The Atlasphere Mentioned in Reader's Digest

Page 23 of the February 2006 issue of Reader's Digest had this blurb in its section "Only in America" called "Cupid Narrows His Aim Online":

"Happily, Cupid hasn't quit the Web. He's just gotten choosier. Now, what's hot are niche sites that link the like-minded: FarmersOnly.com, DatingforSmokers.com, even TheAtlasphere.com (for single fans of writer Ayn Rand). ... Still, looking for love this way doesn't ensure happiness. "It lures you into believing that you can customize a partner the way you can a car," says Jillian Straus, author of the new Unhooked Generation: The Truth About Why We're Still Single. Online or off, it takes more than one shared interest for a couple to click."

I found this interesting enough to share here. Did anyone else catch this?

Post 1

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 2:42pm

I'd bet that Joshua Zader got a nice bump in traffic after that!

Post 2

Wednesday, April 12, 2006 - 11:24pm

Let's hope so!

Thursday, April 13, 2006 - 11:31am

Atlantic Monthly mentioned the Atlasphere a few months ago as well - March, I think. It was in a sidebar to the cover story about the emerging science of love.

Peter

Post 4

Friday, April 14, 2006 - 2:01pm

Guys,

We did indeed get a nice bump in traffic (as well as paid subscriptions) after the article in Reader's Digest.

I didn't notice anything in particular from the Atlantic Monthly, but I'm sure it helped.

Overall, the word-of-mouth factor has been very strong lately. I'm continually amazed by how many people find our site by typing "atlasphere" or "ayn rand dating" into a search engine -- which means they'd heard something about us before, somewhere.

In general, the Atlasphere has been doing well enough lately that I've turned off all our Google AdWords pay-per-click advertisements, and the signups and subscriptions are still rolling in at a nice clip. It's been very gratifying. :-)

Thanks for your interest.

Joshua

Post 5

Friday, April 14, 2006 - 9:58pm

> I'm continually amazed by how many people find our site by typing "atlasphere" or "ayn rand dating" into a search engine

Joshua, how can you tell that is how they found you? Are these psychic powers of yours responsible for your success with the Atlasphere in other ways and if so can I hire you to help me place a bet on the NBA Finals this year?

Post 6

Friday, April 14, 2006 - 10:37pm

Joshua, how can you tell that is how they found you? Are these psychic powers of yours responsible for your success with the Atlasphere in other ways and if so can I hire you to help me place a bet on the NBA Finals this year?

LOL! No, Phil. There is software you can upload to your site that keeps track of clicks and where they come from. Joshua probably knows via a method like that.
Unfortunately, key words and phrases aren't a predictive force!

Post 7

Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:16am

On the one hand, cool! On the other hand, this is not going to allow Joshua to help me make a lot of money. :-[

Post 8

Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 10:19am

On the third hand, I've somehow just managed to post my reply to Teresa before she made her post, if you look at the time stamp.

This time-travel thing ought to be able to be manipulated to make trillions of dollars somehow. Except if I get caught in a loop and this post repeats over and over. Except if I get caught in a loop and this post repeats over and over. Except if I get caught in a loop and this post repeats over and over.

Post 9

Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 5:05pm

This is great news! Congratulations, Joshua. I'd love to see everyone find their match. Keep up the good work.

Kat

Post 10

Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 8:25pm

First of all, Phil -- Teresa posted on Friday night, and you, Saturday morning; so don't be going QM on us anytime soon.

Secondly, on a related theme (to the thread), it was nice to hear -- on the radio, on my way home today -- a radio talk show (KTLK) where a caller mentioned Ayn Rand and Atlas Shrugged. Methinks a sleeping giant is being prodded here.

Ed

Post 11

Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 9:19pm