Online dating was one of the few paid content success stories of the dotcom boom. Now, social networking sites such as MySpace offer free online dating to millions. Are dedicated online dating sites losing potential subscribers to these sites? What are they doing to keep existing users and find new ones?
Attention: Marketers, Advertising Agencies, Dating and Social Networking Sites and Portals.
The Online Dating report explores the evolving world—and business—of dating and socializing on the Internet.
As recently as 2003, the total revenue generated by online dating sites was growing at more than 70% annually. But today online dating is a mature, and crowded, market. Sites now specialize in matching people of specific races, religions, interests and professions, and there are multiple sites competing in each of these niches.
Now another online movement is rising as a competitive threat to online dating sites. Social networking sites such as MySpace.com and Friendster offer online dating as one of the ways people may connect and communicate—and they are free.

Key questions the "Online Dating" report answers:
- Do online dating sites actually compete with social networking sites?
- Which sites of both types are getting the most traffic?
- Which strategies are online dating sites using to convert browsers into subscribers?
- And many more...
eMarketer Reports—On-Target and Up-to-Date
The Online Dating report aggregates the latest data from leading marketing and communications researchers with eMarketer numbers, projections and analysis to give you the comprehensive range of information you need to make smart, timely business decisions.
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Online dating was one of the few paid content success stories of the dotcom boom. Now, social networking sites such as MySpace offer free online dating to millions. Are dedicated online dating sites losing potential subscribers to these sites? What are they doing to keep existing users and find new ones?
Impetus
Top Five Online Dating Sites among US At-Home, At-Work and University Internet Users, 2004-2005 (thousands of unique visitors)
Leading Social Networking Websites among US Internet Users, 2004-2005 (thousands of unique visitors)
Overview
Issues & Questions
The eMarketer Outlook
Implications for Your Business
For Online Dating Sites
For Social Networking Sites
For Online Advertising Companies
A. The Old Flame
Growth of Revenues for Online Personals Websites, 2002-2005 (% increase vs. the prior year)
US Consumer Spending on Online Content, by Content Category, First half 2004 & 2005 (millions and % increase/decrease vs. prior year)
Top Websites Used to Find Relationships according to US Internet Users, January 2006 (% of respondents)
B. The New Flame
US Visitors to Select Social Networking Websites, November 2004 & November 2005 (millions of unique users)
Market Share Growth Rate of Select Social Networking Sites, December 2004-December 2005
US Visitors to Select Social Networking Websites, by Age, October 2005 (composition index*)
C. Maintaining the Spark
Single Purchases vs. Subscription Sales of Online Content in the US, by Category, First half 2005 (% of total paid content revenues)
Related Information and Links
Related Links
Related Charts
Suggested Keywords for eStat Database
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Online dating was one of the few paid content success stories of the dotcom boom. Now, social networking sites such as MySpace offer free online dating to millions. Are dedicated online dating sites losing potential subscribers to these sites? What are they doing to keep existing users and find new ones?
comScore Inc.
comScore Media Metrix
Experian Hitwise
Global Market Insite (GMI)
JupiterResearch
Online Publishers Association (OPA)