From Furloughed to Flirting: Washington DC Singles Turn to Zoosk During Government Shutdown

The government shutdown has just entered its third week, leaving 800,000 employees out of the office without pay until the government reopens. It turns out that the furloughed folks have turned to online dating!

Zoosk’s user base of 40 million singles includes many DC-area daters. We decided to find out if there is any correlation between the government shutdown and dating…and it turns out that furloughed Washingtonians are flirting far more!

Comparing the week before the shutdown to the two weeks following, we discovered that the shutdown has certainly opened up the DC dating scene, specifically:

• More people looking to meet up: During the first and second week of the shutdown, the number of times DC-area Zoosk members have indicated a desire to meet up with another single through our Zoosk Carousel feature increased by 91.6% and 110%, respectively.

• More people are looking at profiles: During the second week of the shutdown, the number of profiles viewed by DC-area Zoosk members jumped by 45.6%.

• More instant messages are being sent: The second week of the shutdown showed a 48% increase in the number of instant messages sent between logged-in users in the DC area.

• More new active users are signing up: Zoosk saw new users in the DC area grow by 4.3% and 17.6% in the first and second week of the shutdown, respectively. These users have all verified their accounts and uploaded at least one photo.

In the wake of this frustrating situation, we’re glad that Zoosk’s mission of empowering people to lead a more fulfilling love life is bringing those out of work some happiness and, hopefully, some fantastic connections.

Happy Zoosking!

Congrats to Zooskers Jon and Debb from Texas!

Congrats to our Zoosk couple of the day Jon and Debb! This Texas couple met on Zoosk and are now happily planning a life together. Jon wrote us to share:

Debb lives in Angelton, TX. When I saw her profile I thought it said Arlington, a town near mine. I asked her out to lunch and said that if she didn’t want to I’d just go on down the road. She pointed out that we were far apart but expressed some interest. About a month later a meeting was set up near her home in Houston by Angie’s List at the Grand Prix race. I asked her if she’d like to meet at the race. She finally said yes. We emailed, text-ed, phoned and generally grew closer and closer as the suspense grew. We met, one day grew into three, had the best time either had ever had and now are hopelessly in love. Everything about the story is an accident. I was on my Google Homepage when Zoosk showed up and thought it was an app. I did put the money in voluntarily knowing what it was. Also I would not have gone to the Angie’s meeting if she wasn’t going to the race and it was a very important meeting giving me an opportunity for exclusive business. I had been planning to open a Houston office for several years and had laid the groundwork. My manufacturer certifications had been set up to expand to there from the Dallas office I currently have. We have started the process. Zoosk changed my life and my business. Thank you Zoosk.

We wish Jon and Debb all the best. To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.

Zoosk couple: Sophia and Christopher from France

Congrats to Sophia and Christopher from France on their Zoosk success story! They really have an incredibly romantic story that is impossible to sum up, so without further ado, just read it from her words:

Hi, I am Sophia and I met my fiance Christopher on Zoosk and fell in love.  (Sorry for my bad English but I am French).

Back in February 2012 he sent me a message saying that I was very pretty. At first I was not attracted to him. But I told him and I began to talk to him and gradually I saw that it was an interesting man and endearing. So I gave him my number and we talked every day for almost three months. But at that time I lived in the north of France and him in the South of France, so we felt a relationship was impossible due to the distance and we fell out of touch. For a while we had no contact, but in December of 2012 I began again to speak to him again and then we began to talk like before, on the phone and online.

At this time we still had not met in person but we found our infinity and our complicity. He was always in love with me but he would not tell me because he was afraid of being hurt. But I told him I was in the South and I finally wanted to see him because I had feelings for him.

And finally we met January 19, 2013 in Sète, it was love at first sight. We spent the day together and later that day he introduced me to his mother. He said to his mother that I was the wife of his life and future mother of his children and that he wants me and only me. He waited for me for almost one year because he wanted me and not another.

He asked me to live with him for our 1 year meeting in February 2013 it’s been 4 months since we live together. And we expect our first child will be born in March 2014. Thank you Zoosk!

We wish Sophia and Christopher all the very best! To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!

 

 

Congrats to Erin and Jim!

Congrats to Erin and her fiancé for meeting and falling in love on Zoosk! Here’s their story in her words:

My fiancé & I met on Zoosk back in Sept 2011 & our first date shortly after. Like with all dates you’re weary at first but from the moment I opened the door to him with a bouquet of beautiful flowers I just knew there was something about him. It wasn’t long after that we fell in love & in 8 months we were engaged on June 13, 2011. We have an incredibly healthy relationship & we strengthen one another bettering us individually & together as a couple. Both of our families mesh perfectly & they have voiced that they can see we are the type of love that will last through the ages. In 25 days (Oct.11, 2013) I will become Mrs. Griffin & I can’t wait. He is Prince Charming come to life. Fairy Tales do come true & with Zoosk’s help it came true for us 🙂

Keep your heart open,
Erin

Wow, amazing! We wish them all the very best. To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!

