« Reese and Ryan Call It Quits | Main | Want To Meet A Wealthy Man? »
November 3, 2006
Profile Padding on Dating Sites
There is a belief out there that dating sites pad their membership numbers by adding profiles to their database for non-existent users. At Cupids Reviews, we know this to be a fact. It’s hard to say which dating sites are doing it and which aren’t. You can’t tell a real profile from one that’s not. All you have to go on is your gut. That feeling can make the difference between a good online dating experience and one that zaps your faith in the digital machine forever.
When I first started dating online, I set a profile up at Lavalife. Lavalife remains one of my favorite sites because of the ease of use, how slick it runs and the token system it has in place. People would send me smiles and I would send one back, but rarely would I get an email from them. An email costs money to send. It doesn’t cost a lot of money—just under $2 for an email. However, that amount can add up if you’re not careful. After taking a few hits from people who sent smiles but didn’t write back after I paid to open up the lines of communication, I realized that a new strategy was needed. I am not saying Lavalife pads profiles or hires people to fish out emails from members. It’s one of the most popular sites on the Net and it certainly wouldn’t have to resort to such tactics if it didn’t want to. However, there seemed like there could be the possibility for such abuse and I wasn’t about to get taken for a ride, if that was the case. I quickly made a rule not to pay for any signs of interest that I didn’t send first. That’s done both me and my bank account a world of good over the years.
After I became familiar with online dating, I began to realize that I could tell how busy a site was by looking at different factors such as the last login date and the amount of people who visited on any given day. I made sure to stick to sites where only one person had to pay to open communication with someone else. I found good sites and saved maximum coin while having the best time. Now I rate dating sites. It’s funny how this has come full circle.
My one recommendation would be to stay away from adult dating sites. A lot of them are run by porn companies and they are little more than glorified adult sites. I know that a number of them started up with thousands of profiles and we all know that that would be impossible. As long as you keep your head about you, you should be able to avoid these types of pitfalls in online dating. And if you’re in doubt, just drop me an email and I’ll make sure you get pointed in the right direction!
Posted by CupidsReviews Doug at November 3, 2006 1:32 PM
Comments
Does this apply to Christian Dating Services as well?
Posted by: David Butler at November 8, 2006 9:16 PM
Your comments on padded sites are interesting but curious when you write there is no way to prevent or tell if a profile is padded. There is and on ligitimate sites it is part of the profile.
This is accomplished by member validation of other members they have met or spoken with personally and know for a fact they are who they say they are, that they are in the location claimed and actually a male or female. Yes there might be a way around this but I have not found validated profile systems to be cheated upon so far. The validation doesn't declare the member has had sex but merely states they are a real person in the city stated. That is enough.
My final comment is that the cupidsreviews writer above has a much higher opinion of lavalife than mine. Their token system will drive you nuts and cost you lots of bucks with no assurance of a connection. You can do better on yahoo personals if you want to waste money. Better, get a site that lets you pay once for a lifetime membership with full features. The typical rate is around a hundred dollars. There will be no further fees. I rate lavalife the grade of D. It is not useless but close.
Dating sites work best for couples, not singles. Singles are better off to become a volunteer at the museum, botanical garden, or computer club of choice, enjoy common interests, develop some rapport and have sex. It works, is good for the community and you don't have to pay anything for the relationships or the sex.
Good luck.
Posted by: feather69 at November 10, 2006 10:56 AM
Interesting - it had not occurred to me that sites might pad themselves out with "virtual" members! However I am proud to say that I have never spent one penny (or more!) on these garbage dating-sites; anything run for commercial gain in this field is certain to attract losers!
I am an old guy from the inchoate days of the Net when such sites were experimental and truly, completely FREE. However most of the better ones eventually sold out to the commercial crooks. I stayed only with Canada's 50plus, which had a section (but increasingly hidden behind lavalife etc,) that was truly free. No bells and whistles, but gave you the opportunity of contacting anyone posting a profile. Hundreds of women have written to me over the years and several (serial!) relationships ensued, but unfortunately none survived; and now the contacts have completely ceased since 50plus has itself now given in to commercial pressure - I suspect it has been swallowed by American 50plus. That free section (Net Friends) still exists, but now for newbies is almost impossible to find.
I think there is a great need for absolutely FREE, safe, genuine "friendship" contact sites and I bet there must be some set up by guys like me - had a lead to one in Alberta created by disgruntled ex-50plusers - but that's very limited in all ways.
So Tyric if you know of any such (non-religious!) sites please let me know - time is running out! :-)
Posted by: derek aka brumman at November 11, 2006 3:39 AM
An addendum to my previous comment on your excellent article/blog (how I hate that word and actually the whole activity!):
Here's some info I just discovered on the connections and ownership of commercial dating sites:
"Service is provided by Spark Networks plc, whose principal office is located at 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 ("Spark Networks").
This Agreement applies to all of Our sites that are offering the Service including AmericanSingles.com, Spark.com, JDate.com, JDate.co.il, Glimpse.com, MatchNet.de, MatchNet.co.uk, MatchNet.com.au, CollegeLuv.com."
Plus it seems, Date.ca (canadian singles). How many more of the 'dating' services do they own?
Posted by: brumman at November 11, 2006 3:58 AM
I want a relationship that will lead to a possible marriage with a responsible man.
Posted by: beckky smith at February 15, 2007 11:57 PM
Can you tell me if Hi5.com and Sparks Network are affiliated with any type of porn sites?
Posted by: Monica at January 13, 2008 2:30 PM
It is just plain wrong that so called reputable sites like Match.com, Yahoo Personal, and Singlesnet have padded membership. There is nothing more frustrating in getting a response that looks legit then subbscribing to respond to the email to find out it is a ploy just to get you to pay. Something must be done to protect people and to make for a fair playing ground. It may not be illegal but should be since it is fraudulant! If anyone has a voice on this issue or has any ideas to protect online dating patrons let me know or post it here. If people pay for services on these sites at the least they should not be bombarded with fake profiles and tactice to make them empty there wallets.
Posted by: Mike Aubin at March 28, 2008 2:29 PM
Yes, it is VERY wrong that these sites are ALL padded!! Just to use your emotions to make money!! I have encountered multiple padded profiles and I seem to have this ability to pick the phonies everytime!!! We are the only ones that can change this. It is up to us, to make our voices heard!!! It's just wrong!
Posted by: Gina at April 25, 2008 1:34 PM
