Online Dating Search Tools
Search the following sites for dating tips, articles, and information using our custom index powered by Google:
[love.ivillage.com, drphil.com, womenslaw.org, oprah.com, abcnews.go.com, dating.about.com, myspace.com, askmen.com, psychology.com]
Free Dating Sites
Search for a date or partner at one of the free dating sites below or check out our dating sites reviewed page for notes on some of the top dating sites.
Google Base Personals Still a Beta version at this time but definitely worth looking at. Google Base pulls personal profiles from several sources including datehookup.com, golfmates.com, match.com, megafriends.com, and idealmate.com as well as from individual users. Sort features could use some refinement but you can still do the basic Gender, Location, Age, etc. filtering. Photos for many profiles.
Webdate.com They claim to be 100% free although we did notice a reference to "Automatic Renewal" and "Payment of Membership Fees" in the Terms And Conditions section. That may apply to an upgraded membership, we're not sure. The site does offer VIP and featured profiles.
We also noticed an ad on the site for another service that has members in my area. Wow, in my town today I have two hot female models, a hot lawyer, and several six figure income males. Who would have guessed.
Web Date does have a pretty impressive graphical tutorial that walks you though the sign up and navigation process which we liked. They also have what looks like a cool video chat and they do offer mobile service.
LatinLoveSearch.com The FAQ's of Latin Love Search say they can offer the service totally free because they only have a staff of two and virtually no overhead. They do run some Google ads, possibly that is how they generate a revenue stream. They also sell calling cards, a Spanish language course, and flowers are on the horizon. Ah, the language of love.
LoveTube.com More of a social networking video sharing type of site but you can probably make some sort of connection there. See a picture you like and click on it. If the user has a video you can play it. Only a handful of profiles listed right now but we think this site might take off. Upload your own video. LoveTube is currently 100% free.
Engage.com Social dating site. Basically, you meet people through an extended network of friends connected to the site. When you complete the free signup form you are asked if you want to "Meet other singles", "Play Matchmaker", or both. ABC News says "Engage.com is carving out a role for friends and family in the world of Internet dating." The Wall Street Journal says Engage.com is "One of the Internet's ten ways to find your lover."
Is what you see what you get?
Not always. Like you, we knew people sometimes lied about their age in personals profiles and maybe the profile photo wasn't always all that current. But who would actually switch a photo with someone else's? Did that really happen that much? What would be the point because eventually the potential date would see you. Why would an individual even bother?
Well, as it turns out it's not always the individual seeking a partner that does it. In the course of developing this site we were really shocked to find web sites that offered Web code scripts that swap the advertisers photo listings for a particular service with groups of photos that were more "presentable". By showing presentable pictures the sales conversions would likely be higher. Makes sense. That's why on some intro pages you see so many really hot girls or guys from small towns that barely have any singles to begin with.
We did a few searches on one suspicious site using a sparsely populated zip code in our local area. We then did a search using a zip code from another state and some of the same identical photos with some variations in the profile text appeared. Be cautious ... it's called bait and switch.
We're not sure if complaints are verified but one source you can check out a personal site at is Ripoff Report. Just type in a URL to view complaints or use the Dating services link so you can view all related complaints. Keep in mind that even the well established matching services get complaints from unsatisfied customers so keep it in perspective.
The Better Business Bureau also has an online presence and they do have a "Dating Category" you can search but you really have to know the corporate office location of the dating service you are checking to use it efficiently.
On a related but not as serious note. We were just browsing some Yahoo! links provided to us and ran across this title: "Yahoo! Personals has fired the models and now proudly displays actual subscribers in every banner". It's good to see a major site gets it.
Group Pages
Please see our Over 40, Senior Singles, Latin Singles, and the Single Parent Dating page for more specific searching.
Partners