5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The use of online matchmaking has increased dramatically over recent years, and has become a popular means for individuals to find an intimate partner. For some, online sites are a means to obtain a romantic partner, for dating and the development of a relationship. For those who purely seek a sexual encounter, many websites provide that specific service. And, of course, there are many online sites which assist in locating a prospective spouse. While such online services have increased, the inherent variations across the different types of consumers and service providers have outpaced researchers’ understanding of them. Further, the consequences of such services, for both individuals and the larger society, remain largely unknown.

In this session, we invite submissions from scholars around the globe which address the nature and complexities of online matchmaking. Topics of interest may include, but are not limited to: online dating and social skills, the consequences of mismatches in online matchmaking, the demography of online matchmaking, relationship development in the online realm, the impact of online matchmaking on marital quality and marital duration, sexual orientation and online matchmaking, and other related issues. Given the multitude of online matchmaking sites, along with their respective contexts, we seek submissions from all regions of the world, and submissions from all theoretical and methodological perspectives.