It's never too late to fall in love, and thanks to online dating, it's now easier than ever to find your match. However, if you're newly single, navigating the confusing waters of online dating can be quite a challenge. It can be especially difficult if you had been married or in a long term relationship. Dating requires a skill set that you may not have had reason to use in a long time, and jumping back into the pool can feel intimidating.

The good news? You're not alone. Keep reading to find out more about how the dating landscape has changed over the last few years, as well as a few tips on what you can do to make your online dating experience a success story.

Senior Dating Is on the Rise

According to INSPIRED Senior Living, internet dating among adults age 50 and over has seen a 40% increase, and the over-50s demographic is the fastest growing group of internet dating site users. The internet is now the second most common place for seniors to connect, surpassed only by meeting through a mutual friend.

Why Try Online Dating?

When you were dating in your 20's or 30's, you likely met your former partners through a mutual hobby, experience or during the course of your schooling. As an unattached person, you had an abundance of opportunities to mingle with similarly unattached people.

Today, the pool of available men and women your age is considerably smaller. Your younger self could simply participate in group hobbies or clubs, and that was enough to meet other singles with similar interests and life goals. Pursuing your hobbies and interests with the goal of meeting new people is still a legitimate way to find a potential partner, but you're far more likely to find yourself in a sea of married people.

Online dating gives you the opportunity to connect with single seniors who, like you, are looking for friendship and romance. You have the chance to get to know someone who you may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet.

Making Your Online Dating Experience a Success

Creating your profile is a great place to start on your journey of online dating, but simply posting a photo with a blurb about yourself isn't enough to guarantee success. In addition to these 10 tips for online dating, here are three tips specifically for senior daters.

Let Go of the Taboos

Many seniors, especially those who find themselves surrounded by friends that have been married for the past few decades, find it difficult to think about being someone's "boyfriend" or "girlfriend." However, it's never too late to have fun, reinvent yourself and find happiness with another person. Let go of the mindset that tells you that there is something wrong or inferior about having a young relationship later in life.

Watch Out for Scammers

Scam artists seem to be everywhere nowadays, and while everyone is at risk, seniors are a major target. Protect yourself by only joining dating sites that carefully screens its members, provides around the clock moderation and automatically removes fake profiles. To find out how Love2Date Singles protects its members from online scammers, check out our FAQs.

Sensor Yourself

Perhaps the primary area in which seniors sabotage their own happiness is by providing too much information upfront. Your dating profile should allow potential matches to get a glimpse of your personality, relationship goals and interests. It's not the place to rehash an ugly divorce, the death of your spouse or your financial situation. While these topics may inevitably come up as you and a potential partner get to know one another, for now, you need to keep your profile positive and upbeat.

Are you a senior who is interested in finding friendship or romance? At Love2Date Singles, we have a lifestyle site just for you. Our Over 50s lifestyle site is designed to make it easier to connect with other mature singles who are looking for love and romance. Rather than wading through the profiles of young adults in their 20's and 30's who are just getting started in life, you can meet singles who have similar life experiences and relationship goals. Our website is simple to use and offers helpful pointers along the way, and our matching system automatically recommends great potential matches for you. Signing up is free and simple, so create your profile today to get started.