There’s been an explosion of online dating sites. That’s good news for singles—but it also means that you have to be more careful.
Many online dating sites are just out for a fast buck and a hot spot on the search engines. They have little concern for their members’ safety, especially since free membership means anyone—even predators and criminals—can be lurking within.
Here are dating tips for you to determine whether or not you should sign up for an online dating site, and how to protect yourself once you’re in.
Dating tip # 1: Check the dating site’s privacy policy.
It’s important that the dating site has a solid privacy policy that won’t sell your email address to ‘affiliates’ or ‘like-minded companies.’ You can find the privacy policy at the bottom of the page—if you can’t find it, don’t even bother joining.
Dating tip # 2: Read the dating site’s ‘Terms of Use’ page.
Reputable dating sites will set guidelines for members, which means that improper behavior will lead to being banned. Websites that don’t run guidelines—and don’t have a way for you to contact them if those guidelines are violated—will not intervene, even if members file a complaint about someone.
Some dating sites will even check the names of members against any database of sex offenders, or for any public criminal record. Others may not do research, but will automatically ban anyone if complaints or questions of character are raised and proven.
Dating tip # 3: Check for pop-ups and ads.
While dating sites will try to get ads—they have to earn money, after all—beware of websites where the ads and pop ups are so prevalent and intrusive that they actually interfere with your ability to find information or use the services easily. Not only is this bad website design, it shows that the people who run the website are more concerned with getting a profit than delivering a good service. The worst ones are only offering membership and a feeble attempt at content as ‘ad bait.’
Dating tip # 4: Check the ‘crowd.’
Look at the profiles of the members. Are they well-written? Are there photos? And are they realistic? Beware of dating websites where everyone looks like a model and the profiles all sound alike. These are probably planted, in an attempt to make a new dating site look more popular than it really is. Or, if the profiles are all poorly written (bordering on silly nonsensical garbage) then it shows the website doesn’t screen members or weed out pranksters.
Once you’ve found a good internet dating site, sign up! You can use our dating tips on writing a good internet dating profile and follow general guidelines on internet dating do’s and dating don’ts.
Photo from egyptianchat.org