I'm looking for information on the behaviors and demographcis of
individuals who use online dating sites.  This is a pretty broad
question--b/c I'm not 100% sure of what I'm looking for.

Who uses online dating sites?
What are their demographcies? 
What is most important?

I want to understand the thought processes behind who they are, why
they use them and what they are looking for.  I suspect that there are
research or analyst reports that would have some of this sort of
information.  I just can't find them.

Happy to answer clarifying questions.  

Thanks!

justwondering..

Thanks for an interesting question.  You are correct in assuming that
market studies have been done for online dating services.  The reason
is that the online dating service (ODS) market is huge.  This industry
makes over $900 million dollars a year, according to a study done in
November of 2002 by MarketData.  Another study done by Ipsos-Reid for
Lavalife (an online dating service) gives you an idea of who is using
these services and why:

Out of 1000 respondents (500 male/500 Female):
28% were aged 18-34
42% were ages 35-54
28% were ages 55 and older

40% had an income of $50K or greater
29% had an income of $25-49K
20% had an income of less than $25K

35% were from the South
23% were from the Midwest
21% were from the West
19% were from the Northeast

62% had children

71% had some college or a degree

81% were white

Here are the response to some questions they were asked, which will
give you an indication of why they use these services:

52% felt that they had a better or equal chance of meeting someone
online rather than in a singles bar

However, only 40% felt that a relationship started online had a better
or equal chance of success.

The key stat, I think, was that 70% would not recommend using online
dating services to their friends.

A key reason given for the increase in ODS is September 11th.  People
feel safer at home, yet they need interaction.  These services allow
for some anonymity, yet create a sense of interaction with others. 
Another reason is control over the pace of the relationship, being
able to truly learn about someone (though some would argue that fact)
and other control factors.

Thanks for your question and I hope the above information has been
helpful.  If you need any additional clarification, please let me know
prior to rating my answer.

Regards,

-THV

Search Strategy:
dating service demogrphics
why people use online dating services

References:
Move Over Single’s Bars, Online Dating Taking Hold 
http://www.ipsosreid.com/media/dsp_displaypr_us.cfm?id_to_view=1635

The U.S. Dating Services Industry
http://www.mkt-data-ent.com/studies.html#DATING

I'm so sorry it took me so long to respond!  I got caught up in other things.

Thanks!

Hi justwondering and tar_heel_v...

If I may add my humble comment here...besides the obvious reasons
being that people are busy with increased work obligations, time
constraints and general stress from a fast paced lifestyle, the
internet " dating" scene offers one major benefit that regular " real
life " first dates do not.
And that is the opportunity to get to really "know" a person without
that ever present vanity and "looks" interference.
How many first dates can we all remember where all we thought about
was " does he think I'm ugly?" or " I hope she doesn't think I look
nerdy "? What a hindrance that is to getting to know the "real" person
beyond the physical appearance.Internet "dating" usually starts with
months and months of "getting to know you" via the computer and
therefore may  be a more concise approach if someone is looking to get
to know a person much better and deeper before the actual "face to
face" meeting.
I personally, from my years on community boards and in chatrooms, have
found this to be the unanimous response to meeting people via the
internet.