Congrats to Zoosk couple Ashlee and Ryan

Congrats to Ashlee and Ryan on their Zoosk success story! Here’s their story in her words:

“My name is Ashlee and my partners name is Ryan. From our very first message on Zoosk something between us just clicked! It started with text messages, then hour long phone calls and only a few days later we decided to meet. On our first date we decided to go see a movie. It felt right, no awkwardness, like we had known each other for years. From that first date we haven’t spent time apart. We now live together and share our lives as a family. Ryan has two little boys 4 & 2 who are just adorable! I love them like they are my own. Our whole relationship has been fast tracked but we wouldn’t have it any other way. We both knew we were meant to be together so why wait? Ryan asked me to marry him & I said YES! I am so thankful for Zoosk. I have found my soul mate, my best friend, the love of my life and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him. I love him with all my heart xx”

We wish them all the very best. To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!

Congrats to Chandra and Sam on their Zoosk engagement!

Congrats to Chandra and Sam on their adorable Zoosk success story:

Hi, we’re Chandra and Sam! We met on Zoosk around December of 2012. Now we’re happily engaged and planning our wedding for June 28, 2014!   I knew he was the one when he kept driving every weekend over 2 hours just to see me! He says he knew I was the one when he saw my smile!

To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!

Congrats to Star and Fonda on their Zoosk engagement!

Congrats to Zoosk couple Star and Fonda on their soon-to-be marriage! They met last October and are getting married soon, a year after they met. Here’s their story in Star’s words:

Hi, my name is Star. I joined Zoosk at the beginning of October 2012 with no intentions of getting into a relationship. However, that all changed when I met Soul Chef (Fonda) October 22, 2012. I don’t know what it was about that photo of her but it had captured my attention. She sent me a flirt which I gladly accepted, and we chatted for a few weeks before exchanging numbers. Hearing her voice only confirmed what I was feeling for her. We were both hesitant because I lived in NY and her in NC, but we decided to meet up in a neutral area where we both felt safe and comfortable. December we met up for a weekend and had a wonderful time. On February 16, 2013 Fonda proposed to me in Colonial Williamsburg Virginia. I moved to be with her In July and we are having a big wedding October 13, 2013 in Maryland. Thanks to Zoosk I have found the one who makes my life complete, the love of my life, my soul mate.

We’re so happy for Star and Fonda and wish them all the best. To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.

Congrats to Zoosk couple Laura and Lawrence!

Congrats to Lawrence and Laura on their Zoosk success story! Here’s their story in Laura’s words:

“My husband and I met on Zoosk in January 2010 and got married exactly 2 years later in January 2012. Almost 4 years later and my heart still skips a beat when I come home and see him. We are perfect for each other. He completes me in every way! I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. He’s my true love, my best friend. He’s my everything. Thanks Zoosk!”

Amazing! We wish them all the best! To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!

Congrats to Zoosk couple Carrie and James from Mississippi!

Congrats to Carrie and James for their wonderful Zoosk success story! The Mississippi couple reached out to share their romantic tale:

“I joined Zoosk after my divorce in December 2012. I went on several dates through the site but none really clicked until I met James. On February 9, 2013, I received a message from James in North Dakota, where he was working at the time. I thought this would be a fluke considering I lived in Mississippi, but surprisingly, we had so much in common and began to call and text non-stop. We got along so well and were so attracted to each other’s personalities and photos that we decided to meet during my spring break holiday in March (I’m a teacher).

I flew to North Dakota and upon seeing him for the first time in the airport, I knew this man was “The One” for me. The week was so special, almost like we were created just for each other. I left to come home to Mississippi, but James and I still talked and were more in love than ever. After his job ended in April, he moved to Mississippi to be with me. Two weeks after he arrived, he proposed to me and I said “yes.” We were married May 29th along a river stream in the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN. On September 3, we found out that we are expecting a baby girl in February 2014.

I cannot tell you how grateful we are that this site allowed us to meet each other. We have recommended it to all of our single friends, and we are walking proof that your soul mates exist.

Lucky in Love,
James and Carrie”

To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.

Congrats to Zoosk couple Ben and Maddie!

Congrats to Ben and Maddie for finding each other on Zoosk! What a cute story. Here’s how they met, in Ben’s words:

I was never a firm believer in finding love online, but hey anything can happen right? And Zoosk definitely proved to me it could be done. 3 months ago, I signed on, with my mind set that this was going to be the last because I was having no luck. Fortunately I found Maddie’s profile and messaged her. She wasn’t subscribed to the site to she gave me her number so we could talk more. We started texting and soon thereafter connected on Facebook. Every day she continued to sound too good to be true. Though meeting up was hard because there was some distance behind us, we continued to talk until we finally did meet and spent a day together. She was more beautiful than her pictures (not to say they were bad) and the whole time I couldn’t wrap my head around that I was finally with her. We’ve been together and happy for quite some time now and I owe it all to Zoosk! Of course our story is still being written and I cannot wait to spend more time with her.

We’re thrilled for them and wish them all the best. To submit a success story of your own, email your photo and story to success [at] zoosk [dot] com. By submitting your success story and image, you agree that your submission is governed by the Zoosk Success Story Terms, as well as Zoosk’s Terms of Use Agreement. Check out more Zoosk success stories here.  Happy Zoosking!