eHarmony.com

eHarmony.com

eHarmony.com There are not many people who have not seen the eHarmony commercials where they have the happy perfectly matched couples sharing their own story. eHarmony was founded in 1999 by Dr. Neil Clark Warren PhD., Psychologist and bestselling author. His concept paved the way for other dating sites to incorporate compatibility matching. His assertion on starting the website was “Most failed marriages were doomed from the start because of incompatibility.”


eHarmony.com – Positives

Success rates of 90 people on average every day get married.
Utilizes a Guided Communication process to help matched couples communicate.
Free personality profile ($40 value), you do not have to be a paid member to take it.
Gift certificates available.

eHarmony.com – Negatives

You are not accepted if you have been married more than twice.
You have to be legally divorced, not just separated.
Straight has to be your sexual orientation.

www.eHarmony.com – Main features

Unlike the majority of online dating sites who match you on basic personality and with the focus on appearance and your photo, eHarmony concentrates on an individual’s entire package. Categories on their questionnaire are comprised of 436 questions used as a compatibility benchmark in 29 areas they feel is crucial for a successful relationship. According to eHarmony’s website, “in areas of values, character, and intellect, sense of humor, spiritual beliefs and passion.” The dating site states that “90 eHarmony members on average get married every single day.”

Though their questionnaire is intensive and laborious (estimated one hour time to complete), its purpose is to find the best person for you but also to discourage people who do not really want to be in a serious long term relationship. Not everyone is accepted at eHarmony. If their personality profile finds you emotionally unstable you will not be able to become a member. People who have been married numerous times or people whose sexual orientation is not straight cannot become a member. It can be frustrating because you do not find out if they accept you or not until you have completed the entire test. An estimated twenty percent of the people are not accepted at eHarmony.com.

After you are accepted and become a paid member at eHarmony, your personality profile evaluation along with compatibility matches are sent to you; you are able to begin your relationship journey. eHarmony utilizes a Guided Communication process that assists couples in getting to know each other, thus eliminating that awkward first meeting phase. If you interested in looking at photos, you may only do so if you are a paid member and if the photos are your matches. However, they do offer a free seven day trial which allows you to view ten matches.

eHarmony.com – Full Membership costs

One Month Membership Term
$59.95

Three Month Membership Term
$36.95 a month (38% savings off monthly rate). It is billed in one installment of $110.95

Six Month Membership Term
$28.95 a month (52% savings off monthly rate). It is billed in one installment of $173.70

Twelve Month Membership Term
$20.95 a month (65% savings off monthly rate). It is billed in one installment of $251.40

Subscription plans for all eHarmony members include the following features:

Accurate and compatible matches
A seven day trial that is risk free with satisfaction guaranteed.
Other Information

There has been much controversy and media attention that eHarmony is discriminative, especially towards the gay community. Dr. Warren stated in a 2005 USA Article that “….the site is open and used by people of all religious backgrounds, but the product was specifically designed for heterosexual matches based on his research in that areas as a therapist. He went on to say that he was “….unfamiliar with the matchmaking needs of the gay dating community.”