The lines are blurring between online dating and social networking with the rise of social dating. In fact, during the most recent Internet Dating Conference in Beverly Hills, Zoosk co-founder Alex Mehr predicted that online dating within social platforms would soon be more successful than traditional, standalone dating sites.

"Everything is going to dissolve into the new social operating system such as Facebook," said Mehr in an interview for Online Personals Watch. The blending and mixing of online dating with social networking has created quite a successful formula for the founders of Zoosk, who went from zero users to 30 million users in less than two years.

Online dating + Social networking = Social dating

 

But what's the difference between online dating and social dating exactly? According to Mehr, traditional online dating is like walking into a bar alone whereas social dating is like showing up to a bar with your friends and just having fun.

"The circle of friends that are accessible to you through Facebook, and other social networks, enriches the dating experience. It makes it more fun and interactive," said Mehr in the interview. 

Social dating is essentially traditional dating with a modern twist. Have you ever gone to a party or to a bar with your friends hoping to find other potential singles? Well, my friend, you have engaged in a subtle form of social dating.

The concept of social dating is nothing new and merely transcends traditional means of connecting with others as a result of the growing popularity of social networks which now permeate our romantic, platonic and professional relationships with people. Traditionally, people met by chance, at school or work, at parties and events or through family and friends. Today, people are growing more and more accustomed to meeting people online regardless of their social expectations.

The only flaw with meeting people online, however, is the lack of social filters that provide wary users with a sense of security and act as a safety net against online predators. Hence, we’re seeing a new trend in the iDating industry geared more towards social dating.

Though online dating has the capacity to introduce you to people you would otherwise never cross paths with, social dating has the capacity to filter down your dating pool to provide you with more quality options and thus, offer you far more value than a traditional dating site.

If the concept of online dating wigs you out, then you may want to consider doing a little social dating instead, or as a warm-up. Also, try to think of it more as referral-based dating. We give each other referrals all the time for good doctors, good auto repair shops or low-cost insurance, so why shouldn't we give each other referrals for a good date?

When it comes down to it, social dating is a term to used describe a more casual way to explore your options for new relationships of any kind. It doesn't really matter what you're looking for exactly because in the end, social dating is really all about finding yourself in the process of finding your life-long friends and life-long mate. We make endless discoveries about ourselves by meeting new people, interacting with them and discovering their reactions to us. If we can understand ourselves, first and foremost, then we can better understand other people and, ultimately, build stronger relationships.

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