By the press, for the press!

If you are doing research on something like “online dating” or “online dating agencies” or if you are looking for studies and statistics on the online dating sector, we are your contact.

By now we have collected quite some background information about this industry and are able to provide you with the latest information on different groups of themes. And: compared with the providers of online dating sites, we don’t see things through rose-tinted glasses.

End of year review: Where did the Brits love to visit on the internet in 2018?
Following long-standing tests of dating sites, the comparison portal leadingdatingsites.co.uk wanted to find out in which regions they are generally popular. With the aid of Google Trends and a 12 month time period, several portals were surveyed and the most popular have been compiled for you in the form of various graphics. » End of year review: Where did the Brits love to visit on the internet in 2018? - Free PDF document - Published on December 2018 - Should you mention this study, please cite us as a source - Associated press release
The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015
Online Dating studies are quite rare. As such, our aim is to become pioneers in this area with regards to the research and the presentation of key facts and figures, bringing you a more accurate view of the british online dating market: » The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015 - Free PDF document - Published on October 2015 - Should you mention this study, please cite us as a source - Associated press release - Use of Diagrams please only with source citation:
Investigation 2016: The Security Risks of Dating Apps
What rights do the 10 most popular Android dating apps take from you during the installation process? What parts of your smartphone (contact, photos, location) do they have access to? » Investigation: The Security Risks of Dating Apps 2016 (Please send specimen copy upon use) » Accompanying Press Release » Associated Diagram (PNG)
Older Information about Online Dating in the UK:
Since 2004 we carry out the quantitative assessment of online dating European markets. With a direct connection with leading providers we've also been able to collect reliable figures for UK: » The online dating market in the UK (2013/2014) - Free PDF document - Published on August 2014 - In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate if you mention us as source. - Associated press release - Use of Diagrams please only with source citation:
GlobalDatingInsights.com provides news, features, analysis, opinion and information regarding the online dating industry: » The online dating industry report (2013/2014) - Interviews with some of the biggest dating site operators - Inside look at start-ups - The future of niche dating sites
Driven by our knowledge from 12 other European countries we compiled the first reliable market analysis for the UK: » The online dating market in the UK (2011/2012) - Free PDF document - Published on September 2012 - In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate if you mention us as source. - Associated infographic - Use of Diagrams please only with source citation - Associated press release
The International Online Dating Market:
This international Dating Services Report shows how the different areas (matchmaking, online dating and casual dating) are and will be growing in the next few years. What kind of services do people in the US, Europe or China use? What will the developments be like? You can find all the information here: » Dating Services Report 2016 - Published by Statista on November 2016
Transnational studies on Online Dating are almost non-existent. Therefore, we have set the goal for ourselves to be the pioneers in this regard researching and presenting the key facts and figures to you on the European online dating market: » The Online Dating Market in Europe 2012 - Free PDF document - Published on November 2012 - In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate if you mention us as source. - Associated press release
Ask our expert for all matters relating to online dating:
Our specialist for the UK: Henning Wiechers Henning and his team have spent over 100 hours testing the best dating sites. There are no questions we can not answer. If in doubt, please contact Henning or his team. We will gladly answer your questions. Contact us: [email protected] Follow Henning in Google+
Mentions in Websites and Media:
On globaldatinginsights.com - Mar. 07 2017 32% Of Singles Have Felt Worried About Their Safety When Speaking To Someone Online [...] “It is essential that dating agencies encourage and support their members to report all incidents and concerns and that the mechanism for reporting is clear and easy to follow. “This not only helps the individual involved, but may also safeguard other users as online dating agencies can spot potential problems and act immediately to protect their members.” The study also found that although 75% of people who had seen safety advice also read it, 53% did not act on it, although 53% said they were already careful and 47% said they were doing everything suggested. However, it isn’t all bad news – the research said there are around 7.8m adults using online dating services in the UK alone (a figure taken from The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015 report). In addition to this, 44% of people admitted it was easier and quicker to get to know someone online, compared to in person. [...]
On theguardian.com - Feb. 14 2016 Breaking up is hard to do … but what if it’s the dating website who won’t let go? Members of Match.com have inundated us with tales of cancelled subscriptions that are auto-renewing, leaving them out of pocket. Anna Tims reports on trouble in paradise [...] "...auto-renewal is a big issue, according to Leadingdatingsites.co.uk, a dating review website run by German firm Metaflake, which collates data and reviews on dating agencies and publishes it across Europe. "Dating sites will state quite clearly in their terms and conditions that paid subscriptions are automatically renewed, although as most of us know, not many of us tend to read these when signing up for a product," says its UK manager Liam Hennessy. 'This is often, though not always, what tends to catch people out.' [...]
On the-pool.com - Jun. 05 2015 What do you learn at an online dating workshop? a seminar on meeting people on the internet left Marisa Bate feeling bitter [...] And, for those like me, who work too many hours, sit in an office full of women and live in a city where talking to strangers is seen as borderline insanity, online dating seems like a solution to this “new era”. And I’m not alone. According to a 2014 study, there are around 7.1 million singles online in the UK every month, looking for a partner. [...]
On telegraph.co.uk - Mar. 28 2015 I spent £1,300 on a dating agency that had 'run out of men' Aileen Edwards, 61, paid through the nose to be introduced to gentlemen she'd already found on Plentyoffish.com, a free dating website [...] Last year, 7.1 million single Britons looked for a partner online, 800,000 more than in 2011, when, according to Leadingdatingsites.co.uk, there were 6.3 million. But despite the significant increase in the number of daters, total revenue for the UK dating industry is falling, meaning firms are making less money per head. In the two years between 2011 and 2013 alone, revenue dropped by £9m from £168m to £159m. [...]
