Somewhere Out There - Looking For Love In Cyberspace

Tired of always going it alone, but not getting anywhere with chance meetings and blind dates?  If you’re looking to make a love connection and your resource well has run dry, why not turn to your computer for help?
Once taboo, online matchmaking has become an acceptable way for singles from all walks of life to meet.  While online dating services still have their critics, the industry now rakes in millions of dollars each year and has more than a few success stories tucked under its belt.  This doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find your soul mate, but if you are honest and willing to broaden your horizons, there is a good chance that new possibilities will open up.
Here is a rundown of some of the more popular sites.  Some charge fees, and they vary.  Others are free.  A good rule of thumb is to look over the type of people listing on a site, and remember that you usually get what you pay for, although on the Internet, almost anything goes.
www.eharmony.com  Uses a patented system that matches people based on compatibility.  Based on your answers to a lengthy questionnaire, you receive matches selected for you through their system.  You then decide which pre-screened matches you would like to contact.  eHarmony is one of the pricier online services, but probably has more people seriously looking for love because of that.  Site offers a good listing of safe dating tips and other info for success.

www.match.com  Has been around since 1995 and is still going strong.  You peruse profiles to find the people you’re interested in.  All communication filters through an anonymous email system so your contact info stays private.  Members pay a monthly fee, and gift memberships are available.  Site offers a good listing of safe dating tips and other info for success.  Also has a popular sister-site, http://www.chemistry.com, which is slightly different, but works in a similar way.

www.lavalife.com  This Canadian company began with telephone dating introductions in 1987 and now offers members in the USA and Canada connections via the web, mobile, and voice mail.  There are three types of communities: Dating, Relationship, and Intimate Encounters.  Caters to a faster-paced, open-minded population.  Site offers minimal safe dating tips, and a brief code of ethics. You can read articles from their online pub, CLICK, for free and check out profiles, but you have to be a paying subscriber to get full use of the site.

www.plentyoffish.com A free site that claims to get its revenue from advertising.  Members look through profile listings, and can take it a step further by filling out information to be used with the site’s Chemistry Predictor and Needs Assessment options.  Members are able to rate the online photos of other members, and have their photos rated as well.  Site offers a fair technical help section and a user forum offering a variety of topics, but no safety tips or success advice.
www.okcupid.com  Another free matchmaking site that has limited advertising and accepts donations rather than charging users a set fee.  Users take a series of tests created by staff members and other users to determine possible matches, but are able to view profiles without testing.  This site can also be used by people searching for friends only and pen pals, which may be one reason for their many International members.

While most online dating sites cater to all types of singles, there are some designed specifically for niche groups such as Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Native, and African American people looking for someone from the same faith or ethnicity.  Visit IT’S ALL ABOUT HER online at type in a keyword search “her” to see a list of specialty dating sites and ten tips for safely meeting your cyber match in person.