Dating site charged for fake profiles and flirting

[Bill]

Too bad it's only in austrailia.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/st...014108,00.html

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said it had started Federal Court proceedings against Jetplace Pty Ltd, the operator of the website www.redhotpie.com.au.
The consumer watchdog alleged Jetplace engaged in misleading conduct when it created and published fictional dating profiles on its website, which targets single adults.
Jetplace allegedly used the fake profiles to send "flirt" and other messages to registered users.
The company engaged in misleading conduct by giving representations that each profile on the website was created by registered members, the watchdog said.
It said the company had misled people when it said every profile on the website and every message received from a profile provided an opportunity for members to socialise with and potentially meet the member that sent the message, when that was not the case.

[cd34]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10201287/

LOS ANGELES - After looking for love on the Internet and failing to find it, frustrated lonely hearts are heading to court, accusing online dating sites of engaging in deceptive practices.

Now, the interesting part: updated 8:34 a.m. ET, Fri., Nov . 25, 2005

[Fonz]

So all those gorgeous busty blondes aren't looking for a real date?

[rooty]

now the question remains... how can you profit from a totally FREE dating site!

1st person with the answer makes the money.

[cd34]

Originally Posted by rooty

now the question remains... how can you profit from a totally FREE dating site!

1st person with the answer makes the money.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives...ne_billion.php

He already does.

[Simon]

I'm just starting to promote cam and dating sites using the tube site model, and the question I have about the fake profiles is this:

If some programs have sites which use fake profiles, and we promote those sites...aren't we intentionally aiding them in, and profiting from, their deception of the surfers?

Or do you look at this as no different from sending surfers to all the paysite tours which tell the surfer that they're the largest, the best, the most hardcore, most extreme, have girls with the biggest tits or deepest throats... all of which we know can't be true either.

With the way the online marketplaces are evolving, it's not always easy to pick the path that will lead to being profitable while also sleeping well at night. So I'm wondering what others think about these things.

I know a lot of Link Lists and Directory sites have text which is designed to reassure the surfers that this is a good site where they can safely explore their porn interests without things like exit consoles or browser hijacking. But is that really the line the surfer needs drawn? Isn't there a lot more to creating a good, safe Link Lists or Directory site?

And might there be an opportunity in really creating a safe site, one that a surfer would actually bookmark and tell others about because the site does more than just check for exit consoles and remove bad links when they show up later?

I think the review sites fill that need already in many ways, but they don't list much besides paysites. I wonder...is there a hole in the market for sites which review the free sites they list? Of course that would mean a change in what kind of free sites are submitted and listed too. I mean, what kind of review can you really write for the current 4-page free site?

I know the questions I've asked seem a bit of a mashup, but they're all interconnected to me. So I'd welcome any feedback from and discussion with those willing to engage.

[Ramster]

Plentyoffish is a free dating site that the owner makes huge money on as cd34 pointed out. It's all about the traffic.

[Greenguy]

You mean a site with a name like Red Hot Pie was not legit?!?!?!?!?!

[HowlingWulf]

You mean the profile of Jessica Alba in my town looking for a date isn't real?

[Useless]

Originally Posted by Simon

Of course that would mean a change in what kind of free sites are submitted and listed too.

I've been willing to accept almost anything of value to the surfer, yet submitters stick to submitting the standard free sites, galleries, etc. One of the reasons they don't submit larger free sites or hubs, I assume, is because they feel their bigger, better, or different sites deserve a more prominent link back than what I'm going to give them - and they're probably right. No matter what they submit, it's going to be buried amongst the old fashioned free sites, galleries, and blog posts.

Originally Posted by Simon

I mean, what kind of review can you really write for the current 4-page free site?

As anyone who still submits free sites to me knows (all three of you), it's not easy to come up with much more than "Girl with big tits sucking cock." For me, the biggest issue hasn't been the creative aspect, but the lack of profitability. There's no direct income to be earned by spending one's time describing free sites. Plus, it's really fucking boring.

Even with my list running on automatic, I'm wondering how long I can justify its existence. Porn sales are nearly nonexistent for me, and the dating sites I'm experimenting with are producing inconsistent results. I haven't stumbled upon any golden nuggets.

[NY Jester]

And here I thought if I signed up for AFF I could date Shay Laren. I bet my dick wont get any bigger with the pills or pumps I ordered either.

[nekrom]

The ACCC is a toothless tiger. A small fine, slap on the wrist and that's about all that will happen.

-N

[bionicweenie]

Sad - going to put a black cloud over the whole online dating market.

[cd34]

Originally Posted by HowlingWulf

You mean the profile of Jessica Alba in my town looking for a date isn't real?

of course not. She's in my town.

[Simon]

She travels a lot I guess... she's down here too (well, Miami anyway, there's never anyone listed down in the Keys).

[LeRoy]

What are you guys talkin about? Jessica Alba is in my town.

She sent me an email this morning to meet up. Sorry guys I paid the 1.95. I'm waiting for her to reply. I'll keep you guys posted.

[DatingGold CT]

I know that a lot of dating sites have trouble with other sites/individuals signing up to spam the other members. It just like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter I guess...the more popular the site becomes the more it opens itself up to spammers.

I think any site "Free" or Paid can profit from display ads if their traffic is of a high enough quality. Plus they can cross-sell you on a paid site if they wish via an affiliate program.

[ed_banger]

As someone who has used multiple dating sites in the past, regular dating sites are almost just as good for hooking up as the craislist casual encounters section.

[MeatPounder]

Actually Simon she was at Fantasy Fest and I have pics to prove it

[Andy Choopa]

Originally Posted by Fonz

So all those gorgeous busty blondes aren't looking for a real date?

Lol... disappointing to me too.