On femalefirst.co.uk - Nov. 15 2014 British women favour dates in the pub! New research conducted by Leadingdatingssites.co.uk that found British woman are practical when deciding on their destination of choice for first dates. We asked Pamela Moucha from the website to comment on why British ladies are so savvy when it comes to the setting for their dates! [...] British singles are the only group where 0% of the singles meets the blind date for a sport activity. To explain or interpret the survey, we go back in parts on the etiquette and the old School manner of Gentleman and Lady. [...]
On thedailybeast.com - Feb. 14 2014 Why Online Dating Is Struggling to Go Global bad news for proprietors of online dating, especially American and British online-dating companies that have struggled to appeal to international consumers. [...] These companies were sometimes felled by practical idiosyncrasies. For example, Henning Wiechers, from Leading Dating Sites, said many American online dating companies initially offered credit cards as the sole payment method in Europe, not knowing that only 25 percent of Germans own them. [...]
On guardian.co.uk - Oct. 3 2013 Online daters to win protection from cheats and frauds in crackdown In spite of fraud, the industry thrives. In 2011, British dating sites made £169m from 6.2 million people logging on every month [...] Henning Wiechers, chief executive of Metaflake, which reviews some of the 1,500 dating sites available in Britain, said online dating agencies were also motivated by fear of having their business taken by Facebook and Microsoft, which is said to be interested in entering the market. [...]
Voice of Russia (VoR) - Dec. 25 2012 Interview/debate with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites and other experts: Online dating: are Brits worse at flirting than other Europeans? » MP3 of the interview (28 min)
On Talk Radio Europe - Dec. 07 2012 Interview with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites as expert: Does online dating work for the 50plus? » MP3 of the interview (16 min - 11,3 MB)
On dailymail.co.uk - Nov. 28 2012 Online dating, Britain's boom industry: Businesses contribute £170m to the economy as nine million Brits log on to look for love More than nine million Britons are thought to have logged on looking for a perfect match. They are contributing to a business that last year generated £170million for the UK economy. [...] The figures, which come from Metaflake, a company that reviews online dating agencies and runs leadingdatingsites.co.uk, also show the UK market jumped 6 per cent last year... [...]
On BBC Radio Scotland - Nov. 28 2012 Interview with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites as expert: Why are the Brits European leader in Online Dating? » MP3 of the interview (4:03 min)
On guardian.co.uk - Nov. 26 2012 Britons find love – and sex – online in booming £170m dating market More than 9 million woo on 1,500 websites from Match to Uniform Dating – but 25% are in a relationship [...] Now that figure is 9.1 million, according to the Metaflake study, with two-thirds using mainstream dating sites such as Match and eHarmony, while 2.8 million pursue "erotic encounters" on websites such as Shagaholic... [...]
On uk.finance.yahoo.com/ - Nov. 26 2012 UK's Leading Dating Sites: The United Kingdom is Europe’s online dating hotspot The information portal LeadingDatingSites.co.uk has compared the European dating industries for the first time in a cross-border study. [...] "The European Online Dating Sector 2012" has come to a flattering conclusion for the British: when it comes to seeking a partner on the Internet they are way out in front on several scores. [...]
On Finance.yahoo.com - Sep. 17 2012 LeadingDatingSites.co.uk: British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts “LeadingDatingSites.co.uk”. [...] ...“Premium-priced quality platforms which have well-honed audiences and good customer service are the ones who get ahead in all sectors”, says Danielle Baker from LeadingDatingSites, summarizing the survey. “Single customers are willing to pay more for better service”. See the Study in PDF and the Infographic above.
On ad-hoc-news.de - Sep. 16 2012 "The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating ..." UK's Leading Dating Sites: British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online [...] The British online dating market grew a full 6% on the previous year – in 2011, turnover stood at £168.5 million. This huge increase is due largely to aggressive advertising on the part of leading online dating sites. [...]
On marketwatch.com - Sep. 16 2012 UK's Leading Dating Sites: British singles spend more than GBP 168 million looking for love online The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts "LeadingDatingSites.co.uk". [...] In 2011, people from the UK spent more than GBP 9.6 million more than in the previous year on online dating. [...]
All media articles on our German site www.singleboersen-vergleich.de
Our Press Releases:
Toxic Online Dating Trends in the UK 2018 An online survey by leadingdatingsites.co.uk London ,6.3.2018 - The independent dating market observer Leadingdatingsites.co.uk examined the press of the last two decades to evaluate the development in the dating terminology. It was found that in 2016 an abundance of new terms was introduced and quickly gained popularity throughout the media. This article is seeking to introduce and define these expressions. Defining the terms, it was also discovered that not only technology has developed, but also that the online dating site user’s behavior has adapted accordingly. Especially the dishonest grew accustomed to the possibilities that arose. For instance, in 2000 the term romance scammer was used frequently. In the years to come the terminology evolved and a striking amount of new terms, mostly with negative notions surfaced. Plenty of fish conducted a study on the subject of dating behaviors of the “millennial” generation in 2016. This generation born between 1980 and 2000 is widely known for its adversity to commitment. Results showed that 80% of the surveyed had been affected by the phenomenon “ghosting” before, which is congruent to the findings of Leadingdatingsites.co.uk. Learn more about the terminology in this in-depth guide: www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/online-dating-tips-for-singles/ghosting-benching.htm
Tinder was Paralympics favourite Dating App / 217 athletes swiped their way to new romance LONDON – In the same way Tinder was the first choice for Olympians seeking uncomplicated dates, it is also Paralympians favourite contact app. However, unlike the Olympians, the Paralympics athletes were already swiping furiously away even as the games were still in progress, LeadingDatingSites.co.uk can reveal. 32 year old Trevor plays table tennis for Australia and announced on the first day of the games "Looking for interesting women for fun dating…" He is only one of the 161 men and 56 women amongst the 3.800 Paralympics participants, trainers and support staff that the research team has identified. Tinder was able to kick sand in the faces of all the other mainstream apps, be it Hinge, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagle, POF, Happn or HowAboutWe: They only managed 10 each, at best. "This is the first time a mainstream app has been able to help people with disabilities" said Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites of the research. Normally they use special interest sites. As regards the online profiles Henning Wiechers said there was no difference between the Olympian and Paralympian users: "The boys showed off their muscles and medals, whereas the ladies showed their beauty and chose their words well."
