OkCupid Data Finds Women Who Make First Move Online Have Better Results

— -- For women who use online dating services, mustering up the courage to send the first message can be daunting -- but it may be worth it.

The popular dating app OkCupid says an analysis of its user data found that women on the site who initiate conversations online are 2 ½ times more likely to get a response than are men who make the first move. It also says that the replies those women receive will be from more what it describes as more desirable men.

The unscientific study, which may only apply to OkCupid, also found that women-initiated contact led to more conversations.

“When women are proactive there’s a big win,” Jimena Almendares, OkCupid Chief Product Officer, told ABC News. “This is data that is showing that if they actually speak up, they have so much to gain.”

The findings go against the unspoken expectation that men should make the first move.