I read a study recently that said the more choice we have with anything (like, the choice of 100 difference brands of laundry detergent), the poorer our decision-making abilities. In other words, too many brands of laundry detergent sends our brains into overdrive and we end up just picking based on a colorful label, rather than how well it works or other important criteria. Same thing with dating.
Since reading about this, I’ve noticed there are more and more specialty online dating sites cropping up. Before, it was Match.com and eHarmony. But now, you have stuff like:
- VeggieDate.org for vegetarian singles (hey, I get it—who wants to see your date eat cow every day while you prefer salads and umm…salads? (Sorry, I’m from Texas, so I’m not a grazer.)
- Cupidtino for people who love Apple products (coming in June for those who are interested. You won’t be able to log on from work though if your office uses PCs. They discriminate—the site is only accessible through Apple technology.)
- DateMyPet.com for those of you not willing to date someone who doesn’t love your cat (and their own) as much as you do.
- WomenBehindBars.com for those who prefer to date someone from a distance. Like, through plexiglass.
- ScientificMatch.com where you are matched with someone who is DNA-compatible through saliva samples (they do the testing, not you). It costs $2000 to play.
- TrekPassions.com for obvious reasons. Star Trek fans tend to find each other, but I guess this is another avenue specifically for dating…
- Gk2Gk.com for those who are into geeks…(sign me up!)…although I’m not a Halo fan, and I guess there is a pretty substantial base of video game addicts.
- FarmersOnly.com for the cowboys in all of us? Well, the tagline is “City folks just don’t get it”, so ’nuff said.
- And finally the creepiest one to me, but one that has about 12,000 members: DiaperMates.com. Umm…this is for AB/DLs, which means “Adult Babies” and “Diaper Lovers”. Huh. In other words, people who like to dress up as babies or play the role of parents. I have no words.
And of course there are all the religious-based sites, but I won’t go into that here. If religion is important to you, that’s probably the best idea next to going to a church, synagogue or mosque every week to check out the congregation.
So as you can see, there are plenty of possibilities out there, no matter how picky you are. The next time you scroll through your matches and think “there’s nobody good out there”, maybe it’s time to think smaller.
I don’t know, I think I’m still a Match.com kind of girl. I need people who aren’t devoted to just one thing…I like the well-rounded types who enjoy video games AND cooking. Okay, maybe not video games because I wouldn’t be able to relate (sorry God of War and Halo fans). I’m just saying.
Would you try a niche dating site?
About Kelly Seal
Kelly is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles, CA. She blogs about dating, relationships, personal growth and what "healthy living" means to her. You can follow her on Google+, Twitter @kellyseal or through her website www.kellyseal.com.
I would probably try the geek one but that’s about it. You forgot to mention this one http://www.anonidate.com/?action=browse&setworld=2 it’s for Furries.
I guess it’s okay for people who just aren’t willing to be flexible about things like their pets and meat. I’d rather have someone a little more flexible myself.
I just heard about Cupidtino this week. If I hadn’t ever moved to California, I would have thought that this was ridiculous, but I do know fanatical cult-like Apple fans that could never cross over to the dark side and date a PC owner.
It’s true, no matter what your hobby or interests there’s a specialized dating site for you.
I don’t think I would have gone to the niche dating sites. Match worked for me! I think if we narrow our searches too much we could really miss out. I almost missed out on the love of my life because I set my preference to only guys older than me. Luckily he found me!
niche dating sites are a ridiculous idea. Sure there is truth in too much choice (see book called paradox of choice) and alikeness is a part of attraction but I can’t believe there’s really enough people on those places in near vicinity to make it viable. the major dating sites will suck up a lot of viable members and I’ve noticed a few niche type places who keep inactive accounts to give the impression of more members.
the best thing dating sites can do is limit choices by force in any given instance from a much bigger pool. In that way you get many instances of a limited choice. and do it in such a way that affords the “chatroulette phenomenon”. People like the possibility of unexpected random discoveries.
plenty of fish almost get this right as they force you to see people when you’re in your inbox but it’s 22 at a time. which I’d still counter is too many and makes ones page awfully busy.
Browolf – thanks for stopping by! I don’t know that niche dating sites are ridiculous…I imagine people join them because they are more comfortable dating a specific type of person, and are not finding them on the regular sites. It’s not for me, but I think it’s ok that they exist. Except for AshleyMadison, but they have a HUGE membership. Surprising really, and sad. I do agree about POF…I found it the easiest to use. None of those long questionnaires to fill out either.
Date Girl – nice! Yes, I am in favor of loosening the filters when online dating. Five years or 5 miles could make all the difference in who you meet.
Tina – I’m going to be following Cupidtino, so I’ll keep you posted.
Jen – A furries site is just wrong.
I’ve tried VeggieDate because I found that men who were vegetarians (or “mostly vegetarian”) were often thoughtful people who thought about their health in more ways than one (in other words, they were also active). However, my VeggieDate experience didn’t last long after I realized that most of the men were either total hippie/agnostic/yoga guys or Asian Buddhists, neither of whom could understand my Christian faith and moderate vegetarianism (I’m not strict about it). So I went back to dating active guys, my favorite type, and found that even though they ate the occasional burger and steak, they were very much in touch with a healthy, moderate lifestyle.
But yes, EXCELLENT post, Kelly! This made me laugh. I might try Cupidtino some time …
I know it is just crazy with all the dating sites out there, Veggidate really.