UK's Dating Industry 2015: On the Rise Again! British online dating sector pleased about 166 million GBP turnover LONDON 14.10.2015 – After a period of weak economic activity, the British online dating market in 2014 recovered with nearly 5% growth. For the first time, operators of online dating platforms achieved notable revenue from smartphone users. Another focus point of the current market study from LeadingDatingSites.co.uk is the data hack of the ‘cheating’ site AshleyMadison and its effects on the relational trust of the Brits. Monetisation of “Smartphone Dating” Flirting and searching for a romantic partner happens everywhere and all the time now, thanks to the prevalence of smartphones. However, the mobile users’ willingness to pay is significantly lower than that of PC and Notebook users. Dating site operators have therefore turned their focus to developing their mobile products technically and with a view to clever sales strategies. Through this, they have managed to generate a significant portion of income from app users. The complete turnover of the UK dating market in 2014 lay at 166.6 million GBP, an increase of 7.9 million GBP compared to the previous year. Data hack blows the whistle on cheaters AdultFriendFinder (sex contact) and AshleyMadison (affair dating site), two of the biggest international adult dating portals, were effected by data theft in 2015. Despite the release of millions of personal users' data, users continued their search on the Web for a no-strings affair unperturbed: the number of new sign ups in August was even higher than before the data hack. Henning Wiechers of LeadingDatingSites.co.uk states: “The hack has provided exciting headlines, but nevertheless the British infidelity continues to flourish.” Download the complete market study here: www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/onlinedating-market-uk-2015.pdf
Test report: How dangerous is Tinder Stalking? How to set your dating app risk to zero LONDON - 21.04.2015 – Dating apps like Tinder are not only a highly frequented address for the quick flirt, but they also offer a welcoming platform for stalkers and snoopers. Instructions on how to get someone’s private information are currently circulating on the Internet. The experts from Dating Sites Reviews have tested 100 Tinder profiles to see how high the stalking risk on dating apps really is, and to effectively protect one from them. No danger despite alarming individual cases: Of the 50 men and women profiles which were examined in the test for their strength of privacy, no stalking was possible using a dating app in 60 percent of the cases. The pursuit ended at the Google image search. However, in a particularly extreme case, the testers could have surprised a Tinder user directly at their workplace. Tinder stalking is when someone can identify the full name of a stalking victim on Facebook, or, in the worst case, directly in the private life by using Google image search just with a picture from a dating app and a first name. Although there are quite a few examples of stalking which are known, there is not a reason to panic: “If you stick to just a few basic rules, you can set your personal Tinder app risk to 0”, says Henning Wiechers of the UK's LeadingDatingSites. A rule for protecting oneself against Tinder stalking is: Never use the same profile picture for multiple social platforms! If someone uses the same picture for dating on Tinder, and also on social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or other open profiles, they run the risk that this becomes the connecting piece of information for stalkers. The 3 best anti-stalking tips from the complete test https://www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/online-dating-tips-for-singles/tinder-stalking-test.htm
UK's Online Dating Market 2014: Social dating attracts new users, yet revenue declines LONDON, 27 August 2014 – Unrest in the British online dating industry: Although the number of monthly users over the last two years has increased 13 percent to a total of 7.1 million users, revenue has decreased a total of 9,800,00 GBP in the same period. As the current market report by leadingdatingsites.co.uk shows, a migration to new social dating providers is posing an obstacle for smaller websites. New user groups: The number of online dating users in Great Britain has never been higher. The influx is mainly due to the new set of social dating players in the market. For the first time, providers like BADOO have captured the under 20 demographic thanks to their casual 'Meet new people' approach: "Traditionally, this demographic was rarely active on online dating websites", explains Henning Wiechers of the UK's LeadingDatingSites. Declining industry revenue: Despite the increase of new users, total revenue has been decreasing for the past two years. The weak monetization of users is mostly due to improved consumer protection regulations. However, this is not a reason for providers to worry: At 2.60 GBP of sales per user, the dating industry in the UK is still in leader when compared to other European countries. Need to establish: Although social dating websites have made considerable inroads and captured 30 percent of all users, websites focusing on online personals and adult dating are still the market leaders in terms of revenue. Wiechers: "TINDER, SCOUT & Co have to present a mature business model and prove that they can establish themselves for the long term.”
Single gals like going for a drink Dates arranged over the Internet mostly take place in the pub LONDON, 14. November 2013 - British singles like to be sociable, including during that first date with someone they met over the Internet, as proven by a recent survey conducted among 13,279 European dating site users. The overwhelming majority of British singles met their blind date in the UK’s favourite public place: the pub. Only 1 in 4 proved to be willing to take the risk during a blind date of arranging to meet in private. Single women in various European countries could learn a lot from the British when it comes to blind dates. Take Dutch women, for example, with 1 in 3 irresponsible enough to arrange having a blind date in their own home. Or Italian women, who willingly get into their new suitor’s car on the first date. Pub culture shapes dating culture British females take a different approach – single people in the UK prefer to arrange a first date in that one place they like the most, after thier own living room, that is: "The UK’s pronounced pub culture plays a natural part in dating. Most single women prefer to meet their blind date in a relaxed atmosphere, over a pint in the pub", says Pamela Moucha of UK's