Recession Sparks Dating Boom

(NEWSER) - New York may be expensive and unemployed, but high marks for “coolness” and online dating participation have it atop this year’s Forbes list of best cities for singles. As the economy stifles ambition, the dating number has become more significant. “When things are tough, core needs are most important,” a sociologist says. “And love— someone to share your life with—is a core need.” The rest of the top 5: More»

Conservatives report having less sex, but bigger percentage of fireworks, than liberals

(NEWSER) - Here's a tidbit stunning enough to interruptus your coitus: Republicans—no, make that conservative Republicans—report the highest rate of orgasms, according to a new sex poll. More than half of those who identified themselves as conservative Republicans said they reached orgasm almost every time they had sex, compared with just 40% of liberal Democrats, according to a new 6,000-subject "Singles in America" survey by Binghamton University in conjunction with Match.com. The downside? They report having less sex, reports the Daily Beast , which got an early sneak-peek at the poll. More»

'Cathy' will post stuff to your wall to impress your friends

(NEWSER) - There's an easier and cheaper way to make an ex jealous than going outside and finding a real, human girlfriend. For a measly five bucks, you can hire someone to act as your Facebook girlfriend, notes the Washington Post blog . Cathy01, posting on fiverr.com —a site that allows people to offer services for $5—says she'll be your Facebook belle for 10 days and even write up to three faux-affectionate messages on your wall. More»

Match.com pays $50M for its free-service rival

(NEWSER) - Match.com has bought rival OkCupid for $50 million, consolidating its hold on the online dating market, Mashable reports. The acquisition provides Match.com—a high-end service that charges its 5.8 million users—with access to lots of new customers. OkCupid is a mostly free site with 3.5 million users. No word yet on whether the pay models will change, notes Time . More»

Internet security companies seek to protect online dating

(NEWSER) - With 20 million Americans using online dating sites, how can you be sure that your prospective date isn't married? Or, say, a mass murderer? New online security services—such as MyMatchChecker.com , Date Check , and the Instant National Criminal Search —are offering background checks on people using the nearly 1,500 dating websites in the United States, reports the New York Times . More»