Dating Social Networks and Human Behavior is the title of the ebook I have begun writing. Those who know me well and my students are fully aware that I have always had a particular weakness for these types of networks.

Six years ago, in 2006, while working for an international student social network in Germany, we used dating networks to acquire users. Why? Because users are completely open to receiving messages, and it was much easier to reach them through “flirting.”

For six months, my team and I were heavy users of dating networks; our modus operandi was to register with different types of profiles, suggestive photos, and bold descriptions.

We would start contacting users, and once we had established a good rapport, we would invite them to our networks (where we had duplicate profiles). For a few days, we would introduce them to our shackers; they would become loyal to the platform and establish relationships with other people on the network. I do not feel morally proud of this way of acting, but we were neither the first nor the only ones—it is no excuse, we know.

From 2007 onwards, I distanced myself from these networks and remained “offline,” but in the following years, I collaborated externally with them through the multinationals where I worked, particularly within the leisure market.

I continued to analyze the daily behavior I observed on global and professional social networks from a “sociological” perspective… but dating networks continued to catch my attention. In my classes, students would always ask me… why don’t you explain this dating network thing…

Well, firstly because of my professional experience with them, and secondly because, contrary to what it may seem at first glance, they are excellent places to expand projects. I refer to the facts (I will present some cases in detail later and within the ebook).

Personally, I had never considered joining dating networks; in fact, I believe it was only in 2005 that I had two interesting conversations beyond a professional level. To this day, I remain in contact with both individuals, and we have ended up having professional dealings. I believe Jose will recognize this perfectly. THANK YOU, friend!

I am surrounded by wonderful people, many of whom are gay, and they have helped me understand gay dating and geolocation networks: Grindr, Cosmocircle, GayRomeo, Gay.com, Bakala… We have conducted real tests with them; I have seen how one of my best friends met his partner, with whom he is very happy… but I have also seen the dark side of these networks.

After these years of analysis, I have seen that we all have public, private, and secret lives… though not always detailed. A few months ago, I decided to start a study on dating networks based on the behavior of the people involved in them—their users. Without them, the platforms would be as if we woke up one day and no one was walking down Madrid’s Gran Vía or Barcelona’s Ramblas; it would be nonsensical…

Today, in 2012, I have the first conclusions of my study. Here are several curiosities, the titles of the e-chapters:

• Networks according to behaviors and life stages (
• Ways to “approach” users
• Types of user profiles
  • Psychological profiles
    • The incorrigibles: extravagant propositions
  • Online profiles (images, descriptions…)
• Most common conversations

For this initial start of the ebook, I must thank four users, especially Fishermann—as I have named him, with his clear consent… he was one of the first users I corresponded with and someone I can say has been a most interesting cyber-encounter. He has helped me, and above all, THANK YOU for being such a good subject of study.

Poliboy, a police officer from Catalonia who has provided me with highly interesting examples of strange situations on the network that, thanks to his help, have been resolved in a very interesting way.

Ducatiman, the first user I wrote to, answered all questions perfectly and, best of all, made me laugh a lot when I asked him about the number of dates; it turned out it was his first week on Badoo.

Gymmy, one of the ways of approaching someone, which even knowing it is a copy-paste, is funny. Very bad, you must be happy, right?
I just called the parish to say I’m not going to join as a monk because of you!!!
I’ve visited your profile and I’m sorry, but I couldn’t remain indifferent… so let’s see if we can meet and chat and you can return me to my future parish life, hehehe.
A big kiss!!!

Yayapower, a user who entered the chat in the most curious way I have seen: “You don’t know how thrilled my grandmother would be to have you over for lunch on Sunday.”

Well, thanks to everyone, but one takes the cake. Next week we begin with the first chapters; I hope you enjoy the reading.