LeadingDatingSites in response to the results of the survey. Nonetheless, almost 25% of British single women take the risk of meeting their date in private, and around half of the single women surveyed are bold enough to invite their blind date into their homes. "Not to mention the dangers that such a situation might entail, every woman should be aware that it may become awkward if she doesn't like the guy and wants to get rid of him as soon as possible", says Moucha. Sports on a blind date: a big no-no! In order to get to know their new online acquaintance, single people in Denmark, France and Sweden are happy to arrange a date involving a sporting activity. For the British, however, playing sport during such an occasion is an absolute no-no, continues Moucha. "Meeting for the first time in a sweaty, sporty atmosphere is not fitting with the image of the gentleman and the British lady". In this respect, the single men and women of the UK are in agreement. When looking for and getting to know another person, Churchill's wisdom of "No sports!" often applies – on the first date, at least. Statistics: How irresponsible are single women in Europe? www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/press/infographic-last-internet-date.jpg
The United Kingdom is Europe’s online dating hotspot Highest concentration of singles, highest turnover – Brits dominate on all fronts LONDON, 26. November 2012- The information portal LeadingDatingSites.co.uk has compared the European dating industries for the first time in a cross-border study. "The European Online Dating Sector 2012" has come to a flattering conclusion for the British: when it comes to seeking a partner on the Internet they are way out in front on several scores. Every month, 32 million out of some 396 million Europeans log on to dating sites seeking a partner, i.e. a good half of all the European singles regularly surfing the Internet. And another 15 million Europeans log on to “adult dating” sites seeking erotic encounters of all kinds. A good proportion of these are logging on from the British Isles, where 6.3 million Britons visit dating sites every month and another 2.8 million are using dating sites to look for erotic encounters. It’s not just that the UK has the highest concentration of single people in the European comparative study. “The British also hold all the cards with the most colourful dating landscape", in the opinion of Robert Bailey of LeadingDatingSites.co.uk. No other European country is as varied and diverse as the United Kingdom, particularly when you consider the vast array of themed singles dating sites, from “Cougar Dating” to “Uniform Dating”. Europe has around 5,000 dating portals and approximately 1,500 of these come from the UK. And when it comes to turnover, the UK beats the other Europeans hands down as well. Although it has a much smaller population, the UK, generating an annual turnover of € 211 million euro, is well ahead of Germany, which comes second with € 203 million, followed by France with €122 million in third place. Bailey puts Britain’s lead in Europe down to its mentality. "The British are just so enlightened and open minded and that’s why so many people try online dating” The compact study “The European Online Dating Market 2012” is available as a PDF
British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online. Nearly 30% of all relationships are formed online in 2012. LONDON, 17. September 2012 - The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts “LeadingDatingSites.co.uk”. In 2011, people from the UK spent more than £9.6 million more than in the previous year on online dating. The industry is also a hit in Europe: nearly a third of people who meet each other for love now do so online. The British online dating market grew a full 6% on the previous year – in 2011, turnover stood at £168.5 million. This huge increase is due largely to aggressive advertising on the part of leading online dating sites. “Premium-priced quality platforms which have well-honed audiences and good customer service are the ones who get ahead in all sectors”, says Danielle Baker from LeadingDatingSites, summarizing the survey. “Single customers are willing to pay more for better service”. Online dating is a booming industry around the world, and European singles have caught on, becoming the sector’s largest audience. In 2012, nearly thirty percent of all relationships in the EU are formed online, and the British are holding the fort. Every month, around 6.2 million users log on to dating sites, and a further 2.7 million take part in ‘casual dating’, looking for erotic encounters. At the same time, Britain hosts about 50 online dating sites which have now crossed the 100,000 member mark. Less pricey, but somewhat more superficial sites for 18-30 year olds have become available to those looking for casual dates and a distraction from the Facebook environment. They are also available as Smartphone Apps and offer features such as location-based real-time search functions for spontaneous encounters.
UK dating industry hits GBP160m mark UK providers of online dating services dominate the domestic market and leer at Europe London, February 12, 2011 - UK singles have been jumping on online dating websites for several years. Meanwhile, most of them are prepared to pay for these services - at a progressive rate, this is also the case for ladies. This is one of the findings of the recent survey "Online dating services in UK" which is based on a poll answered by 46 leading companies of the dating industry. In 2010, Britains have spent a total of GBP160m on online dating. This is an increase of 8.4% compared to the year before. The market segment of online matchmakers increased the most (by 12.8%) followed by online personals and dating services for amorous adventures. For 2011, the industry predicts a turnover of GBP175m. The number of singles looking for a partner (about 6 million per month) does not vary much. Celia Enders, initiator of the survey, says: "These days, the leading providers do not concentrate on fast growth anymore, but rather on quality as well as on customer loyalty in order to generate more money per member. The singles looking for a partner honour this increase in quality and are prepared to pay higher prices." This does also apply to the ladies who must, at 43% of the providers questioned, pay member fees as well. How will the leading UK providers acquit themselves in Europe and the rest of the world? Celia Enders thinks that the companies will be successful and dares to make a prediction: "The European markets will be divided within the next one or two years and UK online dating providers will have a strong position on the market. In our opinion, it is likely that major US companies that missed this opportunity will put out their feelers towards the market leaders in Europe." However, no UK company has ever dared the leap on the highly competitive American market, but due to increasing profits and increasing self-confidence this is merely a matter of time. About this survey The survey "Online dating services in UK" is based on the most comprehensive survey ever cast about UK online dating providers. In the first quarter of 2011, a total of 46 leading online dating companies were questioned about their market data, estimation and strategies.

