INTERNET DATING INDUSTRY

Internet Dating Industry

Abstract

Online social networks can be found everywhere from chatting websites like MSN, blogs such as MySpace to social media such as YouTube and second life. Among them, there is one interesting type of online social networks, online dating network that is growing fast. This paper analyzes an online dating network from social network analysis point of view. The Online Dating industry has performed well over the five years to 2011. Revenue gains averaged 1.0% per year over the five-year period to reach $1.9 billion in 2011, with consumers increasingly turning to the internet to meet prospective dates. Companies in the industry that provided subscription-based membership, however, faced revenue declines during 2008 and 2009 due to declining per capita disposable income levels during the recession. Fortunately, revenue has grown consistently over the rest of the five-year period. This paper utilized a number of social network analysis methods to understand the people behavior in an online dating network.

Innovations in the Internet Dating Industry and Maintaining Competitive Advantage

Introduction

Online dating sites are a unique laboratory for understanding human relationship initiation, development and self-identified success. Presently, online dating research is scattered across numerous disciplines. An integrated, interdisciplinary discourse of how technology mediates the initiation and maintenance of relationships is necessary to advance the research and development of information and communication technologies to support online relationship formation. For example, the work of the organizers suggests that there are different views of what a successful online dating relationship looks like, depending on the socio-technical context (Adamic, 2010).

Companies in the industry provide services that allow clients to meet with other clients, usually with the intent of pursuing romantic relationships. Services can be provided via phone, internet, magazine and newspaper. The industry also includes companies that organize singles events such as speed dating. It does not include social networking sites.

Thesis Statement

The paper describes the problem of authenticity and success rates in Internet Dating websites, and how they achieve and maintains competitive advantage in this industry while maintaining ethics and corporate responsibility.

Keywords and Significance of the Study

The study suggests that in the new millennium the Internet dating has become a widespread business. As social networking sites have skyrocketed in popularity with millions of users using social networking websites every day. Most commonly, online social networks serve as a virtual community where users make friends, keep in touch with old friends, share pictures and inform the world of major and minuscule life events. Face book (www.facebook.com) and Twitter (http://twitter.com) are good examples of online social networking. Online social networks are referred to as any online community where users interact with one another and form relations.

Thus the keywords in this research used were Online Dating Network, Social Network Analysis, User profile, User preference.

Industry Outlook

The Online Dating industry will experience sustained revenue growth over the five years to 2016. Industry revenue is forecast to rise at an average annualized rate of 2.8% to $2.2 billion by ...