| URL | www.jdate.com |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | Online dating service |
| Available language(s) | English, Hebrew, French |
| Users | 450,000 |
| Owner | Spark Networks |
| Alexa rank | 7,078 (as of December 2011)[1] |
| Current status | Online |
JDate is an online dating service aimed at Jewish singles. The service is one of a number of demographically focused, for-profit online match-making websites operated by Spark Networks plc.
JDate offers two tiers of service: free and premium. "Free" users are encouraged to post a picture and create their own profile, and are permitted to view other members and send a fixed menu of messages known as “flirts.” The presence of free users makes it appear as if the site has a larger active membership. However, free users are not able to view messages sent to them or send normal messages of their own. Free users are also not permitted by the site's "editors" to warn other users of their free user status, or tip them off to the fact that they cannot send or receive messages. Any attempt to do so will be censored from the free users profile.
The premium service includes a fuller range of communications options, including email, chat, and the service's internal messaging system. However, a premium paying member must make an additional payment to send readable messages to "free" users. If a premium member declines to make an additional payment to do so, then they are repeatedly warned that free members will not be able to read their emails, and are asked to make an additional payment every time they send out a new message. Both premium and free members are also required to view the site's extensive advertising banners, which slow down the service and "pop up" to take up a large part of the screen whenever a user inadvertently rolls the mouse over it.
A site redesign in late 2005 gave members the ability to note mutual interest with a click to each other's profile, triggering an alert. This feature was copied wholesale from the more popular, free dating site, "okcupid." Another update provided support for webcams and the ability to keep a list of prospects. Profile items include some fields of particular interest to Jews: adherence to dietary law, frequency of attendance at synagogue, and form of Judaism (if any) practiced. When members are not Jewish, they are asked to indicate whether or not they would consider conversion to Judaism. The site's in-person activities have included the usual cruises and ski trips – but also organized trips to Israel.
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JDate claims to have more than 450,000 active members worldwide, about half in the United States. It is not clear how many of these "members" area actually able to use the service, as opposed to simply serving as window dressing to attract other users. Most members are in major metropolitan areas, with women slightly outnumbering men: 54%-46%. Searches can be conducted for members of the same or opposite sex. The site won a 2006 Webby award for social networking.[2]
While JDate is oriented toward Jews, it has attracted others seeking Jewish mates. The reasons cited often have to do with perceived cultural traits, whether stereotypical or true: "nice" or wealthy Jewish men who treat women well; take-charge, independent Jewish women who still hold onto tradition. While many JDate members respond in kind, others view the phenomenon as an intrusion that defeats the purpose of the site.[3]