An analysis of USA people who subscribed to a major online dating service between 2009 and 2010 showed that there were racial preferences. White people tended to state a preference for a white partner, but black people especially younger black men were less likely to state a same race preference. These stated preferences were followed up by checking who these subscribers actually contacted via the website, and the researchers found that whites more than blacks, women more than men,and older more than younger people showed a preference for a same race partner. These preferences also showed in the responses to online contact.

Does this show that racial prejudice is still powerful? Or that a preference for similarity is strong? These questions and others are up for discussion.