Thousands of happy couples. Thousands of marriages. The highest success rate online. These are just a few of the claims we are constantly hearing from online dating sites, both the major ones and the smaller, more specialized ones. But really, how successful is online dating? Can you trust and believe in what these sites are telling you?

The answer is a very murky “yes” and “no”. The reality is that online dating sites generally rely on self-reporting of happy couples and marriages, which means they need their members to submit comments, letters, and other input sharing their own experiences. And while there are indeed many success stories from online dating this kind of self-reporting is by no means scientific or reliable.

So what is a single person to do? Is it worth looking at the so-called success rates promoted by online dating sites when deciding which one (or ones) to join and participate in? The answer to that one is really up to you, but in general you should take these kinds of claims with a grain of salt.

In the real world of online dating you’re going to have to expect to have a lot of not-so-great dates as you move along the path toward finding someone really special. That, it turns out, is the real meaning of “success” in online dating, the willingness to persevere, keep going, and working toward whatever dating goal you set for yourself. It probably isn’t going to happen overnight, and it may even take several years in some cases. But if you stick with it and have realistic goals you’re likely to have a great deal of fun along the way.

News & Views Couples, Dating Business, Marriage, Success, Trust

If you date, you will breakup with someone at some point. It’s not a pretty thing, but it’s reality. After all, if you don’t break up with someone, you’re simply staying in a relationship you don’t enjoy.

Or you’re marrying them. Here are some ways to make a breakup easier:

• Be quick – There’s no need to give a long and drawn out explanation for the reasons why you need to say goodbye. Just say it’s over, give a short explanation and walk away.
• Be honest – There’s no need to be mean, but you should always be honest when you break up with someone. Lying isn’t going to help them or you get over this transition any quicker.
• Be in public – Make sure you break up with someone when you’re out and about, not over the phone or over email. Those are cowardly and they can often be messages that are spread to others. Do it in person.
• Be kind – This is a person you though you could really care about, so think about how it would feel if the tables were turned. How would you want to be treated?

The reality of dating is that 99% of all your relationships are going to fail or they’re just not going to work out. So, breaking up is just a part of this cycle. And each breakup means you’re getting closer to the one that steals your heart.

Breaking Up, Divorce Breaking Up, Divorce, Marriage, Separating

It’s official – everyone is dating online. When I saw the news that Brad Garrett was trying out online dating (albeit for a reality show), I realized that online dating had finally found legitimacy.

Sure, we’ve all known about it for a while now, but once a celebrity decides to go for it, then you know it’s something you should try it too.

True, Garrett isn’t the first one to give online dating a whirl, but it seems like everyone who is anyone is hopping online. What does this mean for you? It means that more people are going to try this effective form of dating, which will up your chances of finding someone of substance.

At the same time, many people might wonder if online dating is just being mocked by those who could get a date with anyone – that’s a viable thought too.

But honestly, online dating is not a joke.

• It lets you screen potential dates before you spend money on a movie and dinner.
• It lets you scope out the competition.
• It lets you be picky.
• Online dating is cheap.
• It lets you be creative with your profile.
• You can meet anyone who is into anything.
• It’s growing everyday.

Online dating used to be a way for people to stalk each other and to flirt with people they had no intention of meeting, but now, matches are made, marriages are planned, and families are the result.

Get on the bandwagon – and maybe you can date Brad in the process. Too bad it’s not Brad Pitt.

News & Views Celebrities, Marriage, Money, Stalking, TV