Online dating services enable individuals to meet via the web in order to strike up real life romantic relationships. Dating services typically require that members create personal profiles. They are then allowed to search for potential partners by age, gender, location and shared interests.

While many online dating services are geared towards a broad-based, general public, niche services aimed towards users who wish to date only those singles who share their political, ethnic or religious background exist as well.

Online dating is set to move to another level in a few months when Omnidate release their new 'photo-realistic avatars', these will be three dimensional characters that look just like your favorite photograph.Computerworld : Online dating: Avatars tackle the first date for you (February 13, 2009) You can catch up with 3-D virtual dating at

Most online dating service require users to create a profile that will be perused by prospective partners. In creating a profile, consider the following tips:

1. Be honest.
2. Include a clear, recent photo.
3. Details and specifics are good.
4. Add some personality.
5. Keep a confident, casual tone.
6. Stay safe. Don't reveal personal information.
7. Use correct spelling and grammar.

For more information on online dating, see Mahalo's How to Date Online.