Paid Dating Sites Declare War

THE PARADIGM SHIFT -- Jan 24 -- When I was at iDate 2 years ago most people laughed at me when I said I would create a major free dating site.  This year at iDate dating sites were talking about how they could go free.  It is strange to see a completely new internet bubble forming around what I’ve done.  The biggest problems I see are... Monetization via adsense 3 years ago was 10 times higher then it is now.  Free dating sites are way more hardware/resource intensive then paid sites and social networks.  As a free site I still have to pay $5 a member, just like paid sites.  I predict 2007 will be a year of carnage.  FULL POST @ THE PARADIGM SHIFT

Mark Brooks: Two years ago I chatted with Markus at iDate, respected him for his SEO work, but didn't take him too seriously.  I think Markus occupies a spot on the sales funnel just below social networks.  He funnels members into paid dating sites.  At the other end of the spectrum I'm seeing a significant trend towards paid dating sites trying to up the ante with regard to service levels and fees.  There will be a stratification of services this year with new pricepoints and service levels emerging.  Is a shake out looming?  Do other free dating services have a chance?  Markus is a picture of efficiency.  Is he beckoning fresh entrepreneurs and existing services into a black hole because of this check which revealed (see June post) that Markus was doing ever so slightly better than most would have assumed.  Your comments please...