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eHarmony.com: the ads people love to hate
People just despise eHarmony.com’s ads. There’s a whole thread in Yahoo! Answers called “Does anyone else find those eHarmony.com commercials sickening?” Above is an ad from the online dating company in which a guy surprises his girlfriend by proposing to her during an eHarmony commercial shoot. So much for that candlelight dinner she was hoping for. (The one comment under this YouTube video reads: “These commercials really, really, REALLY fucking piss me off. They are annoying beyond belief. The people in them are a bunch of yuppie losers who like to show affection on TV and rub it in everyone’s faces. They all need to die.”) Read more about eHarmony over at Consumerist, including the company’s “vaguely creepy religious aura” and apparent discrimination against drunkards. |
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October 17, 2006 | Permalink |
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Tim Nudd writes:
People just despise eHarmony.com’s ads. There’s a whole thread in Yahoo! Answers called “Does anyone else find those eHarmony.com commercials sickening?” [Here] is an ad from the online dating company in which a guy surprises h... [Read More]
Tracked on Oct 24, 2006 12:36:14 AM
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I've heard that eHarmony is actually a Christian-based company and if you don't meet their "criteria," they actually reject you. No, I didn't find this out by applying.
Posted by: Smivey | Oct 17, 2006 9:58:45 AM
I HATE, i "fucking" hate being reduced to an interest survey. My kuder interest survey was wrong in 1972, I suspect my psychological personality survey in 2006 with 900 some questions performed to music for three hours was "fucked" with too.
George, you know who you are, is my usage okay?
Posted by: nancy | Oct 17, 2006 10:17:45 AM
A friend of mine used them because they've marketed themselves well as the go-to site for mature relationships (versus the fleshtastic ads of True et al). But she ended up with a guy I called "Churchy McHomophobe," and it sadly didn't work out.
I think the ads incite bile because they appeal to the romantics, the cheeseballs, the Tom Hanks-Meg Ryan Movie Club. But I think that's a demo left wide open by the sex-crazed spots you see all over the Internet.
I personally think the Tavern Owners Association of America should start an ad campaign of testimonials from people who met their spouses in bars. "When she threw her bra onto the deer antlers above the pinball machine, I knew she was for me."
Posted by: CorruptedJournalist | Oct 17, 2006 10:23:48 AM
hey, it could turn out to be a wonderful thing. I'm not knocking the romatntics. Thats's what i like about who. I'm just paranoid about collection of data. They found that out in that question on that personal data collection survey they sneakedly did on me anyway.
Posted by: nancy | Oct 17, 2006 11:14:14 AM
I don't despite the ads, I despise them. But I'm a huge jerk with typos, too.
Posted by: Spellcheck Makes You Lazy | Oct 17, 2006 1:16:43 PM
The only think I can think of when I watch those commercials is "ugh."
Posted by: Anonymous | Oct 17, 2006 1:44:30 PM
"i" was never good at desiding with a-b or c cliques. So nothing ever works out rite for me with them or the other dating surfaces
unles i use my knows how's in person.
Posted by: multiple choice MiSFiT | Oct 17, 2006 3:06:13 PM
These ads hide the truth of how frustrating, scary and disappointing internet dating really is...and how inaccurate it is for a "profile" and survey to really match ones personality. I hate these ads. That is all.
Posted by: Jess | Oct 17, 2006 4:31:41 PM
I like to use a combination of techniques to find the perfect date. I don’t have to be bothered with all those messy online forms or banner ads either.
It’s a little something I call speed-stalking. After three-minutes of following a prospect in a store or other public place, I’ve developed a way to read if they’re worth pursuing long-term or not.
It's a win-win.
Posted by: makethelogobigger | Oct 17, 2006 5:34:59 PM
i have had my name in here for some time . Ihave had three matches .But they don>t responed
Posted by: judy rexing | Oct 29, 2006 1:01:45 AM
eHarmony ads are utterly repulsive!!!
From the charlatan doctor in their ads, to the pathetic hollywood scripted relationships between actors who don't know one another's names, much less one other, all overlayed upon the cheesiest background music and jingle in the advertising industry...sickening.
