The 4 business models of dating sites

In this article, we will discuss the different types of business models that are implemented in this lucrative Internet dating business.

• 1. The monthly subscription model

The most widespread economic model is that of a paid subscription, allowing members to exchange with each other, subject to having paid the amount requested (generally between 15 and 45€/month). The sites offer free registrations, but encourage subscribers to upgrade to paid models. Indeed, they receive messages that they cannot consult and answer, as long as they do not pay the subscription. This ends up frustrating the registrant who realizes they can’t do anything without taking out a paid subscription.

Be careful, because some fraudulent sites send false messages from false profiles, in order to encourage paying a subscription. In this context, we advise you to register only in sites with the largest number of members, and which are not dependent on these subterfuges to gain new subscribers.

• 2. Freemium models in dating

Beyond paid subscriptions, sites offer free exchanges, but require payment on a case-by-case basis to highlight profiles, what is called the freemium service. This model is particularly used for dating applications, while websites tend to aim for a payment system via subscriptions. This is the case of Tinder and Happn, which can be used for free, but which build essential features, which consequently force the member to subscribe to an additional paid subscription. There is the monthly subscription form, but also an operation via credits which give the right to features. In freemium, the offers are usually aimed at men, because women don’t need them.

• 3. Free dating sites

Finally, other sites exist, and are really completely free. They finance themselves solely through advertising, using tools such as Google AdSense and affiliate marketing. Since advertising revenue is small compared to membership fees, this model requires a large number of page views to achieve profitability. However, Sam Yagan describes dating sites as ideal advertising platforms due to the wealth of demographic data made available by users.

Be careful, however, since these sites receive a large number of registrations from foreign countries, attracted by the fact that registration is free, and can thus attempt to extort money from you. We invite you to report on our ranking presenting the trust of dating sites, and on the probability of coming across fake profiles.

• 4. Advertising

Reselling advertising and data to advertisers is the economic model selected by Facebook Dating, which should be launched at the end of 2020 in France. So, the product is you, and your subscription is paid for by the consultation and the fact that you click on advertisements.

Our recommendations on the type of site to choose

As part of stat-dating, we have made a ranking between paid & free sites, which will allow you to make the best choice, knowing that we recommend that you rather go to a serious site, of the type Meetic.fr, because they offer a team of moderators who can erase fake profiles, by scammers from abroad. On the free sites, it will be necessary to be all the more vigilant. Furthermore, we think that a person ready to pay is in a serious dating process, while a person registered for free on a dating site, such as Tinder, will be statistically less interested in a lasting relationship.

You can consult our list of 118 dating sites in France

Pierre

I created stat-rencontres.fr to help you choose the dating site that statistically matches you.

In fact, I’ve always had “couple arranger” fibre, to help my friends find shoe on their feet.. which is already the case for me.

find the channel Youtube of Stat-Dating ici.

If you have some reactions / questions, you can put them in the comments, With pleasure,