FOX BUSINESS – Apr 21 – In 15 years, Match.com became one of the biggest players in the online dating space. Here is the timeline: How Match.com got where it is.
1995 – Match.com launched on April 21 by parent company Electric Classifieds, a brainchild of entrepreneur Gary Kremen. Membership is $9.95/month.
1996 – By Oct, there are 100,000 registrations.
1997 – Katherine Arce and Boyd Bullough become Match.com’s 150th couple to walk down the aisle and take the vows of matrimony. CUC International Inc. acquires Match.com from Electric Classifieds.
1998 – Membership is $12.95/month
1999 – Match.com acquires One & Only Network, a leading provider of online matchmaking with a 130,000-member affiliate program. Membership is $16.95/month.
2000 – 156,945 paying subscribers.
2001 – Match.com partners with AOL and MSN. Membership is $24.95/month.
2002 – Match.com launches internationally with the acquisition of Soulmates.com, making Match.com available in 40 countries.
2003 – Match.com re-launches their site. MatchMobile is launched in February.
2004 – Success.match.com is launched.
2005 – Match.com launches Happen Magazine, the online magazine focused exclusively on dating and relationships.
2006 – MindFindBind program launched, created with the help of Dr. Phil McGraw giving members access to the action-oriented, plain-talk dating and relationship insights of Dr. Phil. Chemistry.com is launched as a premium brand to Match.com.
2007 – Match debuted their “It’s OK to Look Campaign”. Chemistry.com launches the “Come as you are” campaign outing eHarmony’s rejection policies.
2008 – Despite the stock market crash, Match.com experienced their largest membership growth over the last seven years in Nov.
2009 – Match.com announces the sale of their European operations to Meetic and acquires People Media, a leading operator of targeted dating sites, from American Capital Ltd.. Match.com launches mobile application for iPhone and iPhone touch and Palm Pre.
2010 – Membership is $34.99/month, Match.com acquires Singlesnet.com.
The full article was originally published at Fox Business, but is no longer available.
