Match.com to Use Anonymous Voice Chat

CDT -- Oct 31 -- Online dating services may be convenient, but they're not the most personable way to meet a potential mate. What's been lacking, Match CEO Jim Safka believes, is a way for would-be couples to hear each other talk. Free for basic subscribers beginning Thursday, matchTalk will let users go online and signal if they're interested in speaking to each other anonymously, and securely, over their telephones. The system uses new computer-based phone technology that allows each person to call in to a central conference call of sorts, Safka said. The matchTalk system assigns the couple a unique number that they can use to talk to each other without fear of giving away their real telephone number or other personal details. Safka said such features are important to the future growth of Internet dating services. "Voice is really critical in determining whether you have chemistry with someone."

Mark Brooks: We'll see more online dating sites add voice connection services soon.  I'm working with Vumber.com on a service designed for internet dating sites to offer voice connections and anonymous calling.  A super simple, and higher converting service. Past services have been too complicated. I'm adding MatchTalk to my (CEO's eyes only) 45 point review of 17 other competing services (Grand Central, Jangl, Jajah, Useplane) right now.  The most amusing service I came across recently was Getmooh.com.

Comments

[Tim]

Hello, Mark,

Thanks for picking up on this Match.com news. My CEO would love a copy of the report when it is ready. His name is Michael Cerda, and he's CEO at Jangl, Inc. -- which is the technology behind matchTalk.

I sent you a note today offering to share more about Jangl, and I hope you take me up on our offer!

In the meantime, good luck with Vumber. I applaud your disclosure in revealing that they're a client of yours, but I'm still curious about your opinion of the new matchTalk service.

Thanks. Holler back at me any time.

tim

[David Evans]

Providing anonymous phone numbers is ridiculously simple. Providing them with the features and functionality useful to the different contexts found in social networking and dating is non-trivial. There will most likely be 3 players, cheap, medium and expensive, the market has shown it cannot bear any more than that.

Mark, save your typing, all the players have already contacted most dating sites and pitched them on their services.

[Saïd Amin]

I am more than happy to hear from providers. Please feel free to drop me a line. Catering to mostly ethnic niches where English is usually the second language, a phone service would be well received.

Life,
-S