Online dating has just been revealed to be one of the most common ways to start a relationship. But new research reveals that the concept is still highly flawed.

An analysis of 400 studies into online dating shows that while it offers access to plenty of other singles, users can be overwhelmed and put off by the volume of choice, defeating the purpose.

The research, by Northwestern University and published in the journal Psychological Science in the Public Interest, found that the processes involved don't lend themselves to forming strong relationships.

The findings also indicated that the concept of an online profile is not entirely¹ useful and 'can result in the objectification of potential partners'.

Lead author Eli J Finkel explained: 'Online dating is a terrific addition for singles to meet. That said, there are two problems.'

First, poring over seemingly endless lists of profiles of people one does not know, as on Match.com, does not reveal much about them.

Second, it 'overloads² people and they end up shutting down,' he said.

He compared it to shopping at 'supermarkets of love' and said psychological research shows people presented with too many choices tend to make lazy and often poor decisions.

The study's authors also questioned the algorithms employed by sites such as eHarmony.com to match people based on their interests or personality - comparing it to having a real estate agent of love.

While the algorithm may reduce the number of potential partners from thousands to a few, they may be as incompatible³ as two people meeting at random⁴, Dr Finkel explained, adding the odds⁵ are no better than finding a relationship by strolling into any bar.

'There's no better way to figure out whether you're compatible with somebody than talking to them over a cup of coffee or a pint⁶ of beer,' Dr Finkel said.

据称，网上约会是开启恋情的一种最常见的方式，然而新研究揭示这一想法大错特错。

一项对400份网上约会资料的分析报告显示，尽管网络交友给许多单身者提供了机会，但用户们在大量选择面前会感到不知所措，甚至想逃离，违背了网络交友的本意。

美国西北大学发表在《公众利益心理学》期刊上的这一研究发现，网上约会并没有帮助人们建立牢固的关系。

研究结果还表明，网上个人简介也没那么有用，而且“可能造成对潜在伴侣的物化”。

该研究报告的主要作者伊莱?J?芬克尔解释说：“网上约会是单身男女相遇的一个极佳的辅助渠道。尽管如此，还是存在两个问题。”

他说，首先，像Match.com那样的网站上陌生人的个人简介似乎多得数不清，但就算认真看了这些简介，对这些人依然知之甚少。

其次，这么多个人资料“让人们的大脑超载，最后只好罢工”。

他将这种情况比喻成在“爱情超市”购物。芬克尔说，心理研究显示，当人们面临太多选择时，往往会随便做决定，做出的决定则通常很糟糕。

研究的作者们还质疑eHarmony.com等网站提出的一种算法，即根据人们的兴趣或个性做出配对，研究者将其比喻成爱情的房产中介。

芬克尔博士解释说，这种算法也许能把成千上万个潜在对象减少到几个，但是这几个人也有可能像两个偶遇的人一样互不相容。芬克尔补充说，靠这一算法找对象的机会并不比随意走进一家酒吧去找对象的机会更大。

芬克尔博士说：“要想知道你和一个人是否处得来，没有比一起喝杯咖啡或啤酒，当面交谈更好的方法。”