Title: Getting Started With Online Dating Word Count: 730 Summary: For anyone who is new to the world of online dating, things could get a little confusing. Online dating differs from real life dating in many ways. One of the key differences is that with online dating, all of the action is done via the internet. Individuals or groups of people who want to meet other people for social purposes, romantic attachments, or just to make new friends can do so through the means of online dating services. This is a new, fun, and exciting way ... Keywords: dating, romance, relationships Article Body: For anyone who is new to the world of online dating, things could get a little confusing. Online dating differs from real life dating in many ways. One of the key differences is that with online dating, all of the action is done via the internet. Individuals or groups of people who want to meet other people for social purposes, romantic attachments, or just to make new friends can do so through the means of online dating services. This is a new, fun, and exciting way to meet people. Almost everyone is getting in on the action when it comes to online dating services. It has been assessed that approximately 1out of 5 Americans participate in an online dating service. There are numerous online dating services that cater to all types of people. Individuals ranging in: age, interests, and that come from different demographics, and various walks of life. The numbers of people who are participating in online dating services are on the rise. More than ever young people nowadays are using this method, as their main route to meet people. They see nothing shameful about this way of socializing. Plus, the anonymity that online dating services provide, they also find appealing. After all, participants of online dating services don't have to meet the individuals they communicate with online in person. Not until they feel they've achieve some level of trust, and comfort with the other person. In the end, a participant always has the choice to meet or not to meet. The more reliable online dating services are those that require memberships from participants. They have a given set of requirements that must be met before anybody is allowed to participate. This allows the online dating service website to accept or reject aspiring members. Some of these online dating services are not free. They charge a monthly fee for the services they offer. Subscribers to online dating services are asked to create a profile which contains a picture of the subscriber and other useful information. This is where the subscribers get to post some basic personal information like interests, hobbies, and the description of the type of persons they'd want to connect with. The great thing about this is the subscribers have a chance to express themselves, and show their personality through their profiles. Also, they can specify exactly what they are looking for. The subscribers are then matched with fellow subscribers who match their descriptions. Afterwards, it is up to the subscribers to pursue the connection with the other subscribers that they've been matched with. This way of self advertising on an online dating service doesn't differ much from a personal, which basically operates on the same principle. These are the little pop-ups that appear on a lot of websites on the internet. It basically relays basic personal information, interests, quotes, a picture, and contact email of the person who has posted the personal. Any interested party can then contact that person. The great thing about online dating services is that participants get to choose the persons they're going to communicate with. Plus, they get to read their profiles ahead of time, so they'd pretty much have an idea about what type of a person they are dealing with, before they make contact. The downside to online dating services is that not everyone tells the truth on their profiles! Some married individuals have been known to lie about their marital status online. This has been an ongoing problem that has plagued the online dating service world since the beginning of its inception. But a lot of online dating services are now enforcing more stringent rules to crackdown on this problem. Some are even doing background checks to make sure aspiring subscribers don't have a criminal record. This adds to the safety of the members of the online dating community. The availability of online dating services makes this an appealing option for anyone who is looking to meet new people. Now, with the popularity of online dating services, the interactions people can have are not only limited to their set of friends, acquaintances, and co-workers anymore. It is so easy to partake in an online dating service. Anyone who has access to the internet can do so. Now, with just a simple click of a button any individual can be launched into the new and exciting world of online dating.