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Web Exclusive…
Abbreviated Guide to Matchmaking Services
By Sacha E. Cohen
This sampling of online and offline matchmaking resources will help you get back in the dating game in no time
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Whether you're an extrovert who wants to meet as many potential mates in one night as possible or a shy type who prefers a more laissez-faire approach, there's a matchmaking service out there for you.
ONLINE
All of the following sites require free registration and most allow you to browse, post a profile, and view your first potential matches for free. Membership fees then enable you to contact other users.
Date.com
With more than 2 million current members, this is one of the largest online dating sites; approximately 10 percent of users are age 50 and over.
• Cost: $24.95 per month or $95.95 per year
eHarmony.com
This popular relationship-building service uses "scientific matching" to link like-minded singles. Currently eHarmony has 1.4 million registrants; 20 percent are 50-plus.
• Cost: Free to take personality profile and then $59.95 per month or $251.40 per year
Jdate.com
Jewish singles can mingle with more than 600,000 other registered members; approximately 20 percent are 50-plus.
• Cost: $34.99 per month or $149.99 for six months
Match.com
This service has more than a million current members; approximately 18 percent are 45-plus.
• Cost: $29.99 per month or $99 per year
Matchmaker.com
Matchmaker.com has had more than 10 million users worldwide since it launched, and claims to have the most in-depth profiles of the leading online dating sites. Approximately 8 percent of members are over 55.
• Cost: $9.95 per month
Yahoo! Personals
According to Jupiter Research, this website has more than 4 million individual visitors per month. A demographic breakdown was unavailable.
• Cost: $24.95 per month or $74.95 for six months
OFFLINE
8MinuteDating
Attendees at these $35 events get eight one-on-one dates that last eight minutes each. If people are mutually interested in meeting again, 8MinuteDating provides contact information. The operation boasts more than 65,000 users and occasionally organizes events for the 50-plus crowd.
Hurry Date
This hybrid online- and speed-dating service regularly hosts events for people 40 and over. Meet 10 or more potential partners in just a few hours, let a coordinator know who piqued your interest, and you’ll be notified of mutual matches via email. After the party, you can continue to browse Hurry Date’s member profiles online.
Single Gourmet
Combine a passion for fine fare with your romantic pursuits. Visit the site for links to a chapter near you; costs for events and membership vary by region.
Updated September 2006
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