Over 4 million online matrimonial search subscribers have shown that they find the Internet as a viable medium for looking for eligible brides and grooms.

1. It allows you to specify your requirements of the person and do a meaningful search,
2. Availability of information along with photographs makes the search easier and quicker,
3. Makes it possible for people to get to know each other through email, chat online and talk on the phone, without revealing the identity, until they are comfortable to do so,
4. No other form of matrimonial search compares in its ability to bring so many available singles together with tons of information about each, and it provides a quick and efficient way to ferret out matches,
5. Starts as a free service provider and makes people pay only once convinced.

1. It creates the opportunity to meet people one would otherwise never meet. Men cite this as an advantage especially the one living in non-metros,
2. It's easier to end a relationship if it's just online,
3. It offers privacy and confidentiality Women regard this as a big advantage,
4. It's a lot more convenient than other ways of trying to meet people and allows you to be selective. Again, women regard this as a big advantage than men,
5. Two main reasons for not using the service were perceived lack of trust - 84 per cent and embarrassment - 16 per cent.

The estimated market size of the Online Matrimonial Search market for the year 2004-2005 is Rs 200 million and the projected market size for the year 2007-2008 is pegged at Rs 800+ million. On the other hand, the market size for the year 2003-2004 was Rs 60 million.

On the other hand, the online matrimonial search subscribers in October 2004 was four million as compared to 2.25 million in June 2003.

People in the age group of 20 - 55 years are the ones who usually log on to matrimonial sites and the fastest growing age group is 25 - 34 years. The study also found that the average time spent by visitors on matrimonial searches is 19 minutes and the average time spent by subscribers on matrimonial searches is 34 minutes. The male-female ratio, on the other hand is 69 per cent: 31 per cent.

IOA examined matrimonial search by new subscribers by gender and found men to be more involved in the process.

Hindustan Times chief executive Internet Sanjay Trehan said, "The online matrimonial classifieds are replete with exciting possibilities, as better search, wider reach and real time environment lead to more customer benefits. However, it is critical to maintain the credibility and integrity of the database. At Hindustan Times, we are planning to add more value to our online offering, HTMatrimonials.com, which is aligned with our print product."

BharatMatrimony.com business head S Suresh said, "The Internet is a powerful medium that is borderless and seamless, couple the Internet with life partner searching and the possibilities are endless. The Internet definitely has more benefits than other mediums of life partner searching. Every search query that is put forth by the user returns with a wider choice and precision of the query so put, thereby improving the quality of matches and hence making it a growing and preferred medium."

Rediff.com India Limited head IR and public affairs Debasis Ghosh said, "We are happy to state that Rediff Matchmaker is one of the fastest growing communities on the Rediff website as demonstrated by the over two fold growth achieved in our matrimonial subscriber base over the past year. This growth was achieved on the back greater customer delight experienced by our users due to the introduction of superior features like the unique message management system allowing for threaded and referenced interaction and the state-of-the-art contextual search facilitating better matches. With dozens of successful matches being initiated through Rediff Matchmaker during 2004, we are optimistic that this service will continue to foster a young and vibrant community of interest at Rediff.com."

On the other hand, Shaadi.com group product manager Shrinath Mithanthaya said, "When it comes to marriage, every individual's deepest desire is to "arrange my own love marriage". Shaadi.com understands this perfectly, and helps customers transform virtual matchmaking into a 'Real', delightful experience - detailed profile, multiple photos, video clips, live chat, etc. We have created trust by getting our customers to build Shaadi.com. Under our Continuous Improvement Program, we religiously listen to their requirements and systematically implement them. And sure enough, Shaadi.com is the world's first matrimonial site to have an ISO 9001:2000 certification. Besides, our TRUSTe and VeriSign seals also attest the privacy and security of customer information."