End of year review: Where did the Brits love to visit on the internet in 2018?

Following long-standing tests of dating sites, the comparison portal leadingdatingsites.co.uk wanted to find out in which regions they are generally popular. With the aid of Google Trends and a 12 month time period, several portals were surveyed and the most popular have been compiled for you in the form of various graphics.

» End of year review: Where did the Brits love to visit on the internet in 2018?

- Free PDF document
- Published on December 2018
- Should you mention this study, please cite us as a source
- Associated press release

The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015

Online Dating studies are quite rare. As such, our aim is to become pioneers in this area with regards to the research and the presentation of key facts and figures, bringing you a more accurate view of the british online dating market:

» The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015

- Free PDF document
- Published on October 2015
- Should you mention this study, please cite us as a source
- Associated press release

- Use of Diagrams please only with source citation:

Investigation 2016: The Security Risks of Dating Apps

What rights do the 10 most popular Android dating apps take from you during the installation process? What parts of your smartphone (contact, photos, location) do they have access to?

» Investigation: The Security Risks of Dating Apps 2016
(Please send specimen copy upon use)

» Accompanying Press Release

» Associated Diagram (PNG)

Older Information about Online Dating in the UK:

Since 2004 we carry out the quantitative assessment of online dating European markets. With a direct connection with leading providers we've also been able to collect reliable figures for UK:

» The online dating market in the UK (2013/2014)

- Free PDF document
- Published on August 2014
- In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate
if you mention us as source.

- Associated press release
- Use of Diagrams please only with source citation:

GlobalDatingInsights.com provides news, features, analysis, opinion and information regarding the online dating industry:

» The online dating industry report (2013/2014)

- Interviews with some of the biggest dating site operators
- Inside look at start-ups
- The future of niche dating sites

Driven by our knowledge from 12 other European countries we compiled the first reliable market analysis for the UK:

» The online dating market in the UK (2011/2012)

- Free PDF document
- Published on September 2012
- In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate
if you mention us as source.

- Associated infographic
- Use of Diagrams please only with source citation
- Associated press release

The International Online Dating Market:

This international Dating Services Report shows how the different areas (matchmaking, online dating and casual dating) are and will be growing in the next few years. What kind of services do people in the US, Europe or China use? What will the developments be like? You can find all the information here:

» Dating Services Report 2016

- Published by Statista on November 2016

Transnational studies on Online Dating are almost non-existent. Therefore, we have set the goal for ourselves to be the pioneers in this regard researching and presenting the key facts and figures to you on the European online dating market:

» The Online Dating Market in Europe 2012

- Free PDF document
- Published on November 2012
- In case you want to mention this study, we would appreciate
if you mention us as source.
- Associated press release

Ask our expert for all matters relating to online dating:

Our specialist for the UK: Henning Wiechers

Henning and his team have spent over 100 hours testing the best dating sites. There are no questions we can not answer. If in doubt, please contact Henning or his team. We will gladly answer your questions.

Follow Henning in Google+

Mentions in Websites and Media:

On globaldatinginsights.com - Mar. 07 2017

32% Of Singles Have Felt Worried About Their Safety When Speaking To Someone Online

[...]

“It is essential that dating agencies encourage and support their members to report all incidents and concerns and that the mechanism for reporting is clear and easy to follow.

“This not only helps the individual involved, but may also safeguard other users as online dating agencies can spot potential problems and act immediately to protect their members.”

The study also found that although 75% of people who had seen safety advice also read it, 53% did not act on it, although 53% said they were already careful and 47% said they were doing everything suggested.

However, it isn’t all bad news – the research said there are around 7.8m adults using online dating services in the UK alone (a figure taken from The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015 report).

In addition to this, 44% of people admitted it was easier and quicker to get to know someone online, compared to in person.

[...]

On theguardian.com - Feb. 14 2016

Breaking up is hard to do … but what if it’s the dating website who won’t let go?

Members of Match.com have inundated us with tales of cancelled subscriptions that are auto-renewing, leaving them out of pocket. Anna Tims reports on trouble in paradise

[...]

"...auto-renewal is a big issue, according to Leadingdatingsites.co.uk, a dating review website run by German firm Metaflake, which collates data and reviews on dating agencies and publishes it across Europe.

"Dating sites will state quite clearly in their terms and conditions that paid subscriptions are automatically renewed, although as most of us know, not many of us tend to read these when signing up for a product," says its UK manager Liam Hennessy. 'This is often, though not always, what tends to catch people out.'

[...]

On the-pool.com - Jun. 05 2015

What do you learn at an online dating workshop?

a seminar on meeting people on the internet left Marisa Bate feeling bitter

[...]

And, for those like me, who work too many hours, sit in an office full of women and live in a city where talking to strangers is seen as borderline insanity, online dating seems like a solution to this “new era”. And I’m not alone. According to a 2014 study, there are around 7.1 million singles online in the UK every month, looking for a partner.

[...]

On telegraph.co.uk - Mar. 28 2015

I spent £1,300 on a dating agency that had 'run out of men'

Aileen Edwards, 61, paid through the nose to be introduced to gentlemen she'd already found on Plentyoffish.com, a free dating website

[...]

Last year, 7.1 million single Britons looked for a partner online, 800,000 more than in 2011, when, according to Leadingdatingsites.co.uk, there were 6.3 million.

But despite the significant increase in the number of daters, total revenue for the UK dating industry is falling, meaning firms are making less money per head. In the two years between 2011 and 2013 alone, revenue dropped by £9m from £168m to £159m.

[...]

On femalefirst.co.uk - Nov. 15 2014

British women favour dates in the pub!

New research conducted by Leadingdatingssites.co.uk that found British woman are practical when deciding on their destination of choice for first dates. We asked Pamela Moucha from the website to comment on why British ladies are so savvy when it comes to the setting for their dates!

[...]

British singles are the only group where 0% of the singles meets the blind date for a sport activity. To explain or interpret the survey, we go back in parts on the etiquette and the old School manner of Gentleman and Lady.

