There are two types of online dating sites. The first being a broad internet dating site with members from a variety of backgrounds seeking different relationships. Then there are dating sites specifically designed to cater to a specific market (eg. Christian dating, alternative lifestyle dating etc.) or area.

Absolutely Free Dating Sites

In 2005 Americans spent over $500 millions dollars on internet dating services making it the second highest earner in “paid content” on the web. However, many users do not realize that you can find sites that are absolutely free to join and use. Many of these discreet personal sites require a paid membership upgrade of some kind, but some of these sites are completely free.

Many online dating sites claim to be free. However, most will lure a customer in with a free sign up and, once they have completed their profile, expect them to pay to contact another member. This can be a way of increasing the membership numbers as well as providing more profiles, albeit inactive ones, for members to search. There are still completely free dating sites around, but the genuine ones can be hard to find. Some of the better free sites allow users to post free discreet personals (called personal ads) to a message board with the users contact information listed. An absolutely free dating sites allow registered users to contact members at no charge and do not require an upgraded membership like the paid content sites. Free dating sites are usually supported by advertisements.

“Twenty years from now, the idea that someone looking for love without looking for it online will be silly, akin to skipping the card catalog to instead wander the stacks because ‘the right books are found only by accident.’ Serendipity is the hallmark of inefficient markets, and the marketplace of love, like it or not, is becoming more efficient”

The above quote from Wired would have seemed slightly silly in 2002 when it was written, but the popularity of online dating does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon and free dating is no exception.

Free dating sites work in a very similar way to paid sites. Users are asked to sign up and create a profile with personal information including, but not limited to, age, gender, location, likes and dislikes. Most sites also allow users to upload a photo to go with their profile, which often has the added benefit of attracting more profile views. After a user has added their profile they can search through the users based on age range, gender, location, photos and many other specific criteria. Many sites claim to be free to “sign up” and then ask for money when a user wants to make contact with another member. Unlike these paid sites, free dating sites allow users to make contact with anyone listed on the site for free.

Most free dating sites use advertisements to cover operating costs, but some unscrupulous sites will sell your details. Remember to always check the terms and conditions.