xbiz world
xbiz premiere
trends

2016 Outlook: Online Dating in the New Year

Professional dating services existed long before the advent of the Internet. But the digital era has taken the concept of professional dating services to a whole new level, making it considerably more sophisticated and diverse than it was in the past. As digital technology continues to evolve, so does online dating — and that includes adult online dating.

Major players in the adult dating sector such as AdultFriendFinder (AFF) and DatingGold continue to forge ahead technologically. And in 2016, adult online dating trends to watch out for include a heavy emphasis on mobile/wireless technology, an abundance of niche dating, and ongoing promotions in growth markets.

In 2016, adult online dating will continue to differentiate itself from mainstream online dating by offering niches that mainstream sites do not offer.

The mobile/wireless explosion has been having a profound effect all over the adult entertainment industry, from live webcam websites to membership paysites to sex toys and pleasure products. And online adult dating is no exception. As important as mobile optimization was for online dating companies in 2015, it will no doubt be even more important in 2016.

For online dating companies, traffic from mobile devices has increased substantially — and as it continues to increase in 2016, companies will keep striving to make their dating websites as mobile-friendly as possible. Some will develop and aggressively promote their own apps.

The popularity of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices has been opening new doors for adult companies: developing countries that haven’t had a strong desktop or laptop penetration are now growth markets for mobile devices. And as smartphones give more and more people easier or greater Internet access, adult dating sites will look to keep expanding in those growth markets in 2016.

Geo targeting will be vital for the online dating sector in the new year. Expanding in new markets will mean catering to the technological and linguistic needs of new customers in those markets. For South America — an important part of the world for mobile outreach — that will mean reaching mobile users who speak Spanish or Portuguese as their native language.

The Internet has given a huge boost to niche-oriented dating, making it much easier to zero in on specific interests. A variety of dating niches thrived online in 2015, from BDSM dating to gay dating to cougar/MILF dating to interracial dating. And niche dating will continue to be an important part of online dating in 2016.

With its broad portfolio of sites, AFF has been a huge player in adult niche dating. And AFF enters the new year with established sites that range from the BDSM-oriented Alt.com (which bills itself as a community for “dominatrixes, masters, mistresses and slaves”) to the gay-oriented GayFriendFinder.com. The popular AdultFriendFinder.com continues to be a major destination for daters who are seeking casual encounters or hookups.

2016 marks the 20th anniversary of AFF, founded by CEO Andrew Conru in 1996. And 2016 marks another important anniversary for online adult dating: the 14th anniversary of DatingGold. Founded by CEO Allan Henning in 2002, DatingGold has long been on the cutting edge of online dating technology. In 2015, mobile was a high priority for the company — which continued to add features to its mobile dating platforms. And DatingGold’s mobile program will surely keep moving ahead in the New Year.

In 2016, adult online dating will continue to differentiate itself from mainstream online dating by offering niches that mainstream sites do not offer. DatingGold, for example, has fared well in the infidelity niche and enters 2016 with a portfolio of infidelity-oriented sites that includes LonelyAffair.com (launched in 2013), CheatingHousewife.com and Untrue.com. And DatingGold has been making its mark in the cougar/MILF niche with CougarsPlay.com, which debuted in 2012.

Like other sectors of the adult industry, adult online dating has benefited from aggressive affiliate marketing. Known for having one of the strongest affiliate programs in the adult dating sector, DatingGold tackles 2016 with Fabian Jansen continuing to serve as the company’s affiliate manager.

2016 promises to be an exciting year for the online adult dating sector.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

Eight Steps to Fast-Track AI Site Approval for Processing

Artificial intelligence is a hot topic these days. AI technology is speeding up the way we do business across all industries and offers numerous benefits, from automating processes to increasing efficiency and scalability.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

How to Secure High-Risk Transactions With Network Tokenization

Ensuring the security of data as it moves through digital channels is the foundation of safe transactions, and crucial for your success. If your business can’t secure transactions, you’re exposed to myriad processing traumas.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Reba Rocket

As chief operating officer and chief marketing officer of Takedown Piracy, long at the forefront of intellectual property protection in adult entertainment, Rocket is dedicated to safeguarding the livelihoods of content creators and producers while fostering a more ethical and sustainable industry.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Protecting Content Ownership Rights When Using AI

In today’s digital age, content producers have more tools at their disposal than ever before. Among these tools, artificial intelligence (AI) content generation has emerged as a game changer, enabling creators to produce high-quality content quickly and efficiently.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Payment Orchestration Can Help Your Business

An emerging payment solution is making waves in the merchant world: the payment orchestration platform (POP). It’s quickly gaining traction as a powerful tool for managing online payments — but questions abound.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Fine-Tuning Refund and Cancellation Policies

For adult websites, managing refunds and cancellations isn’t just about customer service. It’s a crucial factor in maintaining compliance with the regulations of payment processors and payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Laurel Bencomo

Born in Cambridge, England but raised in Spain, Laurel Bencomo initially chose to study business at the University of Barcelona simply because it felt familiar — both of her parents are entrepreneurs. She went on to earn a master’s degree in sales and marketing management at the EADA Business School, while working in events for a group of restaurants in Barcelona.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Gregory Dorcel on Building Upon His Brand's Signature Legacy

“Whether reflected in the storyline or the cast or even the locations, the entertainment we deliver is based on fantasy,” he elaborates. “Our business is not, and never has been, reality. People who are buying our content aren’t expecting reality, or direct contact with stars like you can have with OnlyFans,” he says.

Jeff Dana ·
opinion

How to Turn Card Brand Compliance Into Effective Marketing

In the adult sector, compliance is often treated as a gauntlet of mandatory checkboxes. While it’s true that those boxes need to be ticked and regulations must be followed, sites that view compliance strictly as a chore risk missing out on a bigger opportunity.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

A Look at the Latest AI Tools for Online Safety

One of the defining challenges for adult businesses is helping to combat the proliferation of illegal or nonconsensual content, as well as preventing minors from accessing inappropriate or harmful material — all the more so because companies or sites unable or unwilling to do so may expose themselves to significant penalties and put their users at risk.

Gavin Worrall ·
Show More