The match-making process works as follows:

• These types of match-making, online dating, internet dating or e-dating services and providers, go-betweens, or brokers or sorts, generally and typically allow individuals free reign to divulge and provide personal information, (entered in form fields and/or putting profiles together.
• The functionality of this system comes to life by users/consumers on the hunt, then searching for other individuals/matches using selected and specific criteria such as age, gender and geographical location (region, city, even postal code).
• Uploading photos, videos, even voice-recordings can all be done. This enables you to browse the photos of others at your leisure.
• Some of the more established providers and online dating sites host web-casts, online chat, and message boards, discussion forums, informative articles, assessments and questionnaires, even ratings.
• Some sites offer services for free, other initially charge nothing, but then later on, some subscription fees (monthly) for a period of time applies. There are also sites that offer memberships for a fee.
• Many if not most of these dating sites are broad-based, with a wide audience and talent pool, with numerous diverse members from a variety of backgrounds looking for different types of relationships.
• Other online dating sites are more specific, based on the type of members, interests, location, or relationship desired, reflecting preferences, religion etc. (like the Christian and Jewish sites mentioned above)
• Online dating is a growing revenue stream with US consumers spending close to $470 million on online dating services and web-personals.
• On its own, online dating represents the largest sector of ‘paid online services’. Yahoo Personals, Match.com, American Singles, and eHarmony are considered the top 4.

For safe internet, match-making, by self (own hand) or third party-mediated, online and e-dating you need to be diligent and informed as to content, providers, privacy, costs, fees, what types of information, assessments etc. will be required of you, safety, what type of people you can/will expect to meet on and through this site.