[...]

On thedailybeast.com - Feb. 14 2014

Why Online Dating Is Struggling to Go Global

bad news for proprietors of online dating, especially American and British online-dating companies that have struggled to appeal to international consumers.

[...]

These companies were sometimes felled by practical idiosyncrasies. For example, Henning Wiechers, from Leading Dating Sites, said many American online dating companies initially offered credit cards as the sole payment method in Europe, not knowing that only 25 percent of Germans own them.

[...]

On guardian.co.uk - Oct. 3 2013

Online daters to win protection from cheats and frauds in crackdown

In spite of fraud, the industry thrives. In 2011, British dating sites made £169m from 6.2 million people logging on every month

[...]

Henning Wiechers, chief executive of Metaflake, which reviews some of the 1,500 dating sites available in Britain, said online dating agencies were also motivated by fear of having their business taken by Facebook and Microsoft, which is said to be interested in entering the market.

[...]

Voice of Russia (VoR) - Dec. 25 2012

Interview/debate with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites and other experts:

Online dating: are Brits worse at flirting than other Europeans?

» MP3 of the interview (28 min)

On Talk Radio Europe - Dec. 07 2012

Interview with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites as expert:

Does online dating work for the 50plus?

» MP3 of the interview (16 min - 11,3 MB)

On dailymail.co.uk - Nov. 28 2012

Online dating, Britain's boom industry: Businesses contribute £170m to the economy as nine million Brits log on to look for love

More than nine million Britons are thought to have logged on looking for a perfect match. They are contributing to a business that last year generated £170million for the UK economy.

[...]

The figures, which come from Metaflake, a company that reviews online dating agencies and runs leadingdatingsites.co.uk, also show the UK market jumped 6 per cent last year...

[...]

On BBC Radio Scotland - Nov. 28 2012

Interview with Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites as expert:

Why are the Brits European leader in Online Dating?

» MP3 of the interview (4:03 min)

On guardian.co.uk - Nov. 26 2012

Britons find love – and sex – online in booming £170m dating market

More than 9 million woo on 1,500 websites from Match to Uniform Dating – but 25% are in a relationship

[...]

Now that figure is 9.1 million, according to the Metaflake study, with two-thirds using mainstream dating sites such as Match and eHarmony, while 2.8 million pursue "erotic encounters" on websites such as Shagaholic...

[...]

On uk.finance.yahoo.com/ - Nov. 26 2012

UK's Leading Dating Sites: The United Kingdom is Europe’s online dating hotspot

The information portal LeadingDatingSites.co.uk has compared the European dating industries for the first time in a cross-border study.

[...]

"The European Online Dating Sector 2012" has come to a flattering conclusion for the British: when it comes to seeking a partner on the Internet they are way out in front on several scores.

[...]

On Finance.yahoo.com - Sep. 17 2012

LeadingDatingSites.co.uk: British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online

The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts “LeadingDatingSites.co.uk”.

[...]

...“Premium-priced quality platforms which have well-honed audiences and good customer service are the ones who get ahead in all sectors”, says Danielle Baker from LeadingDatingSites, summarizing the survey. “Single customers are willing to pay more for better service”.

See the Study in PDF and the Infographic above.

On ad-hoc-news.de - Sep. 16 2012

"The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating ..."

UK's Leading Dating Sites: British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online

[...]

On marketwatch.com - Sep. 16 2012

UK's Leading Dating Sites: British singles spend more than GBP 168 million looking for love online

The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts "LeadingDatingSites.co.uk".

[...]

In 2011, people from the UK spent more than GBP 9.6 million more than in the previous year on online dating.

[...]

dating media
All media articles on our German site www.singleboersen-vergleich.de

Our Press Releases:

Toxic Online Dating Trends in the UK 2018
An online survey by leadingdatingsites.co.uk

London ,6.3.2018 - The independent dating market observer Leadingdatingsites.co.uk examined the press of the last two decades to evaluate the development in the dating terminology. It was found that in 2016 an abundance of new terms was introduced and quickly gained popularity throughout the media. This article is seeking to introduce and define these expressions.

Defining the terms, it was also discovered that not only technology has developed, but also that the online dating site user’s behavior has adapted accordingly. Especially the dishonest grew accustomed to the possibilities that arose. For instance, in 2000 the term romance scammer was used frequently. In the years to come the terminology evolved and a striking amount of new terms, mostly with negative notions surfaced.

Plenty of fish conducted a study on the subject of dating behaviors of the “millennial” generation in 2016. This generation born between 1980 and 2000 is widely known for its adversity to commitment. Results showed that 80% of the surveyed had been affected by the phenomenon “ghosting” before, which is congruent to the findings of Leadingdatingsites.co.uk.

Learn more about the terminology in this in-depth guide:

www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/online-dating-tips-for-singles/ghosting-benching.htm

Tinder was Paralympics favourite Dating App /
217 athletes swiped their way to new romance

LONDON – In the same way Tinder was the first choice for Olympians seeking uncomplicated dates, it is also Paralympians favourite contact app. However, unlike the Olympians, the Paralympics athletes were already swiping furiously away even as the games were still in progress, LeadingDatingSites.co.uk can reveal.

32 year old Trevor plays table tennis for Australia and announced on the first day of the games "Looking for interesting women for fun dating…" He is only one of the 161 men and 56 women amongst the 3.800 Paralympics participants, trainers and support staff that the research team has identified.

Tinder was able to kick sand in the faces of all the other mainstream apps, be it Hinge, Bumble, Coffee Meets Bagle, POF, Happn or HowAboutWe: They only managed 10 each, at best.

"This is the first time a mainstream app has been able to help people with disabilities" said Henning Wiechers from LeadingDatingSites of the research. Normally they use special interest sites.

