Match.ca

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Match.ca is one of the first and most recommended online dating sites with more than 20 years of experience in connecting people and millions of successful love stories. Match.ca has one of the largest user bases in Canada, with new members constantly signing-up. This site is focused on connecting like-minded Canadians who are living or working nearby, have similar interests, romantic beliefs and are looking for long-lasting relationships

It takes some quality time to create your profile, and completing the personality test, before browsing through the potential dates, and this is a pretty clear sign that the people using this platform are serious in finding the special one and building serious commitment. Unlike other dating sites, you have to sign up to preview the website. Match.ca has a unique algorithm for matching, using the information from the personality test and member’s activity on the website. This information is helping it to suggest the most suitable matches

Match.ca is offering extensive search tools, that will help in narrowing down the number of matches, so you won’t feel overwhelmed and enjoy the dating experience.

Number of active members: 210k users per month
First founded 1995
Average members’ age: Over 30
Gender Proportion (Men to Women): 49% – 51%
Most Popular Subscription: 6 months

Match.ca has a vast dating pool, and the average age of the users on the platform are from 25 to 55, with 55+ category rapidly growing. Match.ca gives the opportunity to find someone for a long-term relationship or just a compatible date who is also eager to enjoy the favored pursuits in Canada whether it long hikes, a great hockey game or some home brand of craft beer. You’ll get plenty of suggested matches in your email box and Match.ca lists the number of interests you have in common. This can be useful or you make take the view that interests don’t matter so much as the crux is whether your personality traits with a prospective date click.

Prices
Match.ca has a slightly higher price than some other dating sites, however, someone has to pay for their vast advertising costs! The pay-off, however, it that you are subscribing to a well populated membership base and scammers are usually deterred by a subscription based site.

Since signing up on the platform is free, these members have the ability to edit their profiles, add new photos, use all searching tools and send winks. Paid members can use the messaging features, filters for privacy, ranking higher in the search results etc. These features can be accessed by purchasing 3-month, 6-month or 12-month subscription.

Keep in mind that, when you purchase one of the memberships, it will be renewed automatically at the expiration of the subscription. To cancel it, go to ‘My Account Settings’. My suggestion is to cancel straight away as it’s so easy to forget to do it. If you feel you would like to stay on the site for a long time don’t worry match will gently remind you that you haven’t activated auto-renew. Actually let me change gently to strongly!

Subscription Plan
3 Months $12.99 / Month $38.97 (Total)
6 Months $9.99 / Month $59.94 (Total)
12 Months $7.99 / Month $95.88

Match.ca has an array of features and most come under the premium label so aren’t available to free subscribers. The site has incorporated an ever-learning algorithm into its system, that learns from every action you have made on the site such as looking at someone, winking and messaging. It adjusts matches and can override profile preferences to provide the best selections. Actions speak louder than words applies here! The site doesn’t delve quite so deeply with its matching algorithm as eHarmony, but it does mean that it’s not so time-consuming to sign up. Match doesn’t prevent searches that might back-up the old adage that ‘opposites attract.’ The site gives you that flexibility to contact someone that Mr. Algorithm, in all its wisdom, doesn’t recommend.

Daily Selected Matches
Match.ca is providing a daily list of handpicked matches to its users. This list is a combination of profiles that are similar to the ones you have shown interest or had some kind of interaction. You can click “yes” or “no” on every match from the list, and if you choose yes, then the site will encourage you to send a message, although this is optional, and you can send a message whenever you like. Also, you can rate the matches that are suggested. By giving this feedback, you are helping Match.ca to improve their algorithm and provide more compatible matches.

Connections Section
Another section on Match.ca is the Connections section. This section is organized by who viewed your profile, likes, winks, who has favorited you, members, you have favorited and all interactions with other members on the site. Since match.ca is providing the option for phone calls, you can have a phonebook in this section, where you can keep your MatchPhone contacts.

