OK, Something Nice about eHarmony. Maybe.
Yesterday, I wrote about the technological hurdle lots of older folks need to jump in order to find love online. Evidently, plenty are doing so: In a story published yesterday in the Miami Herald, Vanessa Petit wrote of Glenn Zimmerly (70) and Dorothy Williams (68) who met on eHarmony in September 2003.
Petit goes on to quote new figures for the growth of the presence of singles 55 and over on Internet dating sites. Match.com attracted 704,000 visitors 55 or older in January 2005, up from16% from January 2004 when the figure was 606,000. eHarmony reports a jump of an astounding 86% over the same time period, from 196,000 to 350,000. Note that the numbers for Match.com are double those of eHarmony, but an 86% growth deserves attention. Imatchup.com reports growth in the 55 and over category of as much as 30%. And remember, this is at a time when growth rates for the online dating industry as a whole have slowed considerably from previous piping hot rates in the past few years. Seniors are driving a good part of the growth that is occurring, it would appear.
What I wonder about is the gender ratios. I know, ho-hum, I go on and on about this, don’t I? See my earlier postings: “I wish I could recommend eHarmony, True.com or PerfectMatch, but I can’t!”, “Gender Ratios and Internet Dating and Relationship Sites” But eHarmony has had ratios that do not favor the ladies, in the 60/40 female to male range. And when men and women get older, the natural ratios get more and more out of wack, as the men die off, and the ones that live tend to go for younger women. Since eHarmony already appeals to women more than men, I suspect that the ratios favor men more and more as the ages go up. The good news again is for guys: whatever your age, if you want the numbers in your favor, head for eHarmony. But ladies, I am not so sure… And eHarmony, if I am wrong, tell me, okay?
From Your Romance Coach, Kathryn Lord
