Dating Website Founder Tested His Service on Himself and Lost His Girlfriend (3 photos)

The internet is full of irony, but this story breaks all records for the cynicism of fate.





Gary Kremen, founder of the legendary dating site Match.com, launched in 1995, became a victim of his own invention. To recruit the first users and test the platform, he asked everyone around him to register, including friends, co-workers, and his girlfriend. She obediently created a profile, started chatting, and soon found another man. The woman left Kremen for a new acquaintance from his own site.



Gary himself later recalled this in an interview with bitter humor. He said it was painful, but it proved that Match.com was working 100%. This is the best review of the dating service, coming from its creator. The review was negative, but convincing. While Kremen was struggling for traffic and investors, his girlfriend found love in a couple of clicks. The site took off, becoming one of the pioneers of online dating, and Gary was left with nothing and a great party story.





At the time, online dating was considered out of the ordinary. Kremen actively promoted the idea, asking why people met in bars instead of online. His girlfriend apparently decided to test the theory. A few years later, Match.com was acquired for billions, and the founder's personal life became an industry joke. Kremen later married in 2008 and had children, but the story remains an enduring meme.

In the tech world, even creators aren't immune to beta testing. And by the way, yes, just 10 years ago, finding your soulmate on a dating site was quite realistic, and you could also find friends there.