Advanced Searching options
Match has an extensive Search option, with various filters for refining your searching. The most basic search on Match.ca is by gender, age and location. Then you can improve your search results by the preferences on your profile like physical appearance, interests, education, specific keywords, usernames, whether the member wants to have children, etc, and even further refined results like is the member online now, available for chatting, when were they last online, new members and many other filters. It’s very intuitive, and if you want to date a different ethnicity within a specific distance who likes baseball, then it’s a user-friendly process.

Mutual Match Search
In addition to all these filter options, there is the option for mutual match search and reverse match, where mutual search gives you profiles of members that match to your preferences added on your profile. While reverse lookup gives you matches based on the descriptions you have provided for yourself on your profile. There is the possibility to save any search that you performed so you can use it in the future.

If you find some profile that catches your interest, you can engage them in a few different ways. You can save the profile that interests you so you can give your full attention later, you can like their profile picture, favorite them and send a wink. There is an option to forward the profile of some member to a friend, or picking Match Me, which will improve your chances with the potential date, by showing your profile to their daily matches list.

Messaging
As most of the dating sites, messaging is only available for the paid subscriptions. This option allows the members to send emails, chatting when someone is online.

MatchPhone
Match.ca has one unique feature regarding communications between the members, that really distinguishes this dating website from all the others, and that is the MatchPhone. This feature allows you to keep your phone number private and use the number that Match.ca gives you. You can use this number to call or text other members without worrying that the other side will keep bothering you if things go south.

Missed Connections
Another feature that was recently launched is the Missed Connections. According to Match.ca, this is a helpful option to help its members to meet in real life places, like coffee shops, restaurants, bookshops, etc. How is this feature working? You have to activate this feature and allow the app to pick up your location, then you can browse through the profiles, that you have crossed paths with. The profiles that will be shown to your feed are members who also have activated Missed Connections and will also be filtered by your own preferences. You will receive additional information like where exactly were your intersection spots, within a certain distance.

Top Spot and Profile Pro
Other paid features include Top Spot and ProfilePro. Members can purchase this feature so they can be placed on top of the search results for one hour. Profile Pro is a feature that helps members who have difficulties in expressing themselves, to have rewritten their profile by actual professionals, so they can attract more attention and stand out from the crowd.

Private Mode (Incognito)
Going in private mode is another feature that Match.ca is offering. With this feature, the members can search and view profiles as much as they like, while their profile is invisible, and when they are confident enough to make the first move, can make their profile visible again. This means that they can keep the invisible cloak for all other members, except for the ones they want to make some connection, send an email or take other actions.

Apps
Match.ca is also available on Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded from Google Play store and App Store accordingly. Using the mobile version of Match.ca is an excellent opportunity to make new connections wherever you go.

Match.ca Success
Since Match.ca has been around for more than 25 years, it is actual proof of their success. They have connected millions of people and have million successful love stories. They are so confident of their service that they offer 6 months guarantee to their members with 6-month memberships. This means that if you didn’t find someone special during your 6 months on the site, and you have initiated some kind of actions or responded to at least 5 people on the site per month, you get a subscription of 6 more months on the site for free.

For their success also speak their multiple awards from DatingSiteReviews.com, from which continually from 2007 to 2016, Match.co has won the Single’s Choice Award. Then in 2015 has received Gold 2015 Dating Sites Reviews Single’s Choice Award and many other rewards including Best Overall and Best Dating App.

Registration and browse for free option
Match.ca does not offer the possibility to roam around the profiles without signing up on the platform. Luckily signing up on Match is free.

The first thing that appears when you land on the website is a basic registration form, where you need to add some information like your gender, the gender you are interested in, age range and postal code. Then another pop up appears where you need to add your email address, a password for future logins and the date of birth. Next, you enter your username and select how do you like to meet potential matches, through postal code or by region. Also, you can sign up using Facebook, so the site will pick up the needed necessary information from Facebook.