It's like "K-Fed gets introduced to Brittany Spears through a Richard Simmons commercial website..."
What a waste time, and internet bandwidth...!!!
Posted by: Jim | Dec 26, 2006 11:56:38 PM
I lived in a small town full of girls my age (23 at the time) that were on their 4th pregnancy, had an std, or a hidden meth addiction. 2 weeks after I signed on to eHarmony, I met my wife. You guys all saw me propose to her on that, "utterly repulsive..." ""It's like "K-Fed gets introduced to Brittany Spears through a Richard Simmons commercial website..."ad listed above."
You eHarmony conspiricy theorists make me laugh.
Good times.
Posted by: Nate | Feb 21, 2007 12:04:11 PM
In 2006 and just for the heck of it Diet-Coke, I decided to check out the validity of Eharmony.com
I went to their site and took the time to fill out their free personality profile. Not only did I do this once...I did it three different times! Yes, it is certainly a long process. The first time I filled out the profile they denied me as a client.
They gave no reason for it. I was honest and straightforward and answered their questions without reservation. Then a few days later, I got on the site and entered a slightly different adaptation of my name so that I would appear as a new potential client. I answered the questions pretty much the same as the first time. I began to see a common thread, in reading between the lines...so to speak. I was denied a second time and, without any explanation of course.
A few days later, I took the quiz again under another fictitious name and answered all the questions in a pattern slightly different than before however, I was denied again for a third time.
Now...I'll bet you would like to know what the common thread was, right?
They want you to have a yearly income over 80,000 dollars, want to have kids and pets, be college educated with a bachelors or higher degree and attend church.
Admittedly, I don't earn 80K a year, don't want kids or pets and don't want to be forced to attend church each week. I am a Christian and I do believe in God and in Jesus and do attend church occasionally. But that's beside the point.
Eharmony has an agenda, a mold, which you must fit perfectly into in order to be considered for a client of theirs.
Discrimination? BIG TIME! That's why they never give an "explanation" for denying you.
If you want to be a client of Eharmony.com you must be wealthy (cause they want your money), want you to have kids and pets (as this is a true "Liberal" organization for sure) and love God (as God fearing and church going people tend to bend over a lot easier in the money department than others, in the belief that if Eharmony is an organization with so-called religious beliefs behind it...it's GOT to be good).
I've got to give it to Eharmony though; they are very, very smooth in their suttle approach. And most naive liberals fall for it hook, line and sinker.
Reality is, in real life people don't fall in love like the way the commercials show it to be. Lastly, this Neil Clark guy, in my opinion is a money monger taking advantage on naive folks and charging them out the ass for it.
And now you know........................ the REST of the story.
Good Day!
Posted by: Norm | Mar 15, 2007 2:40:55 PM
I met my husband on eharmony. Today, 4 years and 2 kids later we will actually be doing an eharmony commercial. I feel very sorry for all of you lonely people that speak so badly of this service.
Posted by: helpless romantic | Apr 21, 2007 2:39:17 AM
helpless romantic whoopie for you. But the ad is pathetic and if they are turning away ppl who fill out the questionaires because of income reasons or not being 'christian' enough, that kind of thing, that is wrong. You are a part of something that is wrong...don't feel sorry yet for ppl who didn't find LOVE as you did. You don't know whats going to happen in the future. We might see you on DR PHIL.
Posted by: mary | May 10, 2007 12:33:25 PM
helpless romantic whoopie for you. But the ad is pathetic and if they are turning away ppl who fill out the questionaires because of income reasons or not being 'christian' enough, that kind of thing, that is wrong. You are a part of something that is wrong...don't feel sorry yet for ppl who didn't find LOVE as you did. You don't know whats going to happen in the future. We might see you on DR PHIL.
Posted by: mary | May 10, 2007 12:33:26 PM
I met several clients on eharmony. Today, 4 years and 2 kids later I have a great housew and more money in the bank. I feel very sorry for all of you lonely people that speak so badly of this service. Everyone needs love and some are willing to pay for it. :) :)
Posted by: Sue | Jul 11, 2007 9:08:02 AM
I like those. The site uses a sound methodolgy that so few use online or offline. Too bad no one at my church uses it.
