Online Dating Sites: okay, Cupid, Show Me Your Seal Of Approval

OkCupid adds social video gaming aspects to online dating sites. Lester Public Library/via Flickr hide caption

We count on community reviews for almost every thing we do online — look for books, pick films, find flats, browse work offers, join clubs while making travel plans. So just why perhaps maybe not make use of the advice of our online “friends” to assist in locating a beau that is new?

I have made a decision to take to online dating sites again, and I also’m testing out OkCupid. It is a free internet dating site that launched in 2005 by the founders of Crazy Blind Date.

On OkCupid you are not any longer alone while you flick through pages. In reality, to start with We ended up being only a little overrun by just how much was taking place at the same time.

It really is a build up of any function provided from the most widely used networking that is social: immediate texting, status updates, connection recommendations, interior email and websites. However it is all aimed toward dating.

There clearly was one identifying function of OkCupid that we find interesting. It is possible to provide some body a prize, such as for example “Friends In Real lifestyle,” “Smarter compared to the Average Bear” and “the Date that is great, and you may put in a remark with their profile.

Adam, 28, also referred to as fluidHotMagma1, normally testing OkC for the time that is first. He doesn’t have any prizes yet, but stated his life that is dating skyrocketed joining the website.

“I just like the awards concept via OkC e-mail because it differentiates the active members from people who just mess around or are stalkers,” Adam told me.

Since Adam and I also are casual users of online dating sites, I sought after somebody who causes it to be their business to comprehend online sites that are dating.

E. Foley is just a geek that is self-proclaimed offers internet dating assist with other geeks on her GeeksDreamGirl site. Foley has tried OkC as well as various other sites that are dating. She stated at some point Match.com possessed a “Match My Friends” feature where you can keep testimonials on pages.

“I’m not sure I’ve been aware of anybody who selected a romantic date predicated on exactly how many ‘Makes Me Laugh’ awards they will have,” said Foley. Although, Foley has ranted on her behalf web log about OkCupid in past times, she does acknowledge the honors certainly are a “lighthearted, fun solution to celebrate your pals’ finer characteristics.”

I came across one OkC member who’s got a few prizes yet echoes Foley’s terms.

“Tuffington,” 31, A okc individual in bay area, has five “Friends In Real Life” prizes and a “Perfect Mix” prize, but stated the honors appear worthless.

“no body has ever mentioned my prizes,” Tuffington said via OkC email. “The only conversation I am able to see at all may be the dudes click back at my profile from prizes that we left for any other girls.”

This might be one downside that we noted, too. Once I look at award, if we click the backlink to see that is offering the prize, I’m sure my profile will appear as being a “visitor” on another girl’s profile.

David Mott is another self-proclaimed expert online dater who has got tried numerous internet dating sites, and shortly tried down OkC. He writes about dating and solitary parenting on their dadshouseblog.com. Mott raised another point.

“Can you really attest to someone’s dating behavior?” Mott asked me personally via email. “i could state my friend is really a guy that is good but he may be a sleaze from the dating scene, and I also wouldn’t understand it,” Mott stated.

Mott also noticed that if much of your ukrainian dating sites friends are hitched, they’dn’t be an integral part of the dating website and in a position to offer you a honor.

But that’s the idea of utilizing the prizes function and social networking on an online site that is dating. You’re in a spot in which you have to make use of the advice of other people in identical network that is online exactly like you do on Amazon.com, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.

I believe OkC is merely reminding us that with a small assistance from our buddies, the relationship game may be enjoyable.