Results are Proof
It is estimated that over 23 million people browsed at least one online dating service every month in the U.S. during 2009. Nearly one third of all U.S. adult say they know someone who has used an online dating service. The services must be working because more than 125,000 marriages occurred as a result of online dating in 2009.
Still Growing
More than 5 million consumers contributed to the $250 million overall that was spent on online dating services in the United States last year. Online dating service users in the U.S. each spent an average of $250 in 2008. Although the online dating industry continues to grow, there were several weak months in mid-2009 thought to be due to economic concerns.
Free or Pay Site?
Many of the free online dating websites offer the same features as pay sites. A free site may have thousands of members as well as email, instant messaging and search functions. In the beginning, most pay sites allowed their paid members to initiate contact and non-paying members could respond without incurring charges. Today, almost all pay sites do not allow non-paying members to contact paying members.