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Not so long ago many of us didn't have Internet access at home. Today, 7million Brits use it to search for potential partners.
Hours are spent carefully editing profiles, viewing pictures and chatting by e-mail about hobbies, dreams and ambitions.
But it's not just mainstream – niche dating sites have started cropping up everywhere and more people are logging on to them.
Just because they're different, it doesn't mean they don't work...
Couple 1
Simon, 28, a recruitment consultant from Surrey, has been with his girlfriend Marie, 24, a music coordinator from London, for one year.
They met on isawyouonce.com, a site where you post a sighting of someone you saw but were too scared to make a move on. It has 4,000 members.
'I stayed at a friend's house after a big night out and got a train from Streatham, South London. I had to run to catch the train and was wearing last night's hair gel.
'As I caught my breath, I looked up and realised I was inches away from the most beautiful girl I had ever seen.
'I spent 18 minutes nose to nose with someone I had decided was meant for me but was too hung-over and too scared to talk to. So I got off the train without looking back.
'This girl had such an effect on me that I talked about her constantly for a week and even went back to the same station.
'Eventually, my friend told me about the website. I typed in where and when I had seen her, what she looked like and what I looked like.
'I even posted a photo of myself and although I laughed it off, I secretly thought 'this is my only hope'.
'Three days later, I received an e-mail saying that someone had posted a similar sighting of me. It was her and we arranged to meet up. I still can't believe my luck.'
Couple 2
Amanda, 24, is an events coordinator from London. She has been with her boyfriend Danny, 26, for 14 months. He is currently in the Army.
They met through the dating website datemyplate.com. It works like a conventional dating website but you include your car details when you register.
If someone spots you in your car, they can search for you through your number plate or colour or make of the car.
'I drive the same way to work every day and sit in the same traffic. One day I spotted a redhead in a white Astra going in the opposite direction.
'I saw him every day for a week and eventually a friend told me about the website. I logged on and found him.
'I spent a few days convincing myself to contact him but decided I had nothing to lose. I sent him a message saying: 'Spotted you, the cute redhead in the traffic. How are you? Black Polo…'
'I heard nothing for a week so gave up hope, but then he e-mailed me.
'Two weeks later he asked to meet me in a local pub and we discovered we even had some mutual friends.
'I believe in fate and believe that I was meant to meet Danny.
'We've just bought a house together but have no other plans at the moment – I think the whirlwind has moved us fast enough so far.'
Couple 3
Cindy is an air stewardess and has been with her boyfriend, Stephen, a construction worker, for just two months.
They met on gocougar.com, which introduces older women to younger men. Cindy is 48 and her boyfriend is 18.
It was initially set up in the US, attracting 10,000 members and has just launched in Britain.
'Before I went on the site I had been on nearly 25 dates with younger men. Things are still fresh and exciting for them and it's fun to be a part of that. I don't feel my age when I'm with younger guys.
'I was very excited when I stumbled upon the website (an ad popped up while I was filling in a profile for another site). It isn't easy to find younger men who are interested in dating older women.
'I started chatting by e-mail with Stephen and we went for dinner. My friends are supportive but my sister doesn't think it will last.
'Stephen hasn't told any of his family – society just isn't ready for relationships with an age gap as large as ours.
'But he has told two of his friends. Their reply was: 'Again?' because he has dated older women before. As for the future, Stephen might move closer to me or perhaps even move in with me.'
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