Internet Dating: okay, Cupid, Show Me Your Seal Of Approval

OkCupid adds gaming that is social to online dating sites. Lester Public Library/via Flickr hide caption

We depend on community reviews for nearly every thing we do online — search for books, select films, find flats, browse task offers, join clubs and work out travel plans. Why maybe maybe perhaps not make use of the advice of y our online “friends” to assist in locating a brand new beau?

I have made a decision to take to internet dating again, and I also’m testing OkCupid. It really is a free online dating websites site that launched in 2005 by the founders of Crazy Blind Date.

On OkCupid you are not any longer alone while you search through pages. In reality, to start with We ended up being just a little overrun by just how much was taking place at the same time.

It’s a build up of each and every function provided in the most widely used social media sites: immediate texting, status updates, connection recommendations, interior email and blogs. However it is all aimed toward dating.

There was one distinguishing function of OkCupid that we find interesting. You can easily offer somebody a prize, such as for instance “Friends In Real lifestyle,” “Smarter compared to the Average Bear” and “the Date that is great, and you will put in a remark for their profile.

Adam, 28, also referred to as fluidHotMagma1, normally trying out OkC when it comes to first-time. He doesn’t always have any honors yet, but stated their life that is dating skyrocketed joining your website.

“I just like the honors concept as it differentiates the active people from those who just mess around or are stalkers,” Adam said via OkC email.

Since Adam and I also are casual users of online dating sites, we searched for somebody who causes it to be their business to comprehend online online dating sites.

E. Foley is just a geek that is self-proclaimed offers online dating assistance to other geeks on her GeeksDreamGirl site. Foley has tried OkC as well as some other online dating sites. She stated in the past Match.com possessed a “Match My Friends” feature where you are able to keep testimonials on pages.

“I’m not certain we’ve heard about anyone who decided on a night out together according to exactly how many ‘Makes Me Laugh’ prizes they will have,” said Foley. Although, Foley has ranted on the weblog about OkCupid within the past, she does acknowledge the prizes really are a “lighthearted, fun solution to commemorate friends and family’ finer characteristics.”

I came across one OkC member that has a few prizes yet echoes Foley’s terms.

“Tuffington,” 31, an user that is okc bay area, has five “Friends In Real Life” prizes and a “Perfect Mix” honor, but stated the honors appear worthless.

“no body has ever mentioned my prizes,” Tuffington said via OkC email. “The only relationship i could see after all could be the dudes click to my profile from honors that we left for any other girls.”

This can be one downside that we noted, too. Once I look at honor, if I go through the connect to see who’s offering the prize, i understand my profile will appear as being a “visitor” on another girl’s profile.

David Mott is another expert that is self-proclaimed dater that has tried numerous internet dating sites, and shortly tried away OkC. He writes about dating and single parenting on their dadshouseblog.com. Mott brought up another point.

“Can you really attest to someone’s dating behavior?” Mott asked me personally via email. “i will say my friend is a guy that is good but he may be described as a sleaze from the dating scene, and I also wouldn’t understand it,” Mott stated.

Mott additionally noticed that if much of your buddies are hitched, they’dn’t be an integral part of the site that is dating in a position to present a prize.

But that’s the idea of utilizing the honors function and social networking on an online dating internet site. You’re in a location where you need certainly to make use of the advice of other people in identical network that is online exactly like you do on Amazon.com, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.

I believe OkC is merely reminding us that with a help that is little our buddies, the dating game could be enjoyable.