LISA GUALTIERI'S BLOG - Jan 12 - Online dating is one of the most successful online businesses. I was curious about the implications of the success of online dating sites for health website design. I contacted Mark Brooks, an analyst and consultant to the internet dating industry who runs the industry news blog, OnlinePersonalsWatch.com.
Lisa: What is the newest trend in online dating? Is there an online health parallel?
Mark: Niche dating sites are springing up. Support groups, similarly: whatever the illness, there’s a support group online.
Lisa: Online dating is trying new approaches to matching people. What works best?
Mark: Personality profiling sites like eHarmony allow people to ‘not fall in love with the wrong person.’ They do the hard work of fixing people up, and use the best information available today, on psychology, sociology, anthropology, a la matchmaking.
Lisa: Do you personally try out online dating sites?
Mark: I prefer speed dating, parties, and meeting people in real life.
Lisa: Which features do you like best in sites?
Mark: Personality profiling and webcam based dating, along with location-based services.
Lisa: Do you go online when you need health information?
Mark: When I am ill, I’m heading online to check what my doctor tells me.
Lisa: What can online health learn from online dating?
Mark: I’d love to see a search engine that matches people with other people in support groups, like them. Same illness, same geographic area.
FULL ARTICLE @ LISA GUALTIERI'S BLOG. Also read in PSYCHOLOGY TODAY.
