"Making a Connection Though an Online Dating Site Shannon Smith, a representative from online dating site, Plenty of Fish (POF), says the site’s matching system is based on a combination of the information members enter into their profile and their user behavior. “If they have specified that they are looking for blondes, but search for brunettes, they will get matched with brunettes,” Smith says. “If a user will not date a smoker, they will not see smokers in their matches. If they are looking for a long-term relationship, they will be matched with users who are looking for the same thing.” Smith says the benefits of using an online dating site are more apparent than ever. “POF has over 38 million users worldwide, so our members have the opportunity to communicate with an extremely diverse group of people who they would most likely never meet otherwise,” Smith says. Smith says the success rate of POF can be difficult to measure statistically, but she says the company has received millions of success stories from couples who want to thank them for helping them find their soul mate. An online dating site provides many benefits to singles, Smith says, including acting as an alternative to the bar scene, meeting new people when it’s convenient, learning a lot about another person quickly by reading their profile, and it’s one place where members know that everyone is single. Online dating sites can also be helpful to people who are shy about approaching others. POF also has a mobile app where users can update their profiles, search for potential mates, read and reply to messages, and a new “mobile users” feature allows them to see singles near them who are also using the app. “People are always on the move and our mobile app fully supports our users with on-the-go lifestyles,” Smith says. “Currently, upwards of 60% of our users under the age of 40 in the United States access the site via mobile device, so it’s important that wherever they are, they will be able to connect with local singles who are in the area."