Though many people still have little or no use for the internet, even in today's high-tech world, there's no question that people tend to feel strongly about online dating and the impact it is having on traditional matchmaking methods. While some individuals consider being matched through a computer an act of genius, many still feel that to use this method is an act of desperation. With so many still wondering whether or not online dating is an acceptable form of dating many people find the prospect to embarrassing to investigate. Perhaps it is because for many years computers have been associated with less socially active personality types that online dating has been labeled as a last resort method; perhaps the idea of meeting through pixels is just too impersonal feeling for many to relate to; in either case when taking on the challenge of finding that special some one it is often helpful to know more about which dating methods have the highest chance of bringing people together to share their lives.

To better understand the perception of online dating it is helpful to break down the most common labels placed upon the industry; why these became the most common perceptions about it and whether or not there is any truth in the idea:

Online Dating and Physically Attractive People: One of the most common misconceptions about online dating is that only those who are, or believe they are, unattractive according to the current popular standards choose to meet people online. While the internet does offer a certain amount of freedom from immediate, physical judgment, many attractive people prefer the anonymity of online dating simply because it offers a kind a freedom that is otherwise unobtainable. One example might be an attractive woman who has had no difficulty in meeting and attracting men, but has found that she is often immediately thought to be less intelligent then she truly is, simply because she is attractive; this kind of assumption can be easily remedied by excluding physical features from the initial introduction, or at the very least making them only part of the first meeting by including a photo with her profile. While the instinct to pursue attractive people will most likely change little over time, the willingness to balance physical traits with other aspects of a person's personality when reviewing potential dates could change the way our society looks at dating. Thousands if not millions of attractive men and women choose to date online because they believe that there choices are too limited locally and find that with many of the high ranked dating sites they have a better chance of meeting some one special.

People in Profiles Lie: While there is no guarantee how truthful a person's profile will be, many online dating sites have taken steps to provide safety measures for those who are concerned about who might be on the other end of a chat. Background checks for criminal behavior are offered on many sights as well as an assurance that those who claim to be single aren't secretly harboring a husband or wife. Many sights also offer chatroom and forums where those who come across deceitful profiles can share their information with others so that everyone can avoid such individuals. While these safety measures may not protect a person completely from fraudulent descriptions, they add a great amount of security to the world of online dating. Unfortunately, just as when meeting face to face, some people find it necessary to deceive prospective dates about their life; often these people will avoid real life contact and become easy to spot once a person feels more comfortable asking personal questions and insisting upon certain safety precautions when dating.

Online Dating and Self Expression: Many people believe because typing is such an enormous part of online dating that they will be unable to truly express who they are when the initial meetings are often limited to the written word. A great many individuals also fear that if they lack the skills to portray their personalities accurately through writing that they will be excluded from this method of dating. While online dating does require a healthy amount of introspection so that each individual can accurately describe both themselves and what type of person they are looking to date, having 5 star writing talents is not at all necessary, or even common amongst the majority of internet dating candidates. Most profiles and chat room etiquette are not judged by the style of writing so much as the attitude and general disposition of the author. When creating a profile a person is forced examine their own qualities, which can be a grueling process, but it is perhaps because people are forced to take a genuine look at their leading characteristics that online dating has enjoyed an amazing success rate amongst so many clients. Simply taking the time to make sure your profile is accurate and an accurate portrayal of your own personality is often all that it takes to begin meeting others; while this might be new territory for certain individuals, knowing yourself well enough to write a fair description will often greatly increase your chances not only for successful relationships, but in weeding out those people who would have previously required months of time to dismiss from the list of potentials.

Online Dating and Money: One of the largest complaints about online dating is that people feel frustrated with the idea of paying to meet people and in turn, also equate the idea to simply, having to pay for a date; this is simply not true. There are many sites on the web that host free online dating, including chatrooms and webcams so that individuals are able to search for prospective dates without any cost whatsoever. Other sites that charge often have an array of features which help to provide a more accurate meeting place for those who have simply been unable to find the right person. When becoming a member of an online dating site it is advisable to do a bit of research to be sure that the site offers the type of experience that you are looking for; many of these sites require payment, not for your date but for taking the time to analyze your profile and expertly match it with an array of other individuals who fit not only with your own personality, but with those traits you have requested in another person. This process eliminates months, even years of hassle in dating for many reasons. Think of the most common meeting places that adults share when looking to meet others; bars, concerts, clubs and other places of amusement are often used as starting off points for meeting potential dates. While some of these hotspots can be free of charge, for example many people seek to meet others through their churches or community activities, most cost a great deal to frequent and often give little in return. Another enormously positive feature of online dating is that it allows access to people you would often have never met locally; not only do many sites offer country wide match ups, but some even access profiles from around the world to make your match. For those people who are particularly romantic and believe in the idea of soul mates this access is incredibly important as it reaches any corner of the earth to bring two people together.

Much of the problem with the perception of online dating is that it is left over from an age when personal computers were still a newer idea; an age when it was believed that only those who were socially less desirable used these machines, while the rest of the world looked on with wonder, frustration and skepticism. Today's society has eliminated much of this perception and those who use computers at home are no longer considered geeky but cutting edge; many people access the internet on a daily basis through cell phones and this is considered perfectly normal for individuals with any social label. Why then, if computers are no longer just for geeks, do so many people still feel that online dating is a route only for the desperate? Simply because perceptions changing take time and many would rather wave the idea away, refusing to explore the success rates and opportunities that those who have used the services enjoy. As in many things, ignorance is the prime suspect for why online dating still suffers from such a stigma; with the ever growing population of the internet and the old labels and stereotypes melting away, taking a more accurate look at the world of online dating will in all likelihood be a step that many individuals make in the near future; if you are still searching for that special person taking advantage of this amazing way of connecting with others, might just be the key to finding a person who perfectly fits the needs and desires of your life.