An Axiomatic Truth About Online Dating

With the increasing popularity of social networks like Facebook, Youtube and Myspace, some people feel that traditional online dating web sites are becoming obsolete. It seems this trend may continue, but it will not spell the end for online matchmaking services.

The popularity of social networking sites will reinforce the message that web personals sites are for singles intent on finding love partners, as opposed to "just friends". This will help increase dating success, as people not interested in romance will simply be drawn off to other websites, and thus leave a more specific pool of individuals behind.

In a sense, perhaps it can be said that people who look for dates on social networking websites may not really be interested in finding romance. They may not be ready to settle into a serious relationship.

At the same time, they may still want to make it look like they are trying to meet a partner. It seems, many of these people will turn back to the "old fashioned" net dating services once they have a firm intent to commit to a romantic relationship.

While social network sites may be free, they are also for everyone that wants to join them, regardless of romantic intent. Thus, if you are looking for a date on Facebook or MySpace, you may indeed find someone attractive and compatible.

Unfortunately, that person may be married, or simply have no in interest in dating. On the other hand, if you had met that same person through an Internet matchmaking site, it would be very clear that you are both seeking, and ready to pursue a romantic relationship.

Because online matchmaking services have a very clearly defined goal, they do more than offer a place to meet people. They set a level of understanding about the kinds of singles that you will meet on the site, as well as what these online daters want to achieve romantically.

For someone that is shy, or too embarrassed to ask for a date in their non-cyber life, going to an online personals website eliminates the need to make initial romantic intentions understood. Even though social networking sites like MySpace can also be used to meet future mates, their lack of specificity makes it more difficult to establish the intent to find a love partner.

[Original article]