7 Great Online Alternatives to Online Dating Sites ...

1. Meetup.com

Try it at meetup.com
I personally love Meetup for finding like-minded people. Whether you're looking for true love or just new friends with a common interest, you're likely to find it through this site. It's one of the easiest-to-use alternatives to online dating sites. It's designed to help you find groups and people in your area who share interests or hobbies.

2. WAYN.com

Try it at wayn.com
If you travel often, WAYN might be more your speed. Think of it as Facebook for travelers. Explore the community and chat with others to learn more about different areas or exchange travel stories. It's a great way to meet people from all over the world or you might just find an adventurous date. It's a fun way to indulge your travel interests and meet that perfect someone.

3. Online RPGs

Find possible games at whatmmorpg.com
It may sound strange, but many online role playing games are far more than just a game; many consider them communities. While it doesn't have to be anything as major as World of Warcraft, explore various online games complete with chat, message boards and other social features. You'd be surprised at how many happy couples met while gaming. You can even use your game console versus your PC depending on the games you like best.

4. Facebook.com

Try it at facebook.com
You knew it had to be here. Facebook has its flaws but it's a powerful tool for meeting new people. You don't have to rely upon your friends to meet someone. Instead, consider joining groups related to your interests or even try singles groups. You'll meet a new set of people which could lead to finding that one person. Even if you don't meet anyone, at least you'll still be having fun.

5. Forums or Discussion Boards

One of the best ways to find your special someone is to start with your interests and go from there. Join and participate in forum or discussion board (think Reddit) sites. You'll quickly find yourself talking to people who enjoy the same things you do. Search for forums by using the name of interest plus the word forum. Once you meet people you're interested in, consider moving the conversation to a more personal site such as Facebook to get to know each other better.

6. Tagged.com

Try it at tagged.com
Tagged is designed specifically to help you find people who share your interests. Think of it as Facebook for meeting new people instead of existing friends and family. You use tags to find potential new friends or dates, hence the name. The site boasts over 100 million users. While it's not listed as a dating site, many are using for just that purpose.

7. Google+

Try it at plus.google.com
Google+ is well known for helping you network with new people. What better way to find someone with a common interest to date? The key to success with this one is joining the various groups. They don't have to be about dating either. Join any groups you might find interesting. Be active and you'll find someone before you know it.

If you're tired of trying to figure out how to word your online dating profile to get the most hits, try some of these sites. Since their main purpose isn't dating, you'll actually get to have fun, get to know new people and even find potential mates. What other online options have you used to find love?