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Comment by hiphopyo | Hacker News Reader

Are all these new age dating sites / apps really that much better than Craigslist? I understand people want to make money, but I've had it up to here hearing about a new "next big thing in dating" every damn day!

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Are all these new age dating sites / apps really that much better than Craigslist?

Um, sort of? I think the only differences between any two dating sites are vetting and marketing-image. Craigslist has very little of either, and something like Eharmony has a lot of both. Both of them are niches within the larger dating-industry morass.

Good point. But isn't Craigslist's lack of vetting a good thing (1)? They're already giving out plenty of safety advice (2).

1. http://chrishateswriting.com/post/76431353368/the-anonymity-...

2. http://craigslist.org/about/safety

I don't know what it's like in your area but the Craigslist personals here are just abysmal, full of very low quality mates. I think the anonymity and lack of entry barriers scares anyone worthwhile away, leaving only the desperate and those willing to endure the safety risks.

But isn't Craigslist's lack of vetting a good thing (1)?

It depends on who's trying to use it. Some people simply prefer a more curated experience.

My perspective is that the value they bring is their brand to make the whole process seem more safe. It's the same essential value proposition that AirBnB makes: "we'll be your guide through this otherwise sketchy territory"

Interesting take!

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