“Fifty Shades of Grey” Is Good Business For Sugar Daddy Dating Websites

Controversial best-selling novel Fifty Shades of Grey might stimulate the gag-reflexes of feminists everywhere, but the book is actually pretty good for business. What business, you ask? Dating websites that shack desperate shallow ladies up with arrogant and bored sugar daddies.

One dating website has specialized in the Anastasia Steele/Christian Grey arrangement long before the Twilight–inspired fan-fic ever hit bookshelves. According to that particular service, business is booming ever since Fifty Shades hit bookshelves and the nightstands of lonely housewives everywhere. The website, SeekingArrangement.com, sets up young women with “sugar daddies” in what they call a “mutually beneficial relationship,” and say more and more women are seeking their services since Fifty Shades was released, reports NY Daily.

“People who have read ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ are often surprised to find out that a website already exists for those seeking a ‘Fifty Shades’ inspired arrangement,” says Brandon Wade, founder and CEO of the service. The site specializes in matching “Modern Daddies” with “Goal Seeking Sugar Babies,” and more and more women are looking for men who want to dominate their lives, sexually and otherwise.

“Sugar Babies are students, actresses, models or girls and guys next door,” the site reads. “You know you deserve to date someone who will pamper you, empower you, and help you mentally, emotionally and financially.”

The numbers: Wade claims that out of 1.6 million profiles on his site, the term “Fifty Shades” is mentioned on them 28,382 times. Christian Grey is brought up 23,102 times, and Anastasia Steel is mentioned 18,281 times. He also says that 186,000 female members are actively seeking a “Christian Grey” type arrangement, according to Business Insider.

“All of these keywords were popping up when my staff was approving profiles, so we started wondering what this Fifty Shades of Grey thing was all about,” Wade said. “I think when you start reading the book, there are many aspects we find similar to what people on our sites are looking for.

Other businesses making a killing off Fifty Shades include: Babeland (among other sex toy shops), pricey Pacific northwest hotels, Brooks Brothers, Audi, Makers and sellers of rope (yup), Twinings Tea, Chapstick, and has boosted attendance at WSU Vancouver (where Anastasia attends in the novel). Click here for the full list.

I think I’m going to reserve commentary on this one.