The History of Online Dating
by Andrew Summersgill
Editor
Friday, 19th December 2008
Online Dating first emerged in the mid-late 1990's, as a result of the evolution of web technology moving from simple, static HTML pages over to more powerful database driven, dynamic systems that could be queried by multiple, simultaneous users.
Online dating has its roots in computer dating systems which became popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Computer dating was conducted in the offices of introduction agencies, mainly in large cities in the United States and UK. The customer was asked a series of generic personality questions that were, by means of punched cards, fed into a database stored on magnetic tape. The responses were used to query the stored data and a list of compatible potential partners was eventually generated and the two clients introduced.
It is unclear which was the first online dating site to launch. However a best guess would be Match.com, launched by Gary Kremen and Peng T. Ong as a free beta site in August 1994. The site was launched as a proof of concept and was a originally conceived as on online classifieds platform with it's aim to provide online classified advertising space to newspapers. As the development cycle continued the designers realised it's potential as an personals/matchmaking system and the development continued along this path until it's main launch in 1998.
The first online dating sites worked in a similar way the their predecessor, computer dating, matching potential partners using a number of generic personality and lifestyle questions. As the sites evolved this form of personality matching became less prevalent and the user was given the ability to search potential for partners based on lifestyle features that appealed to them. Messaging facilities were introduced and users became able to communicate via the sites without initially disclosing personal details.
At time of writing Match.com is reputed to have 15 million registered users, 1.35 million of whom are paying. Turnover figures are estimated at $350,0000 annually with a global staff in seven offices of 340.
It should be noted that a site retains the complex personality metrics (similar to 60's computer dating) for matchmaking purposes is eHarmony. This site has also proven very popular in both across the world and is reputed to have in excess of 10 million registered users at time of writing.
Many thousands of online dating sites have launched since the mid 1990's whilst a small number of dating sites still remain prevalent. Match.com retains is position as global market leader however Dating Direct and it's associated network of sites are closing the gap. In recent years niche dating sites have launched, designed to appeal to special interest groups. Sites specially designed for military personnel, the nursing profession and even those seeking to have marital affairs have all received publicity.
A further development of the online dating model are sites deigned to facilitate casual sexual encounters, such as BeNaughty.com. Less concerned with introducing people for dating and potentially marriage the adult dating sites attract people looking for short term sexual gratification with multiple partners. Like mainstream online dating the adult dating sites are now entering the niche market offering sites for those with specific sexual kinks. An example would be the sites dedicated to such pastimes as dogging other similar outdoor pursuits.
What does the future hold for the online dating industry? It's now regarded as a mainstream activity, certainly in most western nations, for affluent young professionals. It's functionality is only bound by technology and technology is moving forward very quickly indeed. Many believe the future of online dating lies with mobile technology. The mobile internet is at an early stage in it's development cycle and overall take-up is currently low. This is set to change and undoubtedly the online dating market will react to this. Mobile internet devices are evolving and usability is improving. Their ability to provide a worthwhile and transact able (financially) user experience is just around the corner.
Many believe emerging GPS and location-based technology integrated in the latest mobile devises will soon be tailored to work in concert with existing online dating applications.
How far online dating technology will advance is anyone's guess. The salient fact remains that online dating is the second most financially successful, subscription-based service on the internet today after pornography. With a financial bounty this large the industry can afford the very best minds in the world to insure it's development, profitability and future success.
topic tags: eharmony, match.com, online dating
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about the author
As Managing Director of London's premier speed dating firm Original Dating, Andrew has huge experience of the dating scene and has been helping people meet since 2002. Andrew co-founded Dating Trail in 2008 and is a driving force behind this website.
Coverage includes: London speed dating | Birmingham speed dating | Manchester speed dating | Brighton speed dating | Bristol speed dating | and more...
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