The visitors function is helpful in showing initial interest on the part of both parties. Without it, the OKC Web site is a lot less useful to free members. Many will just leave, but OKC is counting on a number of them becoming paid members.
With free members leaving, there will be more inactive profiles on the site, in addition to the many bogus profiles. So, it will be harder for paid members to find real, active profiles and that’s frustrating. And with less free members, there will be less word of mouth advertising, and a decrease in new people joining OKC.
I’m sure OKC had done extensive research, focus groups, etc. and believes the profit from free members converting to paid will offset any losses. But, as an experienced user of the site, it’s not a bet I would make. And once people leave, it will be hard to get them back, even if OKC returns the visitors function to free members.