As regards the online profiles Henning Wiechers said there was no difference between the Olympian and Paralympian users: "The boys showed off their muscles and medals, whereas the ladies showed their beauty and chose their words well."

UK's Dating Industry 2015: On the Rise Again!
British online dating sector pleased about 166 million GBP turnover

LONDON 14.10.2015 – After a period of weak economic activity, the British online dating market in 2014 recovered with nearly 5% growth. For the first time, operators of online dating platforms achieved notable revenue from smartphone users. Another focus point of the current market study from LeadingDatingSites.co.uk is the data hack of the ‘cheating’ site AshleyMadison and its effects on the relational trust of the Brits.

Monetisation of “Smartphone Dating”

Flirting and searching for a romantic partner happens everywhere and all the time now, thanks to the prevalence of smartphones. However, the mobile users’ willingness to pay is significantly lower than that of PC and Notebook users. Dating site operators have therefore turned their focus to developing their mobile products technically and with a view to clever sales strategies. Through this, they have managed to generate a significant portion of income from app users. The complete turnover of the UK dating market in 2014 lay at 166.6 million GBP, an increase of 7.9 million GBP compared to the previous year.

Data hack blows the whistle on cheaters

AdultFriendFinder (sex contact) and AshleyMadison (affair dating site), two of the biggest international adult dating portals, were effected by data theft in 2015. Despite the release of millions of personal users' data, users continued their search on the Web for a no-strings affair unperturbed: the number of new sign ups in August was even higher than before the data hack. Henning Wiechers of LeadingDatingSites.co.uk states: “The hack has provided exciting headlines, but nevertheless the British infidelity continues to flourish.”

Download the complete market study here:

www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/onlinedating-market-uk-2015.pdf

Test report: How dangerous is Tinder Stalking?
How to set your dating app risk to zero

LONDON - 21.04.2015 – Dating apps like Tinder are not only a highly frequented address for the quick flirt, but they also offer a welcoming platform for stalkers and snoopers. Instructions on how to get someone’s private information are currently circulating on the Internet. The experts from Dating Sites Reviews have tested 100 Tinder profiles to see how high the stalking risk on dating apps really is, and to effectively protect one from them.

No danger despite alarming individual cases: Of the 50 men and women profiles which were examined in the test for their strength of privacy, no stalking was possible using a dating app in 60 percent of the cases. The pursuit ended at the Google image search. However, in a particularly extreme case, the testers could have surprised a Tinder user directly at their workplace.

Tinder stalking is when someone can identify the full name of a stalking victim on Facebook, or, in the worst case, directly in the private life by using Google image search just with a picture from a dating app and a first name.

Although there are quite a few examples of stalking which are known, there is not a reason to panic: “If you stick to just a few basic rules, you can set your personal Tinder app risk to 0”, says Henning Wiechers of the UK's LeadingDatingSites.

A rule for protecting oneself against Tinder stalking is: Never use the same profile picture for multiple social platforms! If someone uses the same picture for dating on Tinder, and also on social networks such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or other open profiles, they run the risk that this becomes the connecting piece of information for stalkers.

The 3 best anti-stalking tips from the complete test

https://www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/online-dating-tips-for-singles/tinder-stalking-test.htm

UK's Online Dating Market 2014: Social dating attracts new users, yet revenue declines

LONDON, 27 August 2014 – Unrest in the British online dating industry: Although the number of monthly users over the last two years has increased 13 percent to a total of 7.1 million users, revenue has decreased a total of 9,800,00 GBP in the same period. As the current market report by leadingdatingsites.co.uk shows, a migration to new social dating providers is posing an obstacle for smaller websites.

New user groups:

The number of online dating users in Great Britain has never been higher. The influx is mainly due to the new set of social dating players in the market. For the first time, providers like BADOO have captured the under 20 demographic thanks to their casual 'Meet new people' approach: "Traditionally, this demographic was rarely active on online dating websites", explains Henning Wiechers of the UK's LeadingDatingSites.

Declining industry revenue:

Despite the increase of new users, total revenue has been decreasing for the past two years. The weak monetization of users is mostly due to improved consumer protection regulations. However, this is not a reason for providers to worry: At 2.60 GBP of sales per user, the dating industry in the UK is still in leader when compared to other European countries.

Need to establish:

Although social dating websites have made considerable inroads and captured 30 percent of all users, websites focusing on online personals and adult dating are still the market leaders in terms of revenue. Wiechers: "TINDER, SCOUT & Co have to present a mature business model and prove that they can establish themselves for the long term.”

Single gals like going for a drink

Dates arranged over the Internet mostly take place in the pub

LONDON, 14. November 2013 - British singles like to be sociable, including during that first date with someone they met over the Internet, as proven by a recent survey conducted among 13,279 European dating site users. The overwhelming majority of British singles met their blind date in the UK’s favourite public place: the pub. Only 1 in 4 proved to be willing to take the risk during a blind date of arranging to meet in private.

Single women in various European countries could learn a lot from the British when it comes to blind dates. Take Dutch women, for example, with 1 in 3 irresponsible enough to arrange having a blind date in their own home. Or Italian women, who willingly get into their new suitor’s car on the first date.

Pub culture shapes dating culture

British females take a different approach – single people in the UK prefer to arrange a first date in that one place they like the most, after thier own living room, that is: "The UK’s pronounced pub culture plays a natural part in dating. Most single women prefer to meet their blind date in a relaxed atmosphere, over a pint in the pub", says Pamela Moucha of UK's LeadingDatingSites in response to the results of the survey.

Nonetheless, almost 25% of British single women take the risk of meeting their date in private, and around half of the single women surveyed are bold enough to invite their blind date into their homes. "Not to mention the dangers that such a situation might entail, every woman should be aware that it may become awkward if she doesn't like the guy and wants to get rid of him as soon as possible", says Moucha.

