Matchmaker, Matchmaker

When you’re looking for a relationship its best to leave no stone unturned. You can go out, be introduced by friends or join an online dating site that rolls all dating methods into one.

A new service called Engage.com hopes to harness the power of social networking and use it to help people find love. The process goes a little something like this: you’re friends with Jane. Jane knows four single guys, and suggests you’d be a good match with one of them. Off you go on a date! You can also request an introduction to a friend or simply see who your friends know. The more friends you invite to the site, the larger your potential network becomes. You can also have friends “vouch” for you, so that potential dates can see that you’re not creepy or crazy.

The service is currently free but, like most other dating sites, will start charging eventually. Do you think being introduced by friends online is better than an in-person introduction? Is this a better alternative to the other online dating sites out there? [Silicon Valley Business Journal]