by: Matt Matcherson
Match.com is BIG!
Match.com is a huge diverse site, perhaps reflecting it's parent company IAC InterActiveCorp. IAC's online businesses include Expedia, Hotels.com, Ticketmaster, Match.com, Citysearch, LendingTree, RealEstate.com... lets just say they are really BIG and have created an enourmous option filled dating site!
Winks, Emails and Messenger
Match.com is not lacking in ways you can send "one of those internets" (as Emerill says!). A single click sends a "wink" letting that attractive member know you are "interested"; emails are delivered without revealing the senders address; and pop-up style instant messenger is included. It seems the majority of users either disable the messenger or leave on their pop-up blockers, choosing instead to browse, wink, email and then meet on one of the popular instant messengers.
Update!
Last November Instant Messenger was removed from Match.com and replaced with an “even better way to connect instantly with your matches.†as the notification email read...†Introducing Match.com Email Alerts - soon you will know the moment one of your matches sends you an email. Plus, you'll be able to use an Online Now filter on any search or match to connect with others in real time! "
I've always found the site specific messengers, like the one Match.com finally gave up on, to be more trouble than they are worth. Not many members leave them on so there are few to connect with. Why run another messenger when you can simply invite someone over to Yahoo, MSN, AOL or ICQ messenger? The new instant email notification seems to work and they have added an eyecatching spinning envelope as a means of signaling a new message. This feels like a step back toward something more like the old kiss.com's and udates's "whispers". Whispers on those sites is always activated when you are logged on. For me that meant more contacts. Perhaps instant email alerts will become a new "near realtime" method of finding those sparks before moving to a messenger, cell phone, date and then King and Queen ruling over a new world order...hmm the coffee must be kicking in!
Profiles
Match.com has all the bells and whistles when it comes to creating your profile. In addition to the appearance, lifestyle, background, values, about my date and intro essay you can leave audio greetings. The video component seems to have fallen off to the wayside due to lack of use. Once again, existing messengers work for that anyway.
Matches
You can massage the data till your hearts content!...or until the data massages you. Really there is mutual matching, personality matching, basic profile matching, and advanced search options galore.
Match.com is a option rich site with lots of members and ways to meet them.