Seven in ten online dating virgins willing to try finding love on the web
Seven in ten (70%) singletons who don’t currently use online dating, would consider doing so in future, a new YouGov report reveals.
The Online Dating Services report shows that 38% of British adults are currently looking for a relationship, with half of those being virgins to online dating. One in five (21%) have used online dating sites in the past, but do not anymore.
However, despite the large potential for online dating sites, YouGov’s research shows that concerns remain about costs and profile security. Just one in five (20%) singletons not signed-up to a site would be willing to pay for a subscription, while half (50%) would not. A quarter (26%) said they would not consider joining regardless of price.
The report also suggests that potential members need to be assured about user privacy and the credibility of other members. 58% said data security (i.e. that their information would not be shared with third parties) would be an important factor in whether they would chose to date online. 52% said it was important for them to have privacy with regards to who could view their profile, while 38% said they would want background checks of subscribers.
YouGov also found that the public’s perception of online dating is changing, providing dating sites with the opportunity to attract new members. Six in ten (61%) current users are not embarrassed to admit they use online dating, while a third (33%) of all respondents associated online dating with the word modern. 27% say it is convenient, 23% say acceptable.
Commenting on the findings, Research Director at YouGov, James McCoy, said; ‘’Attitudes towards online dating are changing, and many people now it as a normal part of their love lives and as a result, a lot of singles are now willing to give it a try. However, as with everything online, consumers are getting increasingly security-conscious when it comes to who their most personal of details are shared with. But as long as dating sites can ensure privacy and security and keep costs down, there is a clear opportunity to turn these online dating virgins into customers looking for love members’’.
