We do a lot of things in life that could be considered bad ideas. We order another drink when we should go home and get some sleep. We skip going to the gym and binge watch something on Netflix or Disney+ instead. We spend our paycheck on clothes and sweets rather than putting it in a high-interest savings account.
From an objective standpoint, it’s easy to see that these are bad ideas that won’t pay off in the long run. But, is joining a dating site considered a bad idea? These days, it seems like everyone is online dating; however, some people are still on the sidelines wondering if it’s actually worth it.
We’re here to answer those questions as well as provide some insights into why using a dating site is a good use of your time.
Yes, Dating Sites are a Good Idea!
The short answer is absolutely — dating sites were a good idea when they were first created in the 1990s, and they’re still a good idea today. We’ve provided a more detailed answer is below. In this article, you’ll find seven ways dating sites have changed our lives for the better.
1. You Have Thousands of Platforms to Choose From
Founded in 1995, Match was the first dating site ever, and it was so popular that other platforms started launching not long after. Now the count is up to about 8,000, with 2,500 platforms just in the United States. With this many options, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a site that you like and that will work for you based on your goals.
- Relationships: Friends, Dates, and Relationships
- Match System: Browse by zip, age, appearance, more
- Our Experts Say: “Match pairs a large dating pool with search filters specific enough to make that size useful rather than overwhelming.” Our Review »
- Browse Free: View Photos Now
In addition to general dating sites, like Match, that cater to everyone, you’ll find gay dating sites, senior dating sites, black dating sites, relationship-oriented dating sites, hookup sites, “Star Trek” dating sites, vegan dating sites, and golf dating sites, among so many others. Seriously, we could go on and on. For more examples, check out our list of the top 100 dating sites.
2. You Can Online Date Whenever You Want, Wherever You Want
One of the biggest advantages of online dating is that you’re not limited by time, location, or whatever else is going on in your day. You can log in and look for dates wherever you are, whenever it works for you.
You don’t have to wait for coffee shops and bars to open. You don’t have to sit around hoping your friends will set you up with someone. You don’t have to get all dressed up to go out, only to come home without meeting anyone you click with. Instead, you can relax at home in your PJs and see who stands out.
3. Browsing and Flirting is 100% Free
Joining a dating site isn’t really a gamble because you’re not putting any money on the line. Pretty much every dating site allows you to register, fill out a profile, upload several photos, search for matches, receive matches, and flirt (e.g., virtual winks and Favorites lists) for free.
You can have a look around and see if the dating site measures up to your expectations, and if someone special catches your eye.
Just like trying on clothes or test-driving a car, you can try a dating site before making any real commitment. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, you can cancel the free membership, and the team will remove your information. Simple as that.
4. Dating Sites Have Millions of Members
Dating is a numbers game, and dating sites can help you win that game because of their sizes. For example, Zoosk has more than 40 million members, eharmony has more than 33 million members, Tinder has more than 50 million monthly users, and OkCupid has more than 3.5 million active members.
You’ll pretty much never run out of online crushes to talk to as long as you have popular dating sites like these as your wingman.
Where else can you be around that many people? If you go to a bar or club, you’ll probably see 50 to 100 people there, depending on the size of the venue, but that also includes people who are already taken. On a dating site, you know people are single and looking to meet someone.
5. You Can Filter By Your Preferences
Another great thing about dating sites is that you don’t have to apologize for knowing what you want. They’re not there to judge you. They’re there to help you find the right match. Search filters can include age range, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, location, ethnicity, religion, education level, lifestyle habits, and interests. That way, you can handle your dealbreakers upfront and focus on people who are a better fit.
Feel free to be as specific and as vague as you want when searching for a partner online. A lot of dating sites also let you save searches and start all over whenever you want to, and they’ll make suggestions based on those searches as well as your on-site behavior.
6. Online Dating Can Be Safer Than Meeting People in Bars
Think about it: When going out to a bar, you have no idea who the other patrons are or what their intentions are. You’re going in blind, which is why online dating can be safer than traditional dating.
Some dating sites require singles to sign up through Facebook, which helps ensure they are who they say they are. Other dating sites run background checks. Some dating sites use SSL encryption to keep scammers away and protect their members’ information. Some dating sites verify every new member.
There are systems in place to keep you safe while online dating. You can block or report a dating profile if you feel nervous, uncomfortable, or unsafe, and you don’t have to meet anyone in person unless you get a good vibe.
7. There are Dozens of Success Stories
Online dating works, and the the proof is in the pudding. By pudding, we mean all the positive reviews and success stories.
You can read all about a dating site before joining, so you’re going into it with lots of helpful information. Check out reviews like ours, and visit the dating site’s success stories page to see who’s already found love.
For example, Mariah and Justin are one of Match’s dozens of online dating success stories. She joined the site not expecting to meet anyone, and a few days later she got an email from Justin. They went to get coffee on their first date, and a year and a half later, he proposed to her in the same coffee shop.
“You never know how your story is going to start. We didn’t expect ours to begin with a profile, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! We are so excited to begin planning our wedding and cannot wait for our next adventure,” Mariah said.
You Won’t Know If You Like Online Dating Unless You Try It
Dating sites are probably the most effective and helpful tools available to singles today. They save us time, energy, and money — not to mention they’re a lot of fun. If you’re on the fence about online dating, we’ve just given you a good list of reasons why you really don’t need to be. It’s at least worth a try, and if you decide it’s not for you, that’s totally fine. But if you never try online dating, you’ll always wonder what you might be missing out on. Good luck!
