A big firestorm blazed across the internet last fall [2005] when both Yahoo.com and
Match.com were hit with a class-action lawsuit alleging that they used fake accounts to
entice people to become paid members. We won't comment on the legitimacy of these
allegations but we're writing this article to provide our readers with a few simple
pointers about just what the online dating game is really all about.

The internet is VAST. Think of it as a large playing field and on that field there are some 
legitimate players and others that are just looking to scam people and then disappear. 
Scams work very well on the net because of the numbers involved. Only a response rate
of a half a percent can mean BIG INCOME for any online site if that site has tons of 
traffic. With that in mind, of course some unscrupulous people are going to set up online 
dating services that are outright frauds. But here are a few simple rules you can follow 
to protect your wallet and safeguard your pride, as well.
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FACT #1
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As far as online dating services go....bigger is not always better. The cases sited above 
are examples of that. Most big name companies that have a large presense on the internet 
don't actually run the dating sites themselves but employ secondary vendors to do such.
Again, all it's about the numbers. If BIG NAME COMPANY has millions of visitors per 
week and just a small percentage join their online dating service, that's still a potentially 
very lucrative commercial enterprise. So don't fall for the premise that a BIG NAME
COMPANY knows anything at all about the online dating business. 

They most likely do not. They are simply in it for the money.
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FACT #2
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There are several advantages to smaller online dating services and services that target a 
specific niche as opposed to dating services that are not specialized. [a niche is a segment of 
a market targeted to a specific audience] For example a BBW dating site is targeted 
to those who seek BIG BEAUTIFUL WOMEN to romance.  Alternately, there are sites 
that might target those individuals interested in the INTERRACIAL dating scene.

What then is the advantage of a niche dating site?

A small targeted site doesn't have as much throw-away traffic as a non-specialzed dating site 
might have. These sites are more narrowly focused and thus, are likely to take better care 
of the visitors they do draw. Look for a niche site that is well-written. Using the example of 
a BBW site, examine if the site is written by an author who knows what he/she is talking about.
Big Beautiful Women have certain needs and expectations when it comes to a dating site
supposedly designed for them. If the site design doesn't reflect that, be very skeptical. For
example, notice if there even any links to other BBW-related sites? These are all cues you
can use to access the legitimacy of the site. As a final option go a step further BEFORE you 
join, write to their support desk and see what kind of response you get.

Also, it's harder for an unscrupulous site to fake dozens of accounts for specific type of people.
You have to know what you're talking about in any niche market. It's hard to fake something 
you don't already have a lot of knowledge about or a real interest in. It can take time to 
research the ins and outs of a niche market, or to find individuals who already know the 
market and are willing to commit fraud against people.

Therefore niche sites are often too much work as scammers are usually looking for the 
quick buck.
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FACT #3
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There are two general kinds of dating sites online that you probably already know about.
There are free dating sites and paid sites that allow you to join as free, but if you want to
respond to a member's mail [ the specifics as to what you are allowed to do as a paid vs. free
member varies from vendor to vendor  ] you have to pay a fee. Free sites are typically of the 
"you get what you pay for" variety. So expect that. Most free dating sites are loaded with
annoying banner advertisements, pop-ups or pop-unders, and also spam those who do join.
Here's another important point. If the site isentirely free - meaning no payment of any kind is
required - how serious are the people on the site about finding a quality person to begin a
relationship with? There is an addage in sales that is as old as time itself. If a customer at some
point won't commit to even a small payment, it's a sign that the salesman hasn't really made 
the sale. Or even worse. He is wasting his time with a dead fish.

That's the major advantage to spending your online time at a paid dating site rather than on 
a free one. You'll tend to avoid freeloaders, people with bad credit, unemployed people, or 
people with an unsavory personal background. In other words, a payment requirement can 
often weed out troublemakers beforehand and save you a headache. If you're contacting a
dating club member who has paid a fee to be on the site, you're more likely to encounter 
someone who is serious and is not just on a lark looking for some sick thrill.

Unfortunately, there is no way to get around this particular rule. "You get what you pay 
for...and when you pay nothing...you usually get nothing of value in 
return."
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Article Summary:
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We've offered just a few generalities about the online dating business. Don't be afraid of the 
smaller sites and niche sites. There are truly some gems out there. And don't be hesistant to 
become a paid member if you find an online dating service that appeals to you. It's a quick 
way to avoid people who aren't serious and who may have other agendas on their mind.

Here are a few final tips. Lots of people use free email accounts such as Hotmail or 
Yahoo mail as "spam traps." [ a spam trap is a throwaway address given in lieu of a real 
email address that the owner wants to keep clear of unsolicited commercial email aka UCE.] 
If after a couple of mails a person can't or won't give you a regular email address that's attached
to an isp account, awebsite, or their employment, then you have a right to doubt the 
legitimacy of the person you're communicating with.

A final word on free email accounts. Some online dating clubs won't accept free email 
accounts if a person wants to become a paid member. If you can find a club you like with
this requirement, so much the better.

Another method to weed out fakes is to ask for phone varification. With all the low cost phone
services available, price and distance are no longer excuses for not being given a phone 
number. It might be considered rude to ask for a phone verification with the first couple
of responses to your mail, but if you're having doubts it's always a tool you can employ.

Lastly, never agree to meet someone you don't know in a secluded spot or outside of the 
public eye. An online identity or "phone personality" is easy to fake. Scammers may have
dozens of them. Don't make a final judgement about a person until you actually meet them. 
Always ask for that quick reference such as a school, church, an old summer job, mutual
acquaintances even. If you're in the middle of a dinner with someone supposedly born 
and raised in your hometown and you hit them with an easy question and they stumble 
around for an answer, it might be time to ask for the check and get out of there!

There's no reason to fear online dating. It is here to stay just as the internet is here to stay. 
Browse around and rely upon your common sense. However, if you remain reluctant 
to utilize all available measures to in order find a special someone, you might never come 
across them. 

So don't let the few bad apples out there spoil your online dating fun.

LoveIsTheOnlyColor.com
© Copyright 2006
All Rights Reserved.

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