Thursday 2nd January 2014 could be the busiest day ever for the UK’s online dating industry, according to match.com. One million people[i] in Britain are expected to log-on to personals websites via their mobiles, tablets and PCs in search of a date – enough people to fill over 7,000[ii] London tube carriages during rush hour and the O2 Arena 50 times[iii].
Typically the first day back after the Christmas break for most office workers, 2nd January usually leads to a burst of online dating activity. Last year, that day saw the number of people signing up to match.com increase by 94 per cent above 2013’s daily average and was 51 per cent higher than 2nd January2012[iv]. With internet usage increasing[v], more people accessing services through their mobiles and tablets[vi] and the singles population of the UK higher than ever[vii] – 2nd January 2014 is set to be the busiest day for online dating ever.
Spurred on by the optimism that the New Year brings, the flurry of date-hunting is likely to peak just before Silent Witness (BBC1 at 9pm) and the new series of Benidorm (ITV at 9pm), concluding what is a traditionally busy week for online dating, from Christmas Day onwards. During 2013 match.com saw a change in the way people choose to access their dating services with 51%[viii] of people now preferring to use the site through their mobiles and tablets. This means that daters can meet new people online wherever they are – whether it’s waiting for a bus or sitting on the sofa enjoying their favourite TV show.
According to research from match.com’s annual LoveGeist report[ix], more than half (51 per cent) of those looking for a relationship have considered making it their New Year’s resolution to embark on the dating journey. Thankfully, online daters have reason to be optimistic as internet dating is now the third most popular way to meet a partner in Britain[x], meaning that there has never been a better time to meet potential dates.
Kate Taylor, resident relationship expert at match.com, offers her explanation as to why this will be the busiest day for online dating ever: “New Year is a fantastic time for us to turn over a new leaf and try something new – why should dating be any different? match.com offers you the best possible chance to meet someone just like you: someone who is looking to get 2014 off to a great start and have a fun time meeting new people. The good news is it’s becoming even easier to access match.com’s services wherever you are through your mobile devices, so get involved and enjoy the dating journey.”
Join match.com to meet lots of potential New Year dates today.
ENDS
About LoveGeist
Since it was launched in 2009, match.com’s definitive annual LoveGeist study has tracked changing attitudes towards love and relationships in the UK and Ireland, taking into account the views and attitudes of over 200,000 people. The report has built up a unique picture of what people really care about when it comes to love and relationships, providing an insight into current and emerging trends.
Research undertaken by YouGov Plc; interpretation by Brands2Life.
Total sample size was 2,064 adults, of which 122 were single and actively seeking a relationship / dating. Fieldwork was undertaken between 4th – 11th September 2013. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
[i] 1 million internet users connected to the Personals sub-category (category: Lifestyle) on January 2nd 2013. Source: comScore MMX, UK, January 2013, 6+
[ii] Based on District Line tube capacity for a six carriage train (827 people). Source TFL
[iii] Based on a capacity for 20,000
[iv] match.com internal data 2013
[v] According to the ONS, daily internet usage has increased by 2.5million in 2013 compared to 2012
[vi] match.com internal data 2013
[vii] According to TGI data the number of singles has increased from 35% of the UK population in 2012 to 38% in 2013
[viii] match.com internal data 2013
[ix] match.com’s LoveGeist report 2013 – research undertaken by YouGov, interpreted by Brands2Life
[x] Isurus, August 2011