I’ve written before about the dating site AshleyMadison.com, where people can search for and connect with others like themselves who are looking to cheat on a spouse, long-term boyfriend/girlfriend, or significant other.

While the morality of such a site is questionable, what is not questionable is just how much money they are making by providing this kind of service. According to the company’s most recent financial reporting, it now has 4.6 million members around the world and is pulling in revenue well above tens of millions of dollars each year. And all of this without much, if any, traditional advertising! Imagine how much more they would make if they had access to normal marketing and advertising channels.

The surging popularity (and profitability) of AshleyMadison.com has been created in part because the conservative Christian movement has mobilized against the site and what it stands for. The more these kinds of groups protest the website, the more publicity it gets and the more members it attracts. The irony of this is not lost on those who have a financial interest in AshleyMadison.com; they are quite open about embracing conservative protests and using them as a way to attract more attention and market to potential members.

Ironic, isn’t it? I guess this is a good illustration of the old cliché that there’s no such thing as bad publicity!

Dating Essentials Ashley Madison, Cheating, Christians, Money

Just in case you’re not feeling enough pressure going into that upcoming first date you have scheduled, here’s something else to keep in mind: about two thirds of all singles will decide whether to see someone again within the first 30 minutes of a date.

Yes, that’s right. You have 30 minutes to make a good impression on that other person if you want there to be a second date. If you’re really lucky, though, your date will be among the 22% of singles who are willing to give you up to an hour before they make up their minds.

Does any of this surprise you? It shouldn’t, really, considering the fast paced world in which we live. In a society where the emphasis is on getting what you want faster (think drive thru espresso stands) and having to take care of many different responsibilities each day (think multi-tasking or juggling two jobs), it’s no wonder that we’ve developed the same “short term” approach to our dating habits. We think we don’t have a moment to waste, so even on a date we’re inclined to be rushed and make fast decisions.

Age has a lot to do with this trend. In general, people under age 40 are most likely to make these fast judgments, while people over age 40 are more likely to give things a bit more time. But you don’t want to dally with this older group, either, as they are probably only going to give you an hour or so before making their decision.

So the next time you go out on a first date, put a rush on it; you only get one chance (and about 30 minutes) to make a good first impression!

Dating Essentials Age, Attraction, Speed Dating, Work

If there’s one thing that online dating has vastly improved, it’s the prospects for dating and love for those who are later in life. I’m talking about people who are over 65 and find themselves single, many for the first time in decades. This is the kind of situation that used to just be considered inevitable for folks in this age group; they had their time as part of a relationship, the thinking went, and now it’s time for them to step aside and get used to being on their own.

Nonsense. Nobody has to be alone, no matter their age, but especially not those in the 65+ category. The modern world, with its new approaches to living and the tremendous array of technology tools, makes it possible and even exciting for later life singles to meet each other and enjoy whatever kind of relationship they want.

Two of the online dating sites that do a particularly good job of helping later life singles find love and companionship are Senior FriendFinder and DatingforSeniors.com. While these are not age-specific services, they do offer a higher level of personalized service that is often the best fit for 65+ singles that are new to the modern dating scene.

These web sites offer special advice and support to seniors, helping them to learn the “new rules” of dating in the 21st century. One area that’s especially important for seniors to keep in mind is the potential for others to take advantage of them, so these online dating sites pay particular attention to helping seniors protect themselves from scammers and other con artists.

So if you’re later in life and find yourself single, take heart. An entirely new and exciting world of dating and relationships is just waiting for you to take part!

Dating Essentials Age, Love, Old, Over 65, SeniorFriendFinder.com, Seniors