Before the internet, people relied on printed classifieds, church bulletin boards, and professional matchmakers to meet potential partners. The 1970s introduced computer‑based matchmaking experiments, such as the pioneering 'Operation Match' project, which used questionnaire data to suggest compatible pairs. These low‑tech efforts laid the conceptual groundwork for later digital services by proving that systematic data could improve romantic selection. It also demonstrated early public curiosity about algorithmic love.
The mid‑1990s marked the birth of true online dating when Match.com launched in 1995, offering users searchable profiles hosted on dial‑up servers. Simultaneously, services like eHarmony introduced psychometric questionnaires to refine compatibility scores. These platforms transformed courtship into a global, data‑rich activity, attracting millions and prompting scholars to study the social impact of digital romance. Their success proved that the internet could scale personal matchmaking beyond local circles.