Posted by: L0 | Jul 12, 2007 12:06:46 PM
I have been married for 23 years to my least compatible partner!! We are of different ethnic backgrounds, big age gap (hes 13 years older than me), a very tiny communication barrier (misunderstandings) because of him speaking another native language. We come from different family backgrounds and upbringings. We have a 19 and 21 year old kids and happily married. We will be married till death do us part. Diversity makes life interesting, those Eharmony relationships will be so boring!!!!
Posted by: Christie | Aug 14, 2007 1:01:23 PM
Hell, I just utterly despise, that's DESPISE (all caps) those freaking eHarmony commercials! I can't decide what I hate more, the poor production quality, the insipidly bad acting or that ludicrous "kindly old psychologist" from central casting. Apparently, one of their other requirements is that you either be white, or if not, act as white as possible. The whitest person I've seen all week is an African-American in one of those eHarmony ads. White, black, latino, Asian or otherwise those friggin' people make me wish it was possible to literally rip them off my TV screen and shove them into my kitchen's garbage disposal. Fortunately, I can just make do with the remote, instead.
Posted by: Kid Zed | Sep 1, 2007 8:45:28 PM
First time on eharmony, they rejected me. Two years later, I tried it again. I filled out the questionnaire. But it was at a time when I was just figuring out my career path, what I want to do with myself, and moving into a new place. So who knows how they are going to be a year later?
Anyway, I got accepted. Of the first few matches, they all looked good 'on paper', but in reading their personality profiles (the ones that shared it), I found that they were a little...boring. The one person that seemed to spark any kind of interest in me was matched using 'flexible matching 'where they 'loosen' the criteria a bit, just to get me a match.
You mean to tell me, out of a database of how many thousands of people all over the world, they had to play tricks with the system to even find me a match to email? Okay. Then why accept me.
Then, I contacted the guy...and later found he was married. No controls, no security to make sure you're not meeting a cheater, or worse. Disappointing at best.
After that...the number of matches plumetted completely. I only got about 3 matches per month. Each one closed out before I got a chance to respond.
Doesn't help that I'm a Black woman, kinda tall and a little more voluptuous than most skinny Catholic girls, and I like Jewish men. They don't really help out when you're interested in interracial or intercultural dating...which is always more fun :)
Sure, I make money. But I'm pretty laid back, and like to have beer, wine and occasionally some other fun...and I'm sexually expressive...which is frowned upon there on the site.
I have a best friend who met someone and they're in a long term relationship. But she's a petite Asian girl dating a short white guy. I mean, of course that's going to happen. Personally, I think they're pretty boring together...she's much more interesting than he is. But hey, he makes the right money, is not into sex and wants to get married. No one wants to cheat with him...not anyone like me who is artistic, nonconformist and has a bit of soul.
So, eharmony is crap. So are the commercials that prey on those of us who have had hard times dating...online and offline.
The best way to date...just do what you love and meet folks that way. Go outside, exercise, eat right and say hello. Smile. It's much less expensive and much more fun.
Posted by: Vitamin_A | Sep 18, 2007 3:53:46 PM
Chemistry.com just came out. Their ads are much nicer. And more real.
I tried them, after having a sucky time on eharmony.com. Right out the box, there was a sexy guy. I was matched with someone hot, even if I am a Black, full figured woman who only makes $80K/year and isn't religious. They didn't ask what books I like to read or how happy I am today. Hell, that would change over a year anyway.
I don't like how, when eharmony.com neglects to give adequate matches, they say "well just stick with it for a year, something will happen". Hell if you stick with ANYTHING for a year, something will happen.
They just want you to pay for the annual membership cost, or worse $59.95/month to keep trying.
According to them, the only way to find true love is to pay them each month. I'd rather hire my Mom as a matchmaker...at least I can get some home cooked meals out of it. :)
Posted by: APerkins | Sep 18, 2007 3:58:34 PM
Has anyone seen the cox parody of eharmony I LOVE THOSE COMMERCIALS!
