OPW — Mar 16 — We've just updated the internet dating rankings. The changes are: Match moves down from #1 to #3 and MSN Dating (powered by Match) moves up one spot to #4, kicking Singlesnet down one spot to #5. eHarmony moves up two spots to #6 pushing Mate1 and American Singles down one spot. – Mark Brooks
Category: Match.com
State Considers Banning Sex Offenders From Internet Use
THE DAILY JOURNAL — Mar 15 — Released sex offenders would be barred from using the Internet and online dating sites would face new security rules under bills to be considered today by the Senate. Senate President Richard J. Codey is sponsoring the legislative package that has raised constitutional questions and opposition from Internet companies. Released sex offenders caught using the Internet would face up to 18 months in jail and fines of up to $10,000. A bill also would require online dating sites to notify New Jersey residents whether they do background checks, a proposal opposed by Internet companies such as Yahoo!, AOL, eHarmony and Match.com. "Criminal background checks provide users of online dating with a false sense of security," said Bill Ashworth, director of state government affairs at Yahoo! No federal law imposes Internet restrictions on convicted sex offenders, but Florida and Nevada have enacted such measures.
State Considers Banning Sex Offenders From Internet Use
THE DAILY JOURNAL — Mar 15 — Released sex offenders would be barred from using the Internet and online dating sites would face new security rules under bills to be considered today by the Senate. Senate President Richard J. Codey is sponsoring the legislative package that has raised constitutional questions and opposition from Internet companies. Released sex offenders caught using the Internet would face up to 18 months in jail and fines of up to $10,000. A bill also would require online dating sites to notify New Jersey residents whether they do background checks, a proposal opposed by Internet companies such as Yahoo!, AOL, eHarmony and Match.com. "Criminal background checks provide users of online dating with a false sense of security," said Bill Ashworth, director of state government affairs at Yahoo! No federal law imposes Internet restrictions on convicted sex offenders, but Florida and Nevada have enacted such measures.
In the Computer Dating Game, Room for a Coach
NY TIMES — Mar 12 — Dating-Profile.com, ProfileHelper.com and E-Cyrano.com turn stale profiles into eloquent and ads for $39 to $2,000. LookBetterOnline.com and SingleShots.com, sell professional photo shoots. Dating makeovers are hardly new. High-end offline dating services have long provided help, said Mark Brooks, of OnlinePersonalsWatch.com, "The promise of Internet dating is you plug in your profile and you send a few e-mails and you have got a date. It's not as easy as that." Jim West, 43, a divorced engineer, struggled to get beyond the first "hello" e-mail when he started online dating. He paid $49 for a critique from Eric Resnick, of ProfileHelper.com. The advice: when sending e-mail messages to women, ask them questions about their profiles so they are more inclined to reply. Match.com CEO Jim Safka says, online dating is like being on stage and being viewed by thousands of people. "Wouldn't you spend some time backstage getting ready?" Match is testing 'Match Platinum' in which professional matchmakers interview clients, coach them on appearance and style and then sift through Match's database of 15 million members to find a compatible date for $500 to $2,000, depending on the level of service. FULL ARTICLE @ NY TIMES
In the Computer Dating Game, Room for a Coach
NY TIMES — Mar 12 — Dating-Profile.com, ProfileHelper.com and E-Cyrano.com turn stale profiles into eloquent and ads for $39 to $2,000. LookBetterOnline.com and SingleShots.com, sell professional photo shoots. Dating makeovers are hardly new. High-end offline dating services have long provided help, said Mark Brooks, of OnlinePersonalsWatch.com, "The promise of Internet dating is you plug in your profile and you send a few e-mails and you have got a date. It's not as easy as that." Jim West, 43, a divorced engineer, struggled to get beyond the first "hello" e-mail when he started online dating. He paid $49 for a critique from Eric Resnick, of ProfileHelper.com. The advice: when sending e-mail messages to women, ask them questions about their profiles so they are more inclined to reply. Match.com CEO Jim Safka says, online dating is like being on stage and being viewed by thousands of people. "Wouldn't you spend some time backstage getting ready?" Match is testing 'Match Platinum' in which professional matchmakers interview clients, coach them on appearance and style and then sift through Match's database of 15 million members to find a compatible date for $500 to $2,000, depending on the level of service. FULL ARTICLE @ NY TIMES
Match.com Has Around 15 Millions Boomers as Regulars
SENIORS COPIE — Feb 27 — Match.com has around 15 million boomers as regular goers, and the global figure of boomers using an online dating service increased by 350% in six years. There are also eHarmony.com, Lavalife.com and Plentyoffish.com, all of which offer Boomer-friendly s ervices. Match.com has built the largest online dating site in America, and maintained its dominance in recent years in part by aggressively marketing to singles over 50 and divorcees. ~1.7 million of its 15 million members are 45 to 59. (Sun Florida Sun-Sentinel, "More and more boomers turn to online dating services", 02/18/07)
The full article was originally published at Senior Scope, but is no longer available.
