Dateline Platinum's Research Shows Surge in Online Dating Driven by More than Credit Crunch as Users Look For New Year Love

Online, February 1, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Online dating specialist Dateline Platinum have announced an increase in membership numbers over the past three months, with the Christmas period and New Year seeing peaks in new members registering with the agency. The use of the site by existing members has also continued to increase dramatically over the holiday period.

Dating agencies across the UK are reporting increased membership numbers as daters look for successful and cost-effective ways to meet new partners in the wake of the credit crunch. However, Dateline's online specialists note that the seasonal peak of dating site users in December and January is an annual trend, reflecting many single daters' increased interest in beginning the New Year with a new relationship as much as the recent economic downturn.

Analysis of search engine traffic driven by users searching for online dating sites shows an approximate increase of between 25 -33% in the months of December and January, compared to October and November each year.

Eddy Ankrett, Chairman of Dateline Platinum, commented: "Many dating agencies, including Dateline Platinum, are experiencing record numbers of members. This is frequently attributed to the credit crunch, which is certainly a major factor in the trend. However, Dateline has been providing introductions since 1966, and has been aware of a seasonal increase in membership in the early New Year for many years.

"January is often a time for reflection and so is an important time for dating, with many New Year's resolutions involving improving or beginning relationships. We interview all new members before they join Dateline Platinum to find out more about the type of relationship they are looking for, and why they have made the decision to look for a new partner - more than ever before are telling us that spending this Christmas without a partner has made them more determined to meet someone in time for the next one."