Posted by: quentin hegland | Mar 18, 2008 5:33:04 AM
I hate those ads. They make me want to puke. I hold my head under the pillow and say "lalalalalala" until it's over. It's not because I'm bitter and alone, I'm in a happy relationship. They're just fake, annoiying and overplayed. I think the people with positive feedback on this site are eharmony employees. Good try guys. We're not buying your lies.
Posted by: Megan | Jul 23, 2008 10:09:45 PM
I used the service when I was looking to move on from a man and create a 'safety net'. It wasn't until I got some good matches that I dumped the guy I was with. Now I'm married, but I find myself out looking out at eHarmony...........
Posted by: Valerie Jeter | Jul 31, 2008 7:33:55 PM
so bad. I mean, it's just creepy and they always pick people out who are more attractive than me. Those people really have a hard time finding a soul mate? really?
Posted by: paul | Sep 16, 2008 10:00:37 AM
so bad. I mean, it's just creepy and they always pick people out who are more attractive than me. Those people really have a hard time finding a soul mate? really?
Posted by: paul | Sep 16, 2008 10:00:38 AM
I think the ads have gotten a bit better over the past few months.....now they feature more realistic couples, than the lovey-dovey type commercials that made me want to give up all sweets for the rest of my life.
Posted by: Karen | Oct 8, 2008 7:11:45 PM
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Posted by: Criminal injury compensation | Nov 3, 2008 2:14:57 PM
I want to know if anyone lives in Redding, CA and can pop over to the boutique called "Ability" on 1416 Tehama. Supposedly its owned by the eHarmony ad couple "Joshua" and "Tanyalee", with Tanyalee the main shopkeeper. I'd like to know if that's actually their business...Though more than likely they're given the real shop owner exposure and $ to pretend it belongs to these no name actors.
After googling them, it disconcerts me how they've got a blog all about how they met on eHarmony. They're really taking these things far, aren't they? Anything to fool the masses.
Posted by: Shirley Temporarily | Dec 26, 2008 3:11:33 AM
I would like to slice up joshua and tanya lee and feed them to the ad people who made their annoying commercial
fuck you e-harmony
Posted by: angry guy | Jan 18, 2009 10:38:41 PM
It seems you are sponsoring The Newlywed Game. It hasn't aired yet but your commercial is not just cheap, it's disgustingly TRASHY. I'm not a prude but you pay people to write such idiotic lines??????? It will be a cold day in hell before that "game" shows up on my TV set.
Posted by: m.C. | Mar 26, 2009 2:11:47 AM
Those commercials are so fake I find them funny actually. One of the dudes in an eharmony commercial is now in a nyquil commercial. Its so obviously fake and over acted its silly.
Posted by: jendoane | May 16, 2009 9:45:59 AM
Well, I bit. I am out of a 17 year marriage and feeling a little vulnerable and living in a small town, it's hard to meet people you don't already know. So I went to their site...DENIED. So, I guess eharmony doesn't have room for a vibrant, attractive,artistic,healthy, fun loving soul who doesn't drink or smoke, loves pets and kids (and has them), but doesn't attend church or make super good money... the arts doesn't pay well, neither does being a volunteer. What a load of crap. Vitamin_A is right.
Posted by: artsyfartsy | May 27, 2009 12:40:02 PM
If it works for you, fine. If it doesn't, who cares? It's TV. It's an AD. Move on. One thing to have an opinion; seriously dodgy if you're making comments like, "...all those people should die." Just a little overwrought, don't you think? Maybe if we turned off the TV and got a grip on reality, we'd have better relationships and not need eHarmony and the like.
Posted by: See Whatever | Jun 22, 2009 4:21:29 PM
Has anyone else noticed that several of the eharmony 'supporters' in this blog sound almost identical to one another? Seems a little suspicious to me.
Posted by: Vindicair | Aug 12, 2009 8:36:16 PM
Too bad I wasn't able to watch the video because it has been removed due to violation. Does anyone know if this can kind of commercial about eharmony still be found on youtube?
Posted by: Asian dating | Oct 8, 2009 3:08:40 AM
For another take on eHarmony, visit Pointless Planet:
http://www.pointlessplanet.com/2009/10/eharmony-be-yourself.html
Posted by: Toaster | Oct 19, 2009 2:58:33 PM
