Metrodate was established early in the age of online dating platforms and helped set the tone for today’s robust industry. About 20 years ago, Metrodate began implementing several innovative features that daters now find necessary not only for dating services, but for most apps in general.
Those features, developed in 1998, include localized search, through which users can view the profiles of members who live near them. Before Metrodate, most dating websites did not allow users to search by location; in fact, many dating and matchmaking companies used catalogs as LetmeDate.com their preferred method of helping users find compatible singles.
Another feature made popular by Metrodate was the advanced search, which allows users to choose the desired age range, the type of relationship they are looking for, and their location. Along the same lines, Metrodate allows users to flag if they are not interested in a potential match.
“Metrodate was the first site to offer many of the features we take for granted on modern dating sites,” said Metrodate founder Brad Pliner.
Metrodate.com is easy to navigate, helping users find local singles quickly.
While Metrodate was one of the first platforms to implement these features, it hasn’t been marketed as aggressively as other dating sites. Instead, it has grown organically over the last two decades as Brad has continued his pursuit of other business passions.
Shortly after creating the website, Brad set his sights on developing platforms outside of the dating world. Today, Brad, along with his wife, Debra, focuses most of LetmeDate his attention on developing and maintaining the TherapyNotes mental health support platform.
A PIONEERING SITE WITH OVER 1 MILLION MEMBERS WORLDWIDE
Although Metrodate does not have a maintenance team comparable to other dating platforms, it maintains a popularity among users that other dating websites would envy. The platform has a presence in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and India, to name a few of the 200 countries that Metrodate reaches.
“Metrodate has around 1.1 million members worldwide and is available in 13 different languages,” said Brad.
The platform skyrocketed in popularity when it switched from its paid subscription model to a free, ad-based platform. Although the website doesn’t have all the conveniences of newer dating platforms, it does have the features that users appreciate. These include video and voice chat to help users get to know each other. Chat rooms and forums are also popular features.
For security, Metrodate places watermarks on users’ profile photos to prevent scammers from using them. Users appreciate that fake profiles are removed from the site after they are reported to moderators.
Those features and security measures have helped many MetroDate users find the long-term romance they were looking for on the platform. Although Brad said he doesn’t keep statistics on users who have found long-term relationships, the site has collected user testimonials from all over the world.
A member from Northern Ireland shared the story of a successful marriage: “I met my soul mate through Metrodate.com and I love him so much. We look forward to spending the rest of our lives together.”
Another user from Pennsylvania reports, “I met the love of my life on your site in July 2006. We’ve been together every weekend since and got engaged this past Valentine’s Day.”
RESTAURANT AND EVENT GUIDES FOR SINGLES IN MANY DIFFERENT CITIES
One feature that has always made MetroDate stand out is its city-specific content. Based on the user’s location, the site searches for local matches, events relevant to singles, and restaurants in the area. For example, if you enter Metrodate from Orlando, you will only see singles who live in your region, unless you manually perform a zip code search outside of your area.
If users live in small towns or cities without an active Metrodate presence, they may need to look outside their area to find potential partners. To achieve this, they simply need to change their zip code in the search bar.
Each location’s Singles Events page allows local businesses to list events that might be appropriate for a date. These events can include ideas for smart date nights, such as pub crawls, concerts, or nightlife.
Metrodate founder Brad Pliner is looking at other business opportunities but still keeps the platform going.
The Restaurants feature allows users to search local restaurants. Where they want to find a match on a first or second date. Traveling single is another way for users to get out of their comfort zone. When meeting other people.
Relationship – Metrodate
If users want to get in touch with other members in their area, they have several tools to initiate correspondence. If you are interested in a user of the site, you can send that person an email or a “virtual flirt”. You can also contact users in your city through a local message board, which is a particularly popular way of letting other users know that you’re new to the area.
Metrodate users in a variety of dating situations turn to the platform. From casual dates to those seeking marriage, they turn to the platform to improve their chances of finding a compatible hookup. So if you’re not interested in pursuing a particular type of relationship, be more specific in your profile.
The more information you add to your profile. The more likely you are to find a suitable match and the more prominently you. Will appear in other users’ searches. For example, if you have a voicemail as part of your profile. It will appear higher in search results, leading to more interest in potential dates.
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METRODATE ANTICIPATES BIG CHANGES IN THE FUTURE
Over the past 20 years, MetroDate has grown and maintained a huge fan base. Brad said that the site may see some significant updates in 2018. And acknowledges that the platform has had. And will continue to have, an impact on the lives of its users.
“It’s great to hear when people have found someone special on Metrodate,” he said. “My cousin met his wife on Metrodate, so his children are the best reminder to me. That the platform has made a difference.”
Although Brad is involved in other ventures. He still wants to make MetroDate a competitive platform in the world of online dating. He has plans to develop it further, position it for the future and make sure its organic growth is nurtured.
