Marriages here declined 45% between 1989 and 2003, an average of 3% each year, according to the Czech Statistical Office. Most online daters still tend to be male: ~65%, 35% women, according to Seznamka estimates. 

The full article was originally published at The Prague Post, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: I met my girlfriend in Prague at the time of the 2005 internet dating convention and spent two months there.  Online dating is a new phenomenon.  I'll ask her to comment as I know she gave it a shot.

Where Should We Meet in Cyberspace?

Posted on February 10, 2006

BigchurchBOISE WEEKLY — Feb 8 — On Bigchurch.com, a Christian dating site, users can search for bible passages by gospel and verse while looking for love (no same-sex searching allowed). On the other end of the spectrum, AdultFriendFinder.com offers to match up like-minded thrill-seekers of any bent.  For the tasteful hedonist, the site to visit is Nerve.com, a long-established online magazine that calls itself "more forthright and topical than 'erotica,' but less blockheadedly masculine than 'pornography.'" OKCupid is entirely free to use and quizzes users on their opinions about everything from politics to intimacy.  FULL ARTICLE @ BOISE WEEKLY

Mark Brooks: OKCupid and Plentyoffish.com are the big freebie sites these days.  Sexsearch.com is next in line to adultfriendfinder in the casual dating space.

For Your Type, Keep Typing

Posted on February 10, 2006

LOS ANGELES TIMES — Feb 9 — As online dating has become more widespread, so have niche sites specializing by lifestyle and interest; truckerpassions.com, tallfriends.com, friendslikeme.org, gothicloveonline.com, conservativematch.com, hiphopmatchmaker.com, rightstuffdating.com, grapedates.com, datemypet.com, sugardaddie.com, dharmadate.net, veggiedate.com, largepassions.com. According to JupiterResearch, 14% of American Internet users browsed personal ads in 2005. In 2006, that figure is expected to increase to 16%. Spark operates 26 dating sites. Twenty-five of them are niche, including blacksinglesconnection.com, deafsinglesconnection.com, singleparentsmingle.com, christianmingle.com, militarysinglesconnection.com. The largest dating portal for Jewish singles, JDate currently has 600,000 members. 

The full article was originally published at LA Times, but is no longer available.

Google to Buy Friendster?

Posted on February 10, 2006

Google_2SILICON BEAT — Feb 10 — We've heard a nasty rumor that Google has put out a bid out for Friendster.  Google made a $30 million bid for Friendster back in 2003 and were spurned by Friendster when the start-up chose to take $13 million in venture capital from Kleiner Perkins and Benchmark instead.  FULL ARTICLE @ SILICON BEAT

Mark Brooks: Someone please give Friendster a good home and save it.  I worked with Friendster in 2003 before starting my little consultancy, and am still shocked they were 'outfriendstered' by MySpace and Facebook.  So near, and yet so far.  They could have been worth $500 million by now.  Coulda, woulda, shoulda…what's next in this saga?  Can Friendster scratch back a decent position?  Friendster hit the 'connectors' at the point of curiosity.  But, curiosity killed the cat…it wasn't enough.  MySpace hit the 'connectors' at their point of passion, music…and went one step further by empowering them with more means of customising their 'space.'  Facebook hit the connectors at their point of pain, fear of loss of contact with their valuable alumni network.  Facebook has the highest integrity network and represents the biggest 'threat' to the online dating market. 

New CEO at eHarmony: A Sign of an Upcoming IPO?

Posted on February 10, 2006

Eharmony_4BUSINESS WEEK ONLINE — Jan 10 — eHarmony has a new CEO. Long-time CEO Greg Forgatch, married to a daughter of Dr. Neil Clark Warren has stepped down "to pursue other interests." This executive change marks the end of eHarmony operating like a family-run business and could mark the beginning of eHarmony as a public company.  The new CEO, Jaynie M. Studenmund has established relationships with various banks and has been a board member since August 2005.  Studenmund was the COO for Overture Services, now part of Yahoo!, and prior to that, president and COO of PayMyBills.com. 

