He (and users) would probably be better off if he had just sold the site.
Admittedly, it seems to have gone downhill and must have lost some value already. However, I can't see it being worth much at all if it loses its current user base (starting tomorrow?) to replace it with a new one where he will go head-to-head in the very crowded dating site universe against established incumbents like Match.Com. Also, keeping the same name or something like it isn't going to help attract new users uninterested in SB/SD and who know about its soon-to-be-past incarnation and will probably be a strong negative for women who aren't interested in becoming SBs.
Well this may be the final defense against FOSTA/SETSA and the deluge of bad info in the interwebz about arrangements.
Brandon Wade dropped this YouTube video a few days ago and then sent an email to (presumably) all members as well.
The short version: - He's getting married, and says they are both waiving their "right" to divorce (is that even a thing?) - On Feb 14, the Seeking site is dropping all "arrangement" context and will go forward as - The "largest dating platform for success-minded individuals who want to Just Date Up™."
I have no idea WTF any of this means. But I suspect we will see a new TOS, and new formats for profiles as well.
My membership rebills on 2/17. I shall have to see what happens before I allow that rebill.
I wonder if the sister site, What's Your Price will go through similar (or bigger) changes?
He (and users) would probably be better off if he had just sold the site.
Admittedly, it seems to have gone downhill and must have lost some value already. However, I can't see it being worth much at all if it loses its current user base (starting tomorrow?) to replace it with a new one where he will go head-to-head in the very crowded dating site universe against established incumbents like Match.Com. Also, keeping the same name or something like it isn't going to help attract new users uninterested in SB/SD and who know about its soon-to-be-past incarnation and will probably be a strong negative for women who aren't interested in becoming SBs.
I pulled up my account this morning and did not see anything substantially different in my Search or Interests page, besides a new stylized "S" logo. You will have to log out to see the new home/landing page and it's completely rebranded. (Link attached)
The new theme: Dating Up. It goes on to talk about Attractive members and Successful members, but drops all language about sugar and arrangements.
Here's text at the bottom of the page:
"Why Date Up?
Seeking members are sophisticated individuals who wish to date attractive and successful people in a way that goes beyond typical social dating traditions and trends.
No one person has the same needs or interests, but the one thing shared on Seeking is the aspiration to discover something better, allowing members to develop connections and share memorable experiences together."
Is that it? Is this all just a new paint job to keep LE and the press happy? Somehow I doubt it... but we will need to wait and see what happens.
If he is trying to convince his new wife-to-be that he is out of the "compensated dating" business (a Japanese term that I learned a few years) she will either see straight through it or she has a room temperature IQ.
If LE cares, at least at the federal level where these kinds of online activities are prosecuted, they will look through any new paint job to the entirety of the operation over time. Disclaimers and brand names are are worthless as a defense, it is actions that count. The ones I know at a supervisory federal level care a lot about underage, forced immigrant prostitution, and other serious trafficking. I am not even sure if consenting adult P4P is a federal crime (it is a state crime of course) unless it involves crossing state lines (itself regarded as a relic unless it can be combined with other things). If he let underage girls advertise as SBs knowingly or unknowingly without due diligence, he is in trouble if they go after him.
If he thinks this is a good new business model, then my guess is that he is the one with room temperature IQ. My guess is that he will drive away current business from both men and women, won't be able to compete with the major dating sites, and deter new business once they know the history of the site, especially with women uninterested in the SB/SD world.
Let's see what he does with the site to muddy the waters.
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
