Ways to Meet People Online

One of the most popular activities online is finding people to communicate with. We all crave relationships and human connection, and the Web has made this possible for more people all over the world than at any other time in history. So how do you meet people online? Many people utilize sites that connect you with people that hold similar interests - to find and enrich these connections.

Simply searching for "meet people online" will bring you back more results than you probably will know what to do with. It's sometimes difficult to know which websites are reputable, which ones are legitimate, and which ones are just out to take your hard-earned money. In this article, we'll take a look at a collection of websites that deliver a consistently balanced experience for the searcher who's looking for deeper connections, people with the same interests, etc. . At the time of publication, all of these sites offered free membership and/or usage of their services. Note: because these sites are free, they are supported by ads, and not all of these ads are considered family-friendly. Please use caution when visiting and using these sites' services.

01

of 05

Plentyoffish

Plentyoffish is a completely free online dating site; it's also one of the largest free online dating sites on the Web. Registration is free, and once you register, you can find people in your state, city, country; or, if you're looking for someone the same age or affiliation are you, PlentyofFish makes that possible as well. At the time of this writing, there were over three million registered users on PoF, making it one of the largest dating sites on the Web today. More people use this site than any other dating site online. More »

02

of 05

OkCupid

OkCupid is a free online dating site with a bit of a twist; your profile is matched up via a personality testing process that ensures you are matched with the best picks possible. OkCupid uses algorithms to match people up to other people that are well-suited; their services are completely free, but they do offer special perks for those who want to pay a bit extra to use the site. Most people find that the free services suit their needs just fine. More »

03

of 05

Zoosk

Zoosk is a free online dating site that gives you the ability to have live video and voice speed sessions via computer and webcam; it's a great way to meet people quickly and easily. While Zoosk is mostly about getting people to meet other people, they also encourage their employees to spend time in charitable giving: "Zoosk is committed to giving back to our communities both personally and financially. We regularly donate our time at Glide Memorial, at local arts groups and animal shelters, and are always looking for new ways to contribute." If you're looking for a dating site with a heart, this is the one you'll want to check out. More »

04

of 05

Meetup.com

Meetup.com isn't technically classified as a dating site per se. However, this is a fantastic way to find people who are interested in the same things you are, from mountain climbing to book of the month clubs and everything in between. There are groups gathering in your local area for virtually any interest you can think of, and many friendships and relationships have sprung out of these casual gatherings. More »

05

of 05

Craigslist

Craigslist isn't technically a dating site, but you can find personal ads for people all over the world that are looking for friendly interaction or deeper relationships. Simply find your geographic area, and then look in the section marked "Personals". Many people have found this to be a great way to find local people in their area who are interested in similar hobbies, groups, etc.

However, unlike the other sites listed in this article, there is not even a minimum of "vetting" to see if the person whose ad you are looking at is a good match, so keep that in mind when browsing through the Craigslist marketplace. In addition, many ads can be very NSFW (not safe for work), so browse at your own risk and use common sense and safety protocols when deciding whether or not to reply to an ad on Craigslist. More »