Match.com Has Around 15 Millions Boomers as Regulars
SENIORS COPIE — Feb 27 — Match.com has around 15 million boomers as regular goers, and the global figure of boomers using an online dating service increased by 350% in six years. There are also eHarmony.com, Lavalife.com and Plentyoffish.com, all of which offer Boomer-friendly s ervices. Match.com has built the largest online dating site in America, and maintained its dominance in recent years in part by aggressively marketing to singles over 50 and divorcees. ~1.7 million of its 15 million members are 45 to 59. (Sun Florida Sun-Sentinel, "More and more boomers turn to online dating services", 02/18/07)
The full article was originally published at Senior Scope, but is no longer available.
Match Acquires Netclub and Edodo
PRESS RELEASE — Feb 27 — Match.com has acquired Netclub in France and edodo China. Match had record revenue of $311 million in 2006 (up 25%). Global market development contributed greatly, most notably in the U.K. and Scandinavia. Match operates 35 country sites in 15 languages. Netclub is the #3 French dating site. According to JupiterResearch, European online dating is expected to grow 30%.
There are 64 million online singles in China. iResearch.com forecasts the online dating category will nearly double in 2007. Social networking site, eDodo has 180,000+ paid members and gains ~3,000 new paid subscribers each day.
Mark Brooks: China offers a lucrative long term opportunity. Acquisition is the sensible way to enter this market. Netclub is #14 in Canada, down from #6 in October 2006. I don't see them in the French Alexa top 100, but I'm sure that will change soon. See OPW left bar.
Match Acquires Netclub and Edodo
PRESS RELEASE — Feb 27 — Match.com has acquired Netclub in France and edodo China. Match had record revenue of $311 million in 2006 (up 25%). Global market development contributed greatly, most notably in the U.K. and Scandinavia. Match operates 35 country sites in 15 languages. Netclub is the #3 French dating site. According to JupiterResearch, European online dating is expected to grow 30%.
There are 64 million online singles in China. iResearch.com forecasts the online dating category will nearly double in 2007. Social networking site, eDodo has 180,000+ paid members and gains ~3,000 new paid subscribers each day.
Mark Brooks: China offers a lucrative long term opportunity. Acquisition is the sensible way to enter this market. Netclub is #14 in Canada, down from #6 in October 2006. I don't see them in the French Alexa top 100, but I'm sure that will change soon. See OPW left bar.
Male/Female Quantcast Ratios of Top Dating Properties
OPW — Feb 26th — Here are the male/female ratios, most popular age range, and proportion of visits from 'regulars' and 'addicts.' Ranking courtesy of Hitwise. Ratios, age range and addiction levels courtesy of Quantcast. '100' represents the 'internet average.'
1 Singlesnet
Male 112, Female 88, age 45-54, 91% of visits from regulars and addicts LINK
2 Yahoo Personals
Male 114, Female 85, age 45-54, 78% regulars and addicts LINK
3 RUET
Male 116, Female 83, age 45-54, 77% regulars and addicts LINK
4 Match
Male 100, Female 99, age 45-54, 94% regulars and addicts LINK
5 eHarmony
Male 73, Female 125, age 25-34 and 35-44, 95% regulars and addicts LINK
6 Plentyoffish
Male 112, Female 87, age 45-54, 98% regulars and addicts LINK
7 Mate1
Male 97, Female 102, age 45-54, 74% regulars and addicts LINK
8 Blackpeoplemeet
Male 94, Female 105, age 35-44, 96% regulars and addicts LINK
9 Manhunt.net
Male 177, Female 24, age 35-44, 99% regulars and addicts LINK
10 Adam4Adam
Male 170, Female 31, age 35-44, 99% regulars and addicts LINK
11 American Singles
Male 120, Female 89, age 45-54, 82% regulars and addicts LINK
12 Gay.com
Male 171, Female 30, age 35-45, 96% regulars and addicts LINK
13 Hot or Not
Male 122, Female 78, age 18-24, 95% regulars and addicts LINK
14 MSN Match
Male 103, Female 97, age 45-54, 71% regulars and addicts LINK
15 Cupid
Male 110, Female 89, age 45-54, 95% regulars and addicts LINK
eHarmony clearly has more guys than girls. Given the raunchy TRUE advertising, one would expect a higher representation of males than the 116 scored here. I think this is because TRUE is using their raunchy advertising in male oriented spots, and also, the edgy ads still manage to attract women. American Singles scored higher with a 120 for males. The gay sites and PlentyofFish have the highest addiction levels. Yahoo Personals, TRUE, and Mate1 scored a little low for user engagement. All in the 74-78% range. – Mark Brooks