Zoosk, the world’s first and largest social dating community, today announced it is offering members two days of free communications – on February 13 and February 14 – in celebration of Valentine’s Day. The company also announced that it has grown to more than 16.5 million users, making Zoosk one of the largest online dating networks of any kind.

“Millions of our users are looking to connect with potential dates for Valentine’s Day, and we’re thrilled to offer the entire Zoosk community the enhanced connection privileges of our subscription at no cost to them on February 13 and 14,” said Alex Mehr, co-CEO of Zoosk. “Finding a Valentine’s date can be as simple as logging onto your social network, checking your Zoosk Date Card, and connecting with someone you find appealing.”

All Zoosk users will automatically have the ability to connect with others for free on February 13 and 14. Any new users who join Zoosk on either date are also able to immediately take advantage of the free communications offer.

The growth of social networks like Facebook as well as positive word-of-mouth about Zoosk is driving rapid growth of the company’s user-base. In January 2009, nearly 100,000 new users joined Zoosk each day. New user growth was driven largely among the Facebook community. In addition, 20% of new users joined Zoosk through its website at www.zoosk.com.

Users can join Zoosk by adding the Zoosk application through Facebook, Bebo, Hi5, Friendster, and MySpace, or by signing up at Zoosk.com. Zoosk is the only social dating community that allows users to seamlessly connect across multiple networks, meaning a Facebook user can interact with a MySpace or Hi5 user, for example.

Since its launch in December 2007, Zoosk has made more than 228 million connections for its users. Users can send messages to others through a wink or a flirt. When sending a flirt, users have the ability to attach a virtual gift, such as a bouquet of flowers or a rose. Virtual gifts are available for purchase with “Zoosk coins,” which users can buy through the Zoosk online store. Zoosk’s sales of virtual gift have tripled in the past month.

Zoosk has also experienced growth in the number of users upgrading from Zoosk’s free membership to a subscription. Subscribers have the unlimited ability to respond to any flirt, can be contacted by any Zoosk member, and can see who has viewed their Date Card. Upgrading members also get premium placement throughout the network, which results in more visibility and ultimately more dates. Subscriptions are available for $24.95 per month, with 3-month and 6-month memberships available at discounted rates.

“We receive stories everyday from users who share with us how Zoosk has made it easy for them to meet and connect with someone special for a date or long-lasting relationship,” said Mehr. “Many never expected they would find a love interest through a social network, but Zoosk’s unique ability to connect people within the context of their online social networks makes it not only possible, but fun, to meet others in that way.”

Zoosk won the 2009 People’s Choice Open Web Award in the “Dating and Romance” category.