Parship

Parship (or Parship GmbH) an online dating agency based in Hamburg, Germany. It is part of the Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and is one of the most commercially successful such agencies. It is the second most successful dating agency in Germany. Its stated goal is to encourage and forge long-term partnerships.

History

The agency was founded in 2000. Parship went online on 14 February 2001 (Valentine's Day). In collaboration with psychologist Hugo Schmale of the University of Hamburg, a questionnaire and associated profile-matching algorithm was developed with the purpose of bringing like-minded couples together. On Schmale's initiative, the matching algorithm is based both on behavioristic principles and on psychoanalytical theories of personality.

Gay Parship

Simultaneous with the 2001 launch of Parship, Gay-Parship was launched. Due to the large success, in 2005 two separate portals were launched, catering explicitly to a homosexual target group. Here, too, the agency defines itself as focusing on a high level of education and income, and with the goal of a long-term partnership.

Memberships and cost

Parship offers two basic services, a free and a pay account. The free membership includes registration, an automated evaluation of the questionnaire and the possibility of inspecting the profiles of other members, but not photos.

For actual contact between members, including responding to received contact offers, and for exchanging photos, a Premium membership is required. Subscription costs range from 30 to 60 Euro monthly. According to the Parship website, 38% of their members are Premium members.

International

In 2002 Parship became international and is now active in 13 countries in addition to Germany: Belgium, Denmark, France, UK, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Mexico.

See also

• List of online dating websites

External links

• International portal