match.com

I am still trying to come to the terms with the internet spying on me and gathering all kinds of information on me and then using it to target me in advertising etc.

After my arrival in LA I was all of a sudden bombarded with adds from gay targeted dating services on myspace in the LA area.

It's a mild annoyance but I can live with it. Especially since it is vaguely amusing and I enjoy cringing.

match.com has the funniest (or creepiest) adds. At the top of the video window it says 'it's not okay to stare' or 'it's okay to stare.'The videos are usually of some half nude guy telling you not to stare at him and I'm assuming inviting you to join him rather than stare by joining match.com. They're rather dull.

The ones I am enjoying are the ones that has the words 'find hot single doctors' near you. Doctors is sometimes substituted with athletes or intellectuals etc. The video then features an appropriately dressed guy not saying much but just 'checking you over'.

For instance, the 'doctor' (same guy as the intellectual) is dressed in scrubs and is 'looking at you' while making notes on a chart. He looks impressed by what he sees. The video ends with him approaching the camera and then uses his stethoscope to listen to 'your' heartbeat or whatever.

The 'intellectual' is said doctor dressed in funky geeky looking gear (wearing frames of course) 'checking you out.' He then approaches the camera and writes some formula on the screen (or is it your face?). Satisfied with his formula he takes out a red apple and starts strolling away while looking back suggestively.

I know there is a huge market for online dating and friend finding. Most of us have been there. But what I'd like to know is who the target audience of these incredibly strange adds are. Any ideas?