Internet dating does it work

It's a numbers game.

With so many singles online -- 11 percent of the US population as of to be exact -- the probability of meeting someone and developing a successful relationship has increased. The platform and scale brought about by these online dating sites have been a huge benefit for singles, especially those with traditionally smaller social networks. Gian Gonzaga, senior director of research and development at eHarmony, described it as , "Imagine being in a bar and how hard it would be to find five people you might connect with.

If you actually match those people in the beginning, you're increasing your odds of meeting someone We put people seriously looking for a relationship in one place, at the same time. So I think it's both the medium and it's the scale. And a matchmaker only knows so many people, but there are eight million or ten million users on eHarmony. Online dating sites inherently attract singles who are seeking relationships; and with the expansive number of users, even on the basis of chance, these sites will see a large number of successful relationship formations.

Perception also plays a key role in determining relationship outcomes.

When we believe a dating site can accurately match us with our most compatible partner, our likelihood of realizing success increases. Christian Rudder, the co-founder of the popular OkCupid, experimented on the users of his site to explore the influence of perception. In his experiment , he took bad matches, those who matched by 30 percent, and told them that they matched by 90 percent.

When users believed they were a 90 percent match, they were more likely to contact and even like each other.

To combat the findings that argue otherwise, I've come up with a list of recommendations and insights for the next time you start clicking and swiping. This list was compiled after an extensive sweep of the findings on online dating. Being aware of your surroundings, even as you walk down the street, is going to help you meet people incidentally, Ms Chan says. Look around, smile and interact with others.

1. dating famous woman!
2. I’m struggling to find love through online dating.
3. Still Not Sold on Online Dating? Here's How to Make the Best of It.
4. How Online Dating Works | HowStuffWorks!
5. Take Your Time.
6. Article share options.

Making eye contact is really important. If you spot someone you might like to engage with, create an opportunity to talk to them, Ms Chan says. Recently Ms Chan parked in front of a truck driver while she was unloading boxes for a singles event, and even though there was heaps of space for him to get out, she struck up a conversation by asking, "Have I left you enough room?

More from ABC

Other examples include approaching someone in a cafe to ask for half their newspaper, or inquiring about their laptop because you're considering buying the same one. If you're worried talking to strangers makes you seem creepy, Ms Luscombe says you need to get over that. It doesn't need to be 'Hey, are you single and what's your star sign? Mr Diecke says men need to be careful not to "corner" a woman when approaching her, and to recognise when she isn't interested. If she's happy with that, comment on something in her shopping trolley," he says.

If choices about the people we grow to value in our lives were all based on such speedy assessments imagine the number of wonderful characters who might slip our grasp. The same is true when it comes to relationships. Love at first sight can be a terrible deception. We have to embrace the mystery and surprises along with the frustrations. Then again as someone slowly but inexorably slipping back to the analogue world wherever possible, I may not be the best person to advise on seeking a mate online.

In my youth we were limited by our location and chance encounters. Your state of mind, your current desires, the signals that inform your pheromones and the ones that dampen them are influenced as much by circumstances as chemistry. You could be in a room full of 40 men who superficially qualify as your type and yet not find any to your taste. Far more important than securing dates is setting about your own life with enthusiasm and appetite.

• How To Make Online Dating Work For You.
• the dating lab!
• netmums dating!