2006 Press
JUPITERRESEARCH FINDS RISING PRICES KEEP NEW SUBSCRIBERS AWAY FROM ONLINE DATING
(New York, NY - February 8, 2006) - JupiterResearch, a division of Jupitermedia Corporation (Nasdaq: JUPM), today announced that the U.S. online dating industry failed to grow its paid subscriber base in the last year. According to a new report entitled: "Online Dating in 2006: Pricing Strategies to Drive Subscriber Growth" authored by JupiterResearch Analyst Nate Elliott, industry growth in the last twelve months has been driven by higher monthly fees rather than an increasing number of subscribers.A January 2006 JupiterResearch consumer survey found that 5% of Internet users paid for online dating subscriptions in the last year, down slightly from 6% in 2005. Industry-wide user conversion rates fell for the first time since JupiterResearch began tracking that metric.
"Although online dating revenues continue to grow, rising prices have kept a large number of users from converting to paid subscribers," said Nate Elliott, JupiterResearch Analyst. "Thirty seven percent of visitors who don't convert say dating sites cost too much, making it their leading complaint," added Elliott.
The JupiterResearch report also concludes that social networking sites pose little threat to the online dating industry. Just 14% of dating site visitors who donŐt pay for subscriptions say they use free sites, like social networks, for online dating instead.
"Only one-third of Internet users who went to dating sites in the last year became paying subscribers," said Elliott. "Our research shows there is an opportunity for dating sites to use targeted discounting strategies to convert more of their visitors into paid customers," added Elliott.
The complete findings of this report are immediately available to JupiterResearch clients online at www.jupiterresearch.com. For additional information on the report JupiterResearch's Content and Programming Service offerings visit www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly, Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212 or [email protected]
About Jupitermedia Corporation
Jupitermedia Corporation (Nasdaq: JUPM) (www.jupitermedia.com),
headquartered in Darien, CT, is a leading global provider of original information, images and research for information technology, business and creative professionals. Jupitermedia includes Jupiterimages, one of the leading images companies in the world with over 7.0 million images online serving creative professionals with brands like BananaStock, Brand X, FoodPix, Botanica, Nonstock, Comstock Images, Creatas Images, PictureQuest, Liquid Library, Thinkstock Images, Thinkstock Footage, Bigshot Media, Goodshoot, ITStockFree, Stock Image, Pixland, Photos.com, Ablestock.com, PhotoObjects.net, Clipart.com and AnimationFactory.com; and JupiterWeb, the online media division of Jupitermedia which operates four distinct online networks: internet.com and EarthWeb.com for IT and business professionals; DevX.com for developers; and Graphics.com for creative professionals. JupiterWeb properties include more than 150 Web sites and over 150 e-mail newsletters that are viewed by over 20 million users and generate over 300 million page views monthly. Jupitermedia also includes: JupiterResearch, a leading international research advisory organization specializing in business and technology market research in over 30 business areas and vertical markets.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties address a variety of subjects including, for example, the competitive environment in which Jupitermedia competes; the unpredictability of Jupitermedia's future revenues, expenses, cash flows and stock price; Jupitermedia's ability to integrate acquired businesses, products and personnel into its existing businesses; Jupitermedia's ability to protect its intellectual property; and Jupitermedia's dependence on a limited number of advertisers. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and uncertainties, refer to Jupitermedia's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date of this press release, and Jupitermedia assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements after the date hereof.
For information on this report and JupiterResearch contact:
Vic Beck or Peter Arnold
781-239-1030
[email protected]
For information on Jupitermedia Corporation contact:
Lisa DiGiacomo
Marketing and Public Relations Associate
212-547-7938
[email protected]
All current JupiterResearch press releases can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/press:releases/
All current Jupitermedia Corporation press releases can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.jupitermedia.com/corporate/press.html
