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GMI Poll Reveals That Americans Use Internet More For Friendship Than For Love

Valentine's Day Survey Finds Online Dating Not Important to Americans Compared with Global Average

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Seattle, WA - Jan. 31, 2006 - Powered by global market intelligence solutions provider GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.), the latest GMI Poll, a survey of 17,502 online consumers across 18 countries, finds that Americans go online seeking friendships (21%) more than casual sex (16%) or a serious, long-term relationship (19%). The report also reveals that Americans lag behind the global average when using online dating and social networking sites for any kind of relationship, whether for romance (4 percentage points lower), sex (2 percentage points behind), or friendship (one-third as frequently).

The GMI Poll numbers prove that Cupid seems to have missed his mark with Americans. With only 32 percent of Americans viewing online dating as "somewhat" or "extremely" important, versus the global average of 45 percent, the U.S. is the least likely country to consider online dating important. Similarly, over half of Americans (60 %) answered a resounding "no" when asked if they had any friends who found significant relationships through online dating, which is significantly higher (20 percentage points) than the global average for this finding.

The younger demographic, or 18-to-29-year-olds, are the most likely to be "extremely satisfied" with their preferred Internet site than are 30-to-44-year-olds or the 45-to-64-year-old age group, according to the GMI Poll. This continues to present a substantial opportunity for marketers to reach out to younger people who seem to be more comfortable with meeting people online.

Americans Prove Most Virtuous When it Comes to Opinions on Cyber-Cheating

Another finding from the GMI Poll is that the U.S. maintains the moral high ground when it comes to their views on cheating online. Weighing in at first place, almost 40 percent of U.S. respondents strongly believe that having an online relationship or engaging in "cybersex" is considered equal to cheating on their partner. Running a close second, 39 percent of Canadians agree, and in third place, 37 percent of Danes offer a resounding “yes” when responding to this question. With a mere 10 percent of respondents defining cybersex as "cheating," Russia pulls up the rear when it comes to being honest with their partners about looking for love over the Internet.

The GMI Poll uncovered a related finding: if people are cheating online, with whom are they really cheating? Like the majority of respondents worldwide, over three-quarters of Americans participating in the poll agree that people misrepresent themselves online.

	You indicated that you prefer international-oriented websites. Please tell us which nationalities you are interested in for online dating
	Overall, why do you use online dating websites?
	Please indicate your sexual orientation
	Please tell us if you have used the Internet to find any of the following types of relationships
	Please tell us how long you have used online dating websites
	Please tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statement: "People misrepresent themselves on online dating websites."
	Please tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statement: "I have cheated on a significant other while using an online dating website."
	Please tell us how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statement: "If I had an online relationship or cyber sex over the Internet, I would consider this cheating on my significant other."
	Overall, how successful have you been with online dating websites?
	Overall, when using online dating services, do you prefer domestic- or international-oriented websites?
	Please tell us if you have any friends who use an online dating or relationship website?
	Please tell us if you have any friends that have found a significant relationship through online dating?
	Please tell us if you think that online dating is important in today's world?

About GMI Poll

GMI Poll quickly and accurately gathers international opinions about topical issues and critical global events, with real-time results available in as little as 24 hours. GMI Poll is the only survey that polls global opinions in real time, online, and with statistically accurate results.

About GMI

GMI (Global Market Insite, Inc.) is the only company that provides comprehensive integrated solutions for global market intelligence for both market research firms and corporate market research departments at Global 2000 companies. Solutions include Net-MR®, a suite of software tools to manage and automate research throughout the project lifecycle, desktop analysis tools, 24x7x365 service bureau capabilities, and one of the world’s largest, highly profiled, double opt-in managed panels, spanning across 200 countries. In addition, GMI offers high-value, real-time enterprise feedback solutions for customer, partner and employee programs. Founded in 1999 with world headquartersin Seattle, Wash., GMI has operations on five continents.