How e-Harmony Works  
 

Are you unsuccessful with your own matchmaking skills? Then our #3 pick and “2004 TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award Winner” eHarmony is a good choice for you. This site is all about communication and compatibility.

eHarmony is unique among dating sites because there are no search tools. Instead, eHarmony matches potential candidates based on the results of their extensive 500 question profile. This detailed profile eliminates the 99.4% of matches that just aren't right for you.

  
Search Capabilities:    
eHarmony doesn’t ask you to search for a needle in a haystack as some other dating websites do. Instead, they hand you a packet of needles, already threaded. Their motto – Fall in love for the right reasons.

The structured matching system at eHarmony delivers fewer profiles, but amazingly, these people fit. Their honed matching system saves you time and headaches by sorting through the potential matches for you.

In many ways, it is unfair to compare eHarmony to Match.com and True. Doing so is like comparing apples to oranges to grapes. Each of the top three dating websites has a completely different philosophy designed to reach the same goal—developing relationships. The dating website you select will depend largely on which route you feel most comfortable taking to get there. eHarmony landed in third place only because we placed value on the flexibility of the search engine, but eHarmony believes that the search engine isn’t necessary to find the right companion.

This website is hinged on an extensive, scientific profile hand-in-hand with the right kind of communication. The premise at eHarmony is that detailed profiles and structured communication can deliver far more than a search engine, and this philosophy shows on every part of their website. But again, some people may find the lack of a search tool too limiting or find the structure to firm; these daters may be more comfortable on Match.com or True.		  
Profile Setup:    
eHarmony has the most comprehensive personality profile of all the dating sites reviewed – a whopping 500 questions, and not easy ones to answer at that. Although this profile took over two hours to complete, it wasn’t unpleasant.  
Compatibility Analysis:    
The profile at eHarmony is more than a tool to match two people; eHarmony goes to great lengths to teach you more about who you are and explaining the type of person that would be the best fit for you.

The eHarmony matching system was designed by founder Dr. Neil Warren, an authority on dating and relationship issues with over 30 years of marriage counseling experience. Dr. Warren has counseled thousands of couples and has completed extensive studies into the reasons why relationships fail—and the reasons why relationships succeed. The key? Knowing who you are and how others see you. eHarmony is Dr. Warren’s magnum opus, or cumulative work; this website contains Dr. Warren’s knowledge on relationships in a format that is helpful online and off. Using this site is like having a relationship counselor at your side during the entire dating experience, but without the cost.

One area of the profile where eHarmony shines brightest —every single profile eHarmony selected was current and unique. Other dating websites occasionally sent outdated or duplicate profiles. In addition, eHarmony makes a point of finding matches that live nearby.		  
Membership Features:    
eHarmony’s membership features are difficult to compare to other sites because their website is entirely different. Instead of a search feature, eHarmony emails you a handful of compatible profiles each day. Using eHarmony’s four structured emails, you can begin communicating with these matches.
The emails contain checkpoint questions you should ask at the beginning of any relationship. These include pet peeves, goals, social habits, even your ideas about traditional gender roles. Only after the requisite four emails have been completed can you move on to “open communication” where you can discuss whatever you want.

During the initial email process, eHarmony will allow you to send a picture. You may decide to do this immediately, or wait. It’s entirely up to you.

eHarmony also provides a helpful way to track potential matches with its My Matches. This is similar to True’s Little Black Book and Match’s Favorites.		  
Site Navigation:    
eHarmony is easy to navigate. After signing on, all features are available in tabs at the top of your screen. This website holds your hand and walks you through the entire meeting process, providing solid advice and a helpful hand every step of the way.  
Help and Support:    
eHarmony provides a great FAQs page and email support to help with user problems or questions. Because the site is so simple to navigate, the need for email customer support is generally not necessary, but just for drill we emailed them to log their response time. They did not fail – the quick response was satisfying.  
Summary:  
eHarmony has a refreshingly different, highly structured approach to online dating. You will be able to progress as fast or as slow as you like, but you must proceed according to the eHarmony method to meet people. An added bonus – because the process is so exacting you’ll find most phonies won’t take the time to use this service.

If you are looking for complete control over every element in your online dating experience, then this site is probably too structured for your taste. But, if other dating sites have not delivered, then eHarmony is definitely worth your time.

 		  


A complete list of features and side-by-side comparisons of Online Dating software is available on the HomePage .
 		  
 ©2004 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.