Online Love Booms as Economy Busts

Online, August 21, 2013 (Newswire.com) - New research has suggested that more people are looking for love and long term commitment as their economic prospects decline. What's more, they are increasingly turning to the internet and online dating to help them achieve this.

"Finding someone special has definitely jumped up the list of priorities in the last year. I think people who may have previously been very work focused, are now realising work doesn't answer all their questions." said be2's 'intelligence analyst' Jose Fitzgerald.

Some identified economic difficulties as a direct motivation for finding a stable partnership to help them through the tough times. In the new survey of singles, conducted by be2 (www.be2.com.au),37% of respondents identified the need to share expenses as a reason to search for a new partner and 56% said the economic crisis had in some way increased their desire to find a partner.

Online dating saves money

Many see online dating as the most cost efficient way to find their new partner, with 31% enrolling with online dating sites like be2 because they represented value for money, compared with more traditional dating agencies. Even going out to bars or clubs to find love, is too expensive for 35% of respondents.

"With be2 you know what you are getting for your money. Compared with spending money socialising where you may well come away with nothing, be2 guarantees you matches and contacts when you sign up. What's more many of our respondents find that chatting on be2 is a fast way to get to know people*, with more serious conversations being conducted online than you might have in a typical night out."

Despite economic gloom be2 reaches 20 million

Be2 now has over 20 million customers and operates in 37 countries around the world.

"The economic crisis has not adversely affected be2. On the contrary, be2's membership has grown and grown through the period, with our 20 millionth member joining only last month!"