The full article was originally published at Business Week, but is no longer available.

eHarmony Names Jaynie Studenmund President and CEO
LA BUSINESS NEWS — Jan 11 — Studenmund brings 25 years of executive operating and marketing experience.  She has managed businesses ranging from $100 million to $1 billion in revenue. Earlier in her career, Studenmund was a management consultant with Booz, Allen & Hamilton and she holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Wellesley College.  

The full article was originally published at Daily Business News, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: eHarmony raised $110 million in VC money in 2004.

Yahoo to Offer Incentives for Using Search Engine?

Posted on February 10, 2006

Yahoopersonals_6CNET NEWS — February 8 — "Yahoo is considering launching a program to reward people who make Yahoo their primary search engine. Users would have to log in or use a search box specifically designed for the program, like "a Yahoo rewards toolbar." Potential reward options include: No Yahoo Mail ads, unlimited Yahoo Mail storage,, Outlook Access to Yahoo Mail, Netflix discount, discounted Yahoo Personals subscription. 

The full article was originally published at CNet News, but is no longer available.

Dating Sites Decline Despite Approaching Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 10, 2006

JupiterresearchcomCLIKZ NETWORK — Feb 8 — "Online Dating in 2006: Pricing Strategies to Drive Subscriber Growth" from JupiterResearch finds revenue growth is driven by higher monthly fees instead of new membership. 5% of Internet users pay for online dating subscriptions, down from 6% last year. More Internet users visit dating sites than join, and 1/3 of those who go to dating sites sign up for membership. "Sites are working hard to broaden their total audience," said Elliott. "If they get offline figures like Dr. Phil involved, more visitors will come to their sites [and convert]."  Social networking communities potentially pose a safe alternative to dating sites, but the report doesn't see a significant threat. 14% of non-subscribing online daters use social networking sites for online dating. 

The full article was originally published at ClickZ Network, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: OK folks here's the conversions of top dating sites.  10% of users who register profiles convert to paid members.  This can range from just a couple of percent for a site that is below critical mass, to as high as 25% for a targeted site well beyond critical mass.  eHarmony, Match, Jdate, TRUE etc are higher.  A typical member sticks around for three months.  Spark.net lists churn numbers which reflect this number.  Retention is down…because hey, the industry is more effective at hooking people up these days ;-) 

Unique Personals Site for Bears & Cubs Launches

Posted on February 10, 2006

BeardarcomGAY.COM — Feb 8 — Beardar caters to Bears and Cubs (hairy and husky homosexuals) and will launch its Website at IBR (International Bear Rendezvous, bosf.org). Beardar is doing a model search for its entry web page. Vito "BigVbear" Grandolfo, Beardar.com founder says, "We are taking pictures at the booth. We are looking for couples to take off their shirts, hug face-to-face, smile for the camera and be proud! We want to show prospective members they can find a partner or husband by using the site." 

The full article was originally published at Gay.com, but is no longer available.

Mark Brooks: How sweet.  Any takers?  Yet another niche dating site.  Truly, there's something for everyone these days.

TrueDater Adds MySpace and eHarmony

Posted on February 10, 2006

TruedatercomBUSINESS WIRE — Feb. 8, 2006–TrueDater added MySpace, eHarmony, HotorNot, PlanetOut, and BlackSingles.  Last year Truedater was featured on Wired.com, Time Magazine, Newsweek and NBC's The Today Show. It's free, anonymous and is supported by ads and sign-ups for dating sites. A majority of TrueDater members are women. The site encourages members to review those who are "TrueDaters" as well as those who exaggerate or mislead. Nearly half the reviews on the site are positive endorsements.

Mark Brooks: Greatboyfriends and Greatgirlfriends are alternative spins on this idea. 

iDate 2006 Pictures

Posted on February 9, 2006

Feb 10 – Pictures are out for the 2006 internet dating convention.  All Pics  Highlights: Dr John Gray, Keynote: Online Personals Watch Editor: Mark Brooks, Packed Exhibit Hall, Final Panel & The Beer, Great Expectations CEO: Rob Fisher. Relationship Exchange CEO: Brad Hogg.  300 attendees, more exhibitors, more presentations, two full days of networking and a good time was had by all.  Let’s do it again.  Beijing anyone?  Amsterdam?