The online world has become a haven for singles. You no longer need to bear the noise and the expense of the bar scene, nor do you need to rely on your parents or your friends to introduce you to someone whom they think you would be sure to fall in love with. Plus, you don't have to deal with the inevitable awkwardness when they are wrong.

Online dating can be a quicker alternative as it connects you to other people across the nation (and perhaps the world) with a simple click of the mouse.

Here are more reasons that Americans' interest in online dating services is one the rise:

1. Online dating services give you the ability to access hundreds of profiles. You can learn more about any of your virtual "matches" before you make any kind of connection with them.

2. Your prospective love connections are not limited by the people you meet in your job, school, or social circle.

3. If you choose a reputable, reliable, and established online dating site, you will find a number of security measures set up to retain your privacy and safety. Some of these sites do a criminal record background check and some check to make sure that prospective members are, indeed, single. Before you sign up with an online dating service, look to see what kinds of safety measures they have put into place.

4. You make the decision whether to meet someone. And you make the decision whether to share any of your personal information. Again, if you have signed up for a reliable site, your personal information is kept confidential until the point at which you decide to share it.

5. Online dating sites have a number of different tools that make looking for a match a truly entertaining and enjoyable experience. Some sites offer personality tests, image uploads and some have personal ads with audio and or video.

6. Online dating is reasonably affordable. Most of the reliable sites charge a fee for membership (all those safety measures aren't free) but most of them also have a free trial period where you can try out the site and see what it offers before you sign up for a longer membership.