How Kinky is America According to Online Dating Profiles?

In 2009, 40 million Americans, or 40% of US singles, participated in online dating. That same year the industry totaled $1.049 billion, with even larger revenue than the more established pornography sector. Growth is expected to continue at around 10% annually.

Dating sites provide value by hooking users up with their ideal match. Success is measured in “relationships” or how many users leave with “a ring on it”. But can the online and mobile dating sectors continue to profit after users find love?

New relationship management start-ups promise to do just that. Trendcentral recently highlighted three sites that support couples as they build intimacy within their relationships. Kahnoodle designed a dashboard to track improvement areas for couples. TheIceBreak.com suggests questions to promote more meaningful and profound communication between partners. And Tokii, “the first relationship management platform”, uses gaming technologies to help enhance romance.

Sites like OkCupid or Match.com have yet to integrate relationship management within their value proposition. It is very possible that these sites will utilize AI capabilities to build comprehensive long-term relationship programs. Loyal users would be connected to a particular dating site longer than their most serious relationship! As sites begin to shift towards continuous relationship improvement, will our romantic relationships become richer as a result?

Image via Fast Co. Design.