They, whoever "they" are, say there's someone for everyone and online dating has been proving that adage true.
The online dating scene can be maddening for those who find themselves serially dead-ending with promising matches, but a new batch of niche services are putting the right sets of lonely hearts into pools that match their lifestyles.
Sites like Match.com and eHarmony have served as the hubs for lonely hearts looking to cure their conditions, but their myriad filters can still prove ineffective for users sorting through the millions of profiles on the dating services.
Tinder simplified online dating, stripping it of all the refinements and giving users the tool to explore sparks based on looks alone. Tinder users sort through images of potential matches, using swipes to either move on or show interest in another user.
"When was the last time you walked into a bar and someone said, 'Excuse me, can you fill out this form and we'll match you up with people here,'" stated Sean Rad, co-founder and chief executive of Tinder, back in November.
High There, a dating site that seeks to chain pot smokers together with love, is one of the latest services to find a niche in the market for online personals. The dating is based on the swiping conventions that made Tinder popular, but High There tosses profiles at users based on similarities in their pot routines and consumption preferences and their declarations of the amount of energy they have after consuming it.
High There's CEO Todd Mitchem says he drew inspiration for his app from a date that was going well up until the point he mentioned he smoked pot.
The app was released on Feb. 5, so there isn't much data to go on, but other niche dating services are proving there's a market for daters who are done with mainstream sites:
Farmers Only. It's described as a dating site for country folks, ranchers and farmers. Farmers Only seeks to facilitate bonds between those who enjoy the rural, agrarian lifestyle.
Taste Buds. People fall in love at shows, with their inhibitions freed solely by the ingestion of good music. For those who seek a partner whose goosebumps raise at the same bpm as theirs, Taste Buds may be the place to meet.
How About We. Not everyone enjoys exchanging witty notes with would-be partners. Some people like to see their prospects in action. How About We matches people by activities in the form of informal dates.
Luxy. Because some people want more assurance that their matches are after their millions, Luxy offers a dating platform for the well-to-do.
