Well, online dating isn't that new. It dates (no pun intended) back to the early days of the commercial internet, in the mid to late 90's. There were even message boards and forums where people (generally computer enthusiasts) met online back in the late 1980's (through BBS and the like).

While online dating is an established concept, the average person still doesn't know much about it. There are two types of online dating: the kind that takes place on an official dating site (like eHarmony) and the kind that occurs naturally through other types of online communication (like email, IM, chat rooms, and social networking sites like myspace and facebook).

Dating by using an official site has several advantages over the other type of online dating. If you use a website geared towards dating, for one thing, the people visiting that site (your potential dates) are people you know are there looking for someone special to go out with. This helps keep you or anyone else from barking up the wrong tree and looking foolish.

The disadvantage to looking for a date on an official dating website is that the chemistry between you and the other person could be feigned. It could also be an accidental illusion that occurs because you are both in the mindset to date. Some people are just intent on dating or getting married; it doesn't matter with or to whom. Therefore, you may find someone you THINK is your soul mate because you are expecting to find your real soul mate. This is what is known as a self-fulfilled prophecy or perhaps a placebo effect.

The advantages to finding a significant other by unofficial means, such as through regular chatting or social networking are many. For one thing, the placebo/self-fulfilled prophecy problem is less likely. For another thing, you may wind up dating someone who is already part of your existing social network. This makes dating and having fun more enjoyable, because you are able to easily incorporate you dating activities with your current social group activities.

If you find a date online, you may find a sense of pride in finding that person organically, meaning through just living everyday life online (versus forcing yourself to supposedly find a match). However, you may be more likely to find someone just right for you, someone with a lot in common with you, on an official dating site.

One in-between could be to try joining social networking groups that pertain to your main interests. This way you are likely to find people who have things in common with you, and some of them may happen to be single and looking for someone special. This is half-organic, in terms of approach. It could be the best solution of all, though: a happy medium, if you will.

The truth is that finding dates online happens all the time. And the likelihood a relationship that is found online will work out, is pretty much equal to the same probability regarding a relationship found in the real world (offline). Therefore, whether to engage in online dating is entirely up to you and your preferences!