Not just a wink and smile: An analysis of user-defined success in online dating

Christopher M. Mascaro, Rachel M. Magee, Sean P. Goggins

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

This study examines the publically available stories of self-identified successful couples that met using the online dating services Match.com, eHarmony, or OkCupid. We enumerate four main findings; 1) the distribution of relationship status (Dating, Engaged, Married) varies among websites, 2) approximately half of all stories explicitly thank the service they used, 3) the locations of successful couples from Match.com and eHarmony are not statistically different when analyzed at a regional level, and 4) while the distribution of these couples follows general population trends, there are low population density islands where many self-identified successful couples live. These findings, coupled with a review of the existing literature, establish the context for future research into the technological and societal contexts in which online dating exists. This research has broad impacts of informing the design and development of online dating websites and other information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as social networking sites.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2012 iConference
Subtitle of host publicationCulture, Design, Society, iConference 2012
Pages200-206
Number of pages7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
Event2012 iConference: Culture, Design, Society, iConference 2012 - Toronto, ON, Canada
Duration: Feb 7 2012Feb 10 2012

Publication series

NameACM International Conference Proceeding Series

Other

Other2012 iConference: Culture, Design, Society, iConference 2012
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityToronto, ON
Period2/7/122/10/12

Keywords

  • communication
  • internet dating
  • online dating
  • relationships
  • social media
  • technology

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Software
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
  • Computer Networks and Communications

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