Online Webcam Dating Not So Popular

In August 2007, online dating and friendship site makefriendsonline.com carried out a survey amongst its members to find out if they would like the option to use Web cams on the site. Male respondents were keen to give it a go but the proposal met a resounding No from 56% of female members who not only did not want the option but also expressed reservations about even joining a site, which offered it.

One year down the line and we see Web cam Dating in general and Video Speed Dating in particular being hyped as the latest ‘thing’ for online communities. Wondering if they had perhaps misjudged the market makefriendsonline.com repeated their survey from 2007 with results that illustrate an interesting trend, possibly not yet recognised by those more involved in the Web cam scene:

Overall, 72% of male respondents liked webcams and wanted to use them on dating sites. However, this clashes dramatically with an astounding 63% of female respondents who do not like web cams and most certainly do not want to use them on dating sites!

Not only does this suggest men on cams might be increasingly talking to themselves, it also illustrates a marked trend with the percentage of women unwilling to use web cams increasing at a convincing rate.

The age group most open to Web cams were, perhaps unsurprisingly, the under-25s. Nevertheless, importantly for site owners, the current growth in online dating seems to be in the older age groups.

The increased availability of Web cam Sites was reflected in the overall results which show an additional 12% of women have tried Web cam Dating since the last survey. But of those, a massive two thirds did not like it and would not do it again. By comparison, the Male figures remain static, the majority being as willing and eager to use a web cam in 2008 as they were last year.

So, the trend, which was illustrated in last year’s survey, is only underlined one year on:

More women have tried Webcam Dating and have confirmed the previous results with a resounding majority continuing to dislike the entire experience.

Men, possibly less eloquent and more visually driven, were already geared up a year ago and remain as keen as ever, but without women it is a one-way street.

Makefriendsonline MD, Martin Bysh commented

‘In a market where it is notoriously difficult to attract and retain female users, makefriendsonline is very proud and protective of it’s female membership, which at 51% is probably the best male/female ratio you will find anywhere. We would not want to alienate our female members by offering a feature that makes them uncomfortable and certainly not one, which would actively put them off joining our site. We will therefore not be adding web cams to MFO.’

In addition, when asked if the men would still come to his site if they cannot use their web cams, he added

‘Ultimately, men visit Dating Sites to meet women. With our large database of happy female members and countless alternative features which those ladies are happy to use, we are confident we are meeting the fundamental requirements of all our potential customers and men will of course continue to find MFO a rewarding experience’.

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