"so, where did you guys meet?"

new couples often face this question from eager friends who are keen to hear about the beginnings of their love story.

increasingly, the answer is "on the internet". online dating is a booming industry, worth an estimated £2.5 billion (25 billion yuan) across the world.

so what is it that is making so many of us turn to our computers to find love?

in the past, love may have blossomed in the workplace or in the pub and some brave individuals may even have agreed to be set up on a blind date. but nowadays, busy lifestyles and the popularity of online social networking have changed our attitudes towards romance.

internet dating websites have become popular as a way of searching for the perfect mate. people who use the sites can search profiles of hundreds of single people, and with just a few clicks can see instantly whether someone is attractive or not.