Happy relationships aren't 'defined' by marriage

Looking for love is not an easy business, and for some, the definition of a truly happy relationship is a marriage. As such, many online dating sites proudly reveal the percentage of their members who go on to get married, but according to Online Dating magazine this can be misleading.

The magazine has suggested that no "solo factor" can determine whether or not a web-based dating agency is successful, mainly because every relationship that begins with the help of such a site is different. Therefore, if a couple eventually marry or not is no indication of how happy or unhappy they are together, and no reflection of the success rate of the site.

Dr James Houran, spokesperson for Online Dating magazine, said: "Online dating is a great innovation. But, some online dating sites actively encourage the particular mindset that happiness is only defined by a marriage, and I believe this promotes premature marriages in an already divorce-saturated society. The one question never answered by online dating sites is 'How many divorces are associated with your site?'

"Soul mate relationships are made through hard work; they are not born. Encouraging people to rely solely on the results of unsubstantiated compatibility tests is a disservice, since it motivates people not to take responsibility for that hard work. Instead, some online dating sites make it seem very easy to find a perfect partner."