Press Release

client: Engage.com

Honesty May Be The Best Policy When Dating Online

Studies Show Not All Singles Practice "Full Disclosure"

SAN FRANCISCO--February 12, 2007--New data from singles across the country suggests that those looking for love online should be more forthcoming about personal circumstances and habits.  A look at more than 1.4 million singles on Ooodle.com, the leading search engine for local classifieds, shows that a majority of those between 30 and 40 years old do not initially reveal significant information, such as whether they smoke, or if they have children, perhaps for fear of appearing undesirable to other singles.  Yet, an in-depth survey of more than 600 single adults by Engage.com suggests that the majority of singles favor honesty and openness in pursuing relationships on the Web.  Engage.com is the Internet’s first online relationship site where singles connect naturally by inviting friends and family to Play Matchmaker by introducing them online.

According to Oodle.com data, more than 60 percent of singles do not reveal whether they have or desire to have children, and over 55 percent of all users do not specify whether they smoke, two areas that many singles consider when searching for Mr. or Mrs. Right.  If their reluctance is due to fear of putting off prospective dates, however, they could be mistaken.  Eighty-eight percent of Engage.com survey respondents say they are open to the idea of having children, and 63 percent are comfortable with smokers or smoke themselves.

In any event, singles are put off by deception when dating online.  Seventy-six percent of respondents to the Engage.com survey believe it’s not all right to misrepresent one’s self or lie when dating online.  Whether its “little white lies” about height or weight, or gross misrepresentation of one’s marital status, the survey suggests that singles take honesty seriously when selecting whom to date online. 

“Disclosing personal preferences, specifically those that are often regarded as “red flags,” can be a difficult choice, but a majority of online daters seem to feel that it pays to tell the truth,” said Joelle Kaufman, Vice President of The Experience at Engage.com.  “Online dating has seen a tremendous swing toward honestly.  The results of singles truthfully representing themselves online is de-stigmatizing several personal preferences shared by millions of singles across the country and is helping singles find lasting love in a more forthright fashion.”

Engage.com Tips For Finding Love This Valentine’s Day

  • Enlist your friends and family members to play matchmaker:  Tell your loved ones that you’re looking to find love and recruit individuals who are closest to you for help - - they are more apt to help make a quality introduction to a prospective love interest.
  • See and be seen in comfortable settings: Singles should take part in events and get-togethers that allow for introductions and meetings in a casual, low-pressure environment (e.g., New Year’s dinner party).
  • Date as you’d like to be dated: Be truthful about yourself and expect the same of the ones you date. Practice good manners and behave as you’d like to be treated. When considering someone’s sincerity, let your instincts guide you, and follow your hunches and gut feelings.

About Engage.com

Founded by Suneet Wadhwa (co-founder of Snapfish.com) and entrepreneur Karen Wallace, and co-developed and endorsed by noted relationship expert Dr. Robert Epstein, former Editor in Chief of Psychology Today, Engage.com (http://www.engage.com) is the world’s first online relationship community where people connect naturally through their friends to find love.  There’s no scientific testing required to meet someone. Love evolves on Engage in collaboration with your friends, the people who know and love you the best.  Engage, a San Francisco Bay Area company is backed by Advanced Technology Ventures, Revolution Ventures and The Founders Fund (partners Peter Thiel and Ken Howery, co-founders of PayPal).

About Oodle, Inc

Oodle is the leading search engine for local classifieds. Oodle helps consumers find great deals in every major classifieds category: cars, real estate, apartments, jobs, merchandise, pets, and tickets. Launched in April 2005, Oodle (http://www.oodle.com) provides the largest and freshest index of local, national, and international classifieds with more than 17 million active listings from more than 60,000 sources in the US and the UK.

Oodle sends classifieds publishers and their advertisers millions of qualified leads every month. The company also powers the Oodle Network, a collection of websites that incorporate Oodles market leading search capabilities. To be included in the Oodle index or to learn more about the Oodle Partner Network and the Oodle API, please contact .

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