Sports on a blind date: a big no-no!

In order to get to know their new online acquaintance, single people in Denmark, France and Sweden are happy to arrange a date involving a sporting activity. For the British, however, playing sport during such an occasion is an absolute no-no, continues Moucha. "Meeting for the first time in a sweaty, sporty atmosphere is not fitting with the image of the gentleman and the British lady". In this respect, the single men and women of the UK are in agreement. When looking for and getting to know another person, Churchill's wisdom of "No sports!" often applies – on the first date, at least.

Statistics: How irresponsible are single women in Europe?

www.leadingdatingsites.co.uk/press/infographic-last-internet-date.jpg

The United Kingdom is Europe’s online dating hotspot

Highest concentration of singles, highest turnover – Brits dominate on all fronts

LONDON, 26. November 2012- The information portal LeadingDatingSites.co.uk has compared the European dating industries for the first time in a cross-border study. "The European Online Dating Sector 2012" has come to a flattering conclusion for the British: when it comes to seeking a partner on the Internet they are way out in front on several scores.

Every month, 32 million out of some 396 million Europeans log on to dating sites seeking a partner, i.e. a good half of all the European singles regularly surfing the Internet. And another 15 million Europeans log on to “adult dating” sites seeking erotic encounters of all kinds. A good proportion of these are logging on from the British Isles, where 6.3 million Britons visit dating sites every month and another 2.8 million are using dating sites to look for erotic encounters.

It’s not just that the UK has the highest concentration of single people in the European comparative study. “The British also hold all the cards with the most colourful dating landscape", in the opinion of Robert Bailey of LeadingDatingSites.co.uk. No other European country is as varied and diverse as the United Kingdom, particularly when you consider the vast array of themed singles dating sites, from “Cougar Dating” to “Uniform Dating”. Europe has around 5,000 dating portals and approximately 1,500 of these come from the UK.

And when it comes to turnover, the UK beats the other Europeans hands down as well. Although it has a much smaller population, the UK, generating an annual turnover of € 211 million euro, is well ahead of Germany, which comes second with € 203 million, followed by France with €122 million in third place. Bailey puts Britain’s lead in Europe down to its mentality. "The British are just so enlightened and open minded and that’s why so many people try online dating”

The compact study “The European Online Dating Market 2012” is available as a PDF

British singles spend more than £168 million looking for love online.

Nearly 30% of all relationships are formed online in 2012.

LONDON, 17. September 2012 - The Brits have crossed a milestone in the online dating sector, according to the annual study published by industry experts “LeadingDatingSites.co.uk”. In 2011, people from the UK spent more than £9.6 million more than in the previous year on online dating. The industry is also a hit in Europe: nearly a third of people who meet each other for love now do so online.

The British online dating market grew a full 6% on the previous year – in 2011, turnover stood at £168.5 million. This huge increase is due largely to aggressive advertising on the part of leading online dating sites. “Premium-priced quality platforms which have well-honed audiences and good customer service are the ones who get ahead in all sectors”, says Danielle Baker from LeadingDatingSites, summarizing the survey. “Single customers are willing to pay more for better service”.

Online dating is a booming industry around the world, and European singles have caught on, becoming the sector’s largest audience. In 2012, nearly thirty percent of all relationships in the EU are formed online, and the British are holding the fort. Every month, around 6.2 million users log on to dating sites, and a further 2.7 million take part in ‘casual dating’, looking for erotic encounters. At the same time, Britain hosts about 50 online dating sites which have now crossed the 100,000 member mark.

Less pricey, but somewhat more superficial sites for 18-30 year olds have become available to those looking for casual dates and a distraction from the Facebook environment. They are also available as Smartphone Apps and offer features such as location-based real-time search functions for spontaneous encounters.

UK dating industry hits GBP160m mark

UK providers of online dating services dominate the domestic market and leer at Europe

London, February 12, 2011 - UK singles have been jumping on online dating websites for several years. Meanwhile, most of them are prepared to pay for these services - at a progressive rate, this is also the case for ladies. This is one of the findings of the recent survey "Online dating services in UK" which is based on a poll answered by 46 leading companies of the dating industry.

In 2010, Britains have spent a total of GBP160m on online dating. This is an increase of 8.4% compared to the year before. The market segment of online matchmakers increased the most (by 12.8%) followed by online personals and dating services for amorous adventures. For 2011, the industry predicts a turnover of GBP175m.

The number of singles looking for a partner (about 6 million per month) does not vary much. Celia Enders, initiator of the survey, says:

"These days, the leading providers do not concentrate on fast growth anymore, but rather on quality as well as on customer loyalty in order to generate more money per member. The singles looking for a partner honour this increase in quality and are prepared to pay higher prices." This does also apply to the ladies who must, at 43% of the providers questioned, pay member fees as well.

How will the leading UK providers acquit themselves in Europe and the rest of the world? Celia Enders thinks that the companies will be successful and dares to make a prediction: "The European markets will be divided within the next one or two years and UK online dating providers will have a strong position on the market. In our opinion, it is likely that major US companies that missed this opportunity will put out their feelers towards the market leaders in Europe." However, no UK company has ever dared the leap on the highly competitive American market, but due to increasing profits and increasing self-confidence this is merely a matter of time.

About this survey

The survey "Online dating services in UK" is based on the most comprehensive survey ever cast about UK online dating providers. In the first quarter of 2011, a total of 46 leading online dating companies were questioned about their market data, estimation and strategies.

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» End of year review: Where did the Brits love to visit on the internet in 2018?

» The Online Dating Market in the UK 2014-2015

» The online dating market in the UK (2013/2014)

» The online dating industry report (2013/2014)