USA TODAY - Dec 3 - The latest trend in online dating? Going offline as fast as you can. AARP is launching an idating service in partnership with HowAboutWe. 25% of AARP's 37M members are single and over half of the singles are under 70. Online dating industry consultant Mark Brooks says the AARP move into dating seems smart. "Seniors is a very good niche. Most dating sites skew toward guys, with more guys than women. But senior dating sites have more women. Being a 75 year old single man is the equivalent of being a 21year old hottie."
Older sites such as Match.com and newer ones such as DinnerDate, CupidRadar and Grouper, all are focusing on the importance of a personal connection offline. "I cringe a little when people describe it as online dating," said Michael Waxman, co-founder and CEO of Grouper. The typical experience for a Grouper member is to spend ~5 minutes on our website and ~2 hours at a bar with your friends." By the end of this year, Match.com say the site will have hosted ~ 2K events with 150K singles. PlentyofFish, a free online site, also hosts facetoface events.
by Sharon Jayson
See full article at USA Today
See all posts on HowAboutWe See all posts on DinnerDate
See all posts on POF.com See all posts on CupidRadar
See all posts on Match.com See all posts on Grouper
