New research shows that online dating in Europe grew by 43 percent last year, while participants in the U.S. declined by 1 percent.

It was the first time the number of U.S. subscribers has fallen, according to Jupiter Research.

Some 5 percent of users in the states paid for online dating websites in 2005, a 1 percent drop from 2004, reports BBC News.

U.S. users pointed to the high cost of subscriptions as the reason for the decline, says Nate Elliott, author of the report.

Thirty-seven percent of users blame high prices for not joining an online dating site.

Elliot explains, "Only one-third of internet users who went to online dating sites in the last year became paying subscribers. Our research shows there is an opportunity for dating sites to use targeted discounting strategies to convert more of their visitors into paid customers."

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New research shows that online dating in Europe grew by 43 percent last year, while participants in the U.S. declined by 1 percent.

It was the first time the number of U.S. subscribers has fallen, according to Jupiter Research.

Some 5 percent of users in the states paid for online dating websites in 2005, a 1 percent drop from 2004, reports BBC News.

U.S. users pointed to the high cost of subscriptions as the reason for the decline, says Nate Elliott, author of the report.

Thirty-seven percent of users blame high prices for not joining an online dating site.

Elliot explains, "Only one-third of internet users who went to online dating sites in the last year became paying subscribers. Our research shows there is an opportunity for dating sites to use targeted discounting strategies to convert more of their visitors into paid customers."


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