location based mobile dating (or matching by zip code)

I wrote a post last year why can’t dating sites be more like social networks and mentioned some mobile dating sites amongst others.  Since then location based apps and sites have sprung up all over the net and have become very popular.  Foursquare and Gowalla now regularly update to Twitter so that people can meet up with each other wherever they find themselves.  There is no more lonely or should I say alone?

“Technology is no match for human error.” Torley

A study mentioned on TechCrunch noted:

51 percent of the consumers surveyed have met another single person in the Real World that they initiated contact with on their iPhone. The survey findings show that:

69 percent are comfortable meeting up with someone they met on their iPhone

40 percent are using a mobile dating service while out in bars, clubs and restaurants

20 percent are only using the service outside of their homes

35 percent are using the service at work

In the course of writing a series of posts reviewing some of the dating sites’ relationship assessments, I also wrote a rather derogatory post entitled No Review of Singlesnet Relationship Assessment.  They appeared only to match by zip code!  Well now there seem to be a slew of location based dating apart from those I mentioned.  The strength of gps based mobile dating is all about location, location, location.  It doesn’t guarantee a good match but it provides you with real potential dates within your immediate area.

“Technology… the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.” Max Frisch

Mashable also quoted a report in a post:

42 percent of unattached users will be looking to social networks for love on Valentine’s Day

45 percent say they’ve used their mobile to break up with someone – mostly via text message

Men are more likely to break up via mobile than women

73 percent say the mobile phone is the most important device in their social life (versus just 2 percent for the computer/Web)

Making new friends still happens mostly offline, though 19 percent say mobile is an important part of it

There are a few points to consider with location based mobile dating or matching by zip code:

1. It brings online dating closer to real life dating as long as you are aware of the potential problems & minimise them.
2. There is no compatibility test except human instinct, along with good common sense, so I guess it is closer to real life dates.
3. Stalking is a problem and many women still find location based services ‘creepy’.  Make sure that your service has an option to block unwanted advances or people.
4. Privacy: noting appropriate times when you want to be located and when you don’t.  Apart from turning your mobile device off, does your service give you the option of guaranteed privacy when you choose?
5. Video & chat function on mobile ensures you get a clearer & more realistic picture of those in whom you are interested.  Does your service provide connection with media services?
6. Social network profile connection ensures more credibility & authenticity about those in whom you are interested.  Does your service provide login & connection with social networks?
7. Bringing dating closer to real life means that safety is an even higher priority than dating on the web.  Does your service provide some means of safety from creeps?
8. Mobile dating generally costs per text or chat so it can end up running more expensive if you use the service a lot.

“We must learn to balance the material wonders of technology with the spiritual demands of our human race.” John Naisbitt

A lot of mainstream online dating sites have added mobile functionality but I guess that is not really their area of expertise so I am not sure how successful these have become.  I have raved on in the past about the limitations of finding good matches on a lot of these websites so not sure how their mobile versions deliver.  A lot of the problems are caused by dating sites trying to keep users locked into subscription models with no incentive to support them in finding great matches.  It has been suggested that many of these problems occur because so many sites are run by men who have different value than women in relationship.  Great to see more women joining the ranks of this industry now & hopefully bringing more functionality to dating sites.

“Once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.” Stewart Brand

Have you used mobile dating and what has been your personal experience with these sites?  Let me know your opinions & experience in the comments below, thanks.

Here’s a funny video with a warning that even with mobile dating you may not be getting exactly what you think.  Enjoy…

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