The dating site, eHarmony.com (Alexa: 1,089; Jul 08) is a compatibility matching site designed by Neil Warren, which requires users to fill out a 436-question "Relationship Questionnaire," which covers 29 so-called "dimensions" of compatibility. [1]

Cost: $59.95 (one month plan).

Overview
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History
In 1997, after 35 years practicing as a clinical psychologist and counseling thousands of married couples, American psychologist Neil Warren had come believe that there was a better way to find love than leaving it up to chance. He knew from his experience in clinical work that although some American marriages were ending in divorce, many others were deeply satisfying unions of two fulfilled individuals. He observed that, in many cases, the marriages that endured were composed of compatible people, while marriages that deteriorated often did so because the differences between the individuals became harder to resolve over time. What if he could define the traits most likely to lead to relationship success? Could certain characteristics predict compatibility and lead to more satisfying relationships?

Warren set out to test this theory in collaboration with American psychologist Galen Buckwalter a research professor at the University of Southern California. They sought to identify the characteristics between spouses that were consistently associated with the most successful relationships. Two books, outlining the results of these researches, resulted, the 1999 How to Know If Someone is Worth Pursuing in Two Dates or Less and the 2002 Date Mate or Soul Mate?, an evolved version of the former. After three years of research and development, they successfully identified the key dimensions of personality that predicted compatibility and the potential for long-term relationship success. Out of these efforts the Pasadena-based eHarmony.com launched in 2000. [3]

Pros/Cons
A plus side of eHarmony, is that the matching algorithms are based on the results of psychological studies of actual couples in relationships.

One of the initial downsides of eHarmony, is that the initial questionnaire takes 45-minutes to fill out. Secondly, 20% of people, after filling out the questionnaire, get rejected with no explanation. A third downside, of eHarmony is that the company is made fun of, parodied, and found in spoof videos a lot (as in the adjacent video).

References
1. Staff. (2008). “Harmonious technologist: Greg Waldorf”, The Boardroom, Fri July 11. CNN.com.
2. (a) Warren, Neil C. (1999). How to Know If Someone is Worth Pursuing in Two Dates or Less, Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
(b) Warren, Neil C. (2002). Date Mate or Soul Mate? How to Know If Someone is Worth Pursuing in Two Dates or Less, Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 3. Company overview – eHarmony.com.

External links
● eHarmony – Wikipedia.