We polled nearly 500,000 singles in conjunction with a recent academic survey we sponsored. The singles were active members of an online dating site either at the time of polling or at one point in the recent past (up to 1 month). We asked for their answers to 100 different questions pertaining to online dating. The very first question was: “What is your favorite online dating site, and why?” There are tons of people out there who are single and looking, but your options will be much skimpier if you use a crummy, unpopular dating site frequented mostly by balding 40-somethings looking for teenage girls to e-stalk. Here are 10 top rated online dating sites, as ranked by over 500,000 singles, where there’s a better chance that you’ll find your soul mate or at least a good time.

1. Match.com® Official Site Match.com’s advantage lies in the fact that it is ginormous. 250,000 people supposedly find a partner through the site each year. I don’t know if that impressive statistic is the real deal, but regardless, you’re dealing with some pretty big numbers on Match.com, so there’s a decent probability that you’ll find someone who’s a good fit in your local area. And their advanced keyword search feature makes it easier for you to meet singles with similar interests. With their recent acquisition of Yahoo Personals, the member database of Match.com is arguably the biggest online dating site out there. Match.com also offers a 3 day free trial: Try Match.com – 3 Days Free! 2. Adult Friend Finder Adult Friend Finder is one of the top rated online dating sites for singles that are going for something a little skeezier than the typical dinner cruise or walk in the park. This website targets feisty singles (and couples!) who want to hit it and quit it. So, if you’re looking for everlasting love and romantic picnics, you might want to look for “friends” elsewhere.

3. eharmony.com Eharmony is one of the forefathers of the online dating world. With millions of registered members and a spiffy compatibility system, users can choose from a crowded pool of potential matches with similar interests and motivations. The only downside of Eharmony is the fact that it costs around $10 to $20 more per month than other top rated online dating sites. 4. Chemistry.com One of the top 3 “high end” online dating sites, Chemistry.com is geared more towards people looking for a long term lasting relationship. Chemistry is owned by Match.com and features a good crossover of Match.com members who are looking for a little more than casual dating. Chemistry has a patented matchmaking system that is very indepth. They match people based on chemistry as defined by their research studies into human compatibility. 5. Lavalife.com With approximately 15 million members, Lava Life is one of the largest dating sites on the web. Paid members get access to some cool features, like video chat and LaveLife mobile. The profile categories offered at Lava Life include Dating, Relationships, and Intimate Encounters, so you can weed out prospects based on commitment preferences.

6. www.Zoosk.com Zoosk basically turns all of Facebook, Myspace and other social networks into one big online dating frenzy. They claim to have over 8 million people who use their service on a monthly basis, and over 100,000 new members join on a daily basis. Zoosk is an online dating site that many members of Facebook and Myspace have joined to meet and date. This is a pretty good idea, as you can get a real glimpse into someone by just looking at their Facebook or Myspace profile page. 7. Singlesnet.com Singlesnet.com is another free online dating service. Match.com owns singlesnet, so this is a great way to dip your big toe into the online dating waters if you have never been a member. Singlesnet has been around for many years and is one of the biggest free online dating sites out there. 8. JDate.com Jdate is the premier online dating site for Jewish singles. They have a patented matchmaking system that is responsible for hundreds of thousands of successful relationships. Because they are so popular, Jdate users benefit from the huge user database. Jdate is also open to non Jews as well. If you are looking to only date a Jewish person, then Jdate is the site you want to join. 9. Perfectmatch.com Widely considered as the “eHarmony alternative”. PerfectMatch is a high end online dating site that caters to singles looking for long lasting quality relationships. PerfectMatch offers various online codes that allow for some pretty big discounts on their monthly membership. They have also been featured in many daytime t.v. shows as well as major motion pictures. PerfectMatch also offers a 3 day free trial . 10. Plenty of Fish The first successful free dating site, Plenty of Fish is known for its hopping forums, Who’s Seen Me button, and entertaining questionnaires. Several users have complained that the site attracts too many attention-hungry weirdos, but I guess that’s the price you inevitably pay for free dating websites! Am I missing anything? Let me know if there’s a top rated online dating site that I forgot to mention. Niche specific site suggestions are welcome.