Internet is the biggest source of Information on earth; university libraries have no comparison with Internet or the World Wide Web. There are approximately twenty four million plus pages on the Internet with mind boggling information.

Like in a library, information has to be searched and looked into. Cataloguing and storing as per relevancy are the most important process in information management in a library and so it is on Internet too. However, on the Internet it is on phenomenal stage. 

Likewise, a dating service is a source of information and the information has to be searched in an organized and efficient manner. There are search options on the dating site that you utilize to make an effective and fast search for results that deliver the information you are looking for.

In internet dating site, you look for finding information about a person who matches with your ideal for life partner or sex playmate. And for this there are two major options.

Simple Basic Search: Fast, easy and broad. In the basic search option, you have to fill in few criteria. Here you have to select you gender and the gender of the person you are seeking along age range and territory.

Ex. Man seeking woman or a Woman seeking man. Age between 18 to 80 years. Living in Sydney Australia. 

In basic search, some online dating sites also offer the results on basis of joining date and with photograph or both. The basic search is limited to these search options only and the results delivered are very broad except for the territory. The basic search option is on every major page and is easily accessible.             

In advance search the number of criteria expand to fill up nearly the whole page. This search option is on a special page tagged as advance search. The page has a link on the index or home page for easy accessibility. Advance search is for narrowing down the criteria to more specific personal ad for a much closely matching profile. This is very useful for matchmaking for long term relationship and finding a life partner. Many matrimonial sites rely heavily on this option for delivering matches to prospective brides and grooms.        

However, in many countries especially in America, UK, Australia and some European countries dating precedes marriage for the selection of a life partner or soul mate. Hence, in these countries, the concept of matrimonial site is practically non-existent and in place, you have dating or matchmaking services.

In advance search you have to fill in a form in which you specify a lot of details of personality type you are seeking. This is necessary if you have very specific choice for relationship. The results are focused to few personals ads that have a high chance of matching your personality or your ideal. The option of advance search is usually available to only registered or paid members whereas the basic search option is available to all visitors or guest members to the dating site on Net.