November 22nd, 2011 
Botts 
This section displays the last 50 news articles that were published.
11/21/2011 09:25 AM
It seems like there are more and more commercials popping up about dating websites. There are even a few catered to specific groups of people. So are more people turning to these sites? And are they actually finding love? In the first part of our series ‘Looking for Love,’ YNN’s Erin Clarke explores the online dating surge and answers these questions.
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29-year-old Melanie married Navy Reservist Shawn ten months ago
“He’s phenomenal, he absolutely great. All my friends tell me ‘I’ve never seen you glow so much when you’re around him,’” said Melanie Dezalia.
Shawn has been shipped off to the Middle East, so the two communicate online often.
But that’s nothing new to the newlyweds. In fact, they met on the web…and have a pet that symbolizes their beginning.
“We met on Plenty of Fish online,” said Dezalia.
Melanie had just moved to Syracuse and didn’t know anyone. She was looking for friends.
“My sister was like ‘oh, you should join an online dating thing’ and I was like, I don’t really need a dating service,” said Dezalia.
But a relationship fell right in her lap when she stumbled upon the perfect guy.
“There’s not anything that I don’t like,” said Dezalia.
Shawn and Melanie took their time getting to know each other. It’s something experts say online dating allows you do much easier.
“There’s some time for you to think about your responses to people. You take your time in putting yourself out there the way that you want to put yourself out there,” said Upstate University co-director of Student Counseling, Jill Thomas.
In May of ’09, the two finally met. Shawn caught up with Melanie and some friends at Sylvan Beach.
“Once he walked on to the beach I was like ‘oh my, he’s way cuter than he is in his pictures,’” said Dezalia.
After that…it was all history. Melanie and Shawn’s story, though, isn’t all that unique.
Upstate University co-director of Student Counseling, Jill Thomas, says research shows more long term relationships and marriages are starting this way.
“A third of the internet users are going online and meeting people this way,” said Thomas.
What once was taboo, is now becoming common.
“Everyone knows someone who has met their significant other on Match or EHarmony or one of those big dating sites or a smaller one,” said Syracuse University School of Information Studies Graduate Assistant, Alyssa Henry.
“Online dating is showing that there are a lot of success stories as well, and I think that is contributing to the decrease in those taboo feelings people are having,” said Syracuse University School of Information Studies Professor, Anthony Rotolo.
The explanation for this surge in online dating? Take a look at where we’re spending most of our time.
“With so much information that we’re sharing on Facebook, Twitter and all of these social networking sites, it’s only natural that people have started to use similar channels to start to connect with each other for relationship purposes,” said Henry.
That information is out there for folks to peruse when they have the time. Since you can introduce yourself without the pressure of a face to face date, the profile is also a pretty good way to get across exactly who you are and what you’re looking for.
“I was very specific in my profile. If you’re just going to look at my profile picture and send me a message and be like ‘hey baby, you’re super hot’ then don’t bother,” said Dezalia.
The publisher of Online Dating Magazine, a watchdog group and educational publication for online daters, says the profile and picture will determine if you’ll get a hit online.
Being truthful and interesting in your self-description are the keys to online dating success.
“If you can’t interest me in your introduction message then I’m not even going to respond to you,” said Dezalia.
Online Dating Magazine suggests being more descriptive. Instead of writing “I like movies,” tell potential suitors what your favorite movie is. However, even after following these tips, don’t expect love to come your way immediately.
“You get your fair share of good and bad,” said Dezalia.
Melanie and the experts say it takes some time and patience to find “the one,” but it could happen.
There are tons of dating websites tailored to specific needs, local, national, paid and free sites. Experts say the one you chose depends on what you’re looking for.
Article source: http://centralny.ynn.com/content/all_news/564561/looking-for-love--online-dating
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