There was a time – call it the pre-millennium – when the notion of finding love online was scoffed at, even, dare I say, ridiculed.
Of course, that was before our lives became consistently encoded with HTML interface, and consequently our romances, too – what with the Lavalifes, the Plenty of Fishes, the Facebooks, and other online communities that plague our daily work hours but make life in our parents' basements so much more exciting.
"Nowadays the online industry is probably the most prevalent way that people do meet," says Steve Kasper, who represents dating site SuccessfulMatch.com.
Now that online dating is an established forum for finding love – or at least a date to your cousin's wedding – it's no longer a question of online dating, but rather what kind of online dating. And it's only technologically natural that it should alter and develop the way any electronic database would.
Hence, niche dating.
Niche sites cater to a specific personality trait. A little narrow-minded, maybe, but the definitive character of niche sites helps one connect with people guaranteed to have similar interests and lifestyles.
Such as horses (EquestrianCupid.com), your wealthy (WealthyChats.com), your height (TallFriends.com), or your love of the celeb life (MillionaireCupid.com). And Star Trek? Trekpassions.com. Hey, you've got to start somewhere.
"Online dating is the best thing ever to happen to shy people," says Joe Tracy, who runs Online Dating Magazine. "It's really helped to level the playing field as far as dating goes."
Tracy started his publication – available online only, naturally – in 2003, in response to the plethora of dating sites popping up.
In that time, he's seen dating sites come and go. But mostly come.
"We have counted more than 1,000, but we believe it's much higher than that," he says.
Kasper's Successful Match connects to some 40 niche sites, encompassing interests from golf to goth.
"The niche market is growing immensely," Kasper says, noting that mainstream sites, like Match.com, are also creating niche categories.
As well as being a self-fulfilling prophecy for finding people like yourself, niche sites help daters identify their own passions.
Some people know exactly what they want and they know, `Hey if I love dancing, I want to make sure that the person I date loves dancing, too, because that's something I'm going to be wanting to do with them,'" Tracy says.
But what about the age-old idiom of opposite attraction?
"They may be missing out on a really, really good person," Tracy concedes. However, that risk may not be enough for a Trekkie to take up with an anti-Shatner type.
"A lot of people feel a lot more comfortable just finding someone who has the same interests that they can develop a relationship with."
Kasper can identify with that.
He met his partner five years ago on MillionaireCupid.com – a bloated name for those making $150,000+ and celebrities. "So it does work," he says.
Forever young
Niche market: Those who believe life (or maybe a second, third, or fourth life) begins at 50.
Site specifics: Check out the blogs to learn how these folks have embraced both love and technology.
Sample quote: "Cruising for my next adventure."
Ladymaggic
Free to join? Yes
Spaceship shmoozin'
Where in cyberland: trekpassions.com
Niche market: For lovers of Star Trek, Star Wars, sci-fi and various other dimensions.
Site specifics: There are YouTube videos featuring Captain Kirk, ads for conventions and a "Browse by Group" function to find other Asimov fans with whom to commiserate over the state of the world – or at least as portrayed in Will Smith films.
Sample quote: "Seeking a self-reliant flexible giver who laughs at my corny jokes. A lady who's independent and ready for a relationship, but most of all is into sci-fi."
Rayman
Free to join? Yes
Find a date to please Bubbie
Where in cyberland: jdate.com
Niche market: Those who wish to meet a nice Jewish girl or boy without the angst of finding them the Woody Allen way.
Site specifics: Visit the success story section to prep yourself for online dating success. Browse the parties in your city (including Toronto) to meet fellow J-daters in person.
Sample quote: "I'm blond, fun, and make a mean matzo ball soup."
Lulub418tryme
Free to join? Yes
on the same page
Where in cyberland: penguin.match.com
Niche market: People who find Chaucer sexier than Clooney; failing that, people who might know who Chaucer is.
Site specifics: Search through the tips and articles section for some useful suggestions, like how to win at first dates. (Answer: Wait until the second drink before you start quoting Chaucer.)
Sample quote: "Last read: The Sedona Method. Mind blowing stuff that really changed my perspective."
Alex Avione
Free to join? Yes, for 72 hours.
Double your odds
Where in cyberland: bicupid.com
Niche market: Those who go both ways.
Site specifics: Let curiosity take hold and visit "Bi Advice Bi Beth".
Sample quote: "Not looking for sex-starved, sexually dysfunctional people. Been there, done that. I've grown up and now respect my sexuality. ... I'm only seeking compatible like-minded people either as friends or intimate partners."
Internet Dating & Online Dating
Feel free to check my blog here:
http://www.millionairecupid.com/AskApril