Create your profile
The second part of creating the profile is composed of taking a personality test. This survey focuses on the potential partner you would like to meet. So here you should include information about their body type, how should they look like, what should be their hair and eye color, and height. Then you should give information about the education, ethnicity and religious beliefs you will expect your partner to have.

Your Lifestyle
Lastly, you add few final details regarding the drinking or smoking habits of the potential partners, whether they have or want to have kids, what is their relationship status, income, etc. All these details can be marked as dealbreakers, except for the income.

Your interests and relationship aspirations
The third part of the registration is focused on you and your interests and romantic beliefs. Here you will be asked few questions, that will give a better insight into who you are, what are your expectations from a relationship, what do you like, like which are your favorite cafes, or restaurants, favorite movies, if you have some interest in sports, etc.

Adding a photo gallery
At the end of the registration process, you can add up to 26 photos. The profile picture can be imported from Facebook, or uploaded from your computer. After the registration process is finished, your profile is submitted for approval by Match.ca team, and after 24 hours you can start browsing through the profiles to meet new interesting people.

There is an option to edit parts of your profile whenever you like. Every new photo or updated information will also have to be approved by the moderators before they go live.

Profiles on Match.ca are long but give an excellent overview of the things the members share. Although this website has a lot of features, navigating through them is relatively easy, because of its simple layout and design.

Match.ca takes lots of precautionary privacy measures to protect the privacy of its members. The information that is shared on every dating sites is pretty sensitive, like personal identity, information regarding the location of the user and personal content with images.

Data encryption
Match.ca is using a system that encrypts this information, including passwords, usernames, etc., to prevent unauthorized access and use. Also, before activating they are screening all members’ profiles, even the profile changes, to ensure that there is no insulting or inappropriate content.

MatchPhone for added safety
The MatchPhone option is a handy safety option as well. Inevitably, you will want to speak to potential dates. However, you may not want to give your ‘phone number out to all and sundry at the earliest stage. The site provides the ideal solution.

Verification badges
Match has also implemented verification badges for users who have connected their Match profile with social media accounts. This feature is optional, but it gives some assurance for its users to communicate with credible partners. These badges are visible on the profile to let other members that your profile is trustworthy.

Match.ca offers pretty excellent customer service through its Customer Care Site, and it is providing various channels like a phone call with site representative, email (customercare@support.match.com), chat support and FAQ that covers almost everything you might have a question for your dating experience. Match.ca customer service team are available to respond to your needs from Monday to Friday.

Matching algorithm that is effective and constantly improving;
Large diverse pool of members
Daily match list, personalized by the member’s preferences
Multiple search tools, for narrowing the number of possible matches
Multiple features for free like winks, likes, favoriting etc.
6 month guarantee that the member will find someone special
Matches can be generated by location or postal code
Blog for dating tips and ideas
Less time consuming sign-up process than eharmomy.ca
Profile approval is not instant and you have to wait for around 24 hours
Only paid members can send messages or who checked out their profile
You’ll get a few reminders if you switch off auto-renew

Match.ca being one of the first dating sites and dominates the global mainstream dating sector. One site that competes, especially for those seeking long-term relationships or even marriage, is eHarmony. Below I have outlined the differences between these two dating sites.

Match.ca eHarmony.ca
Over 235k monthly site visits
Algorithm that helps in finding the most suitable match
Easy to use app
Not for those that solely want suggested dates
Addons cost extra
Over 396k monthly site visits
Algorithm that helps in weeding out the mismatches
Focused on people who are looking on serious relationships
Shorter memberships cost more
Limitations on browsing and self-selection of dates

Since Match.ca has been present on the dating scene longer than any other dating website. It has earned a reputation as one of the most trustworthy websites for people looking for meaningful relationships. The site claims to have facilitated more relationships around the world and connecting more people than the other dating websites.

Match has a large membership base which presents great opportunities to meet lots of new people who are ready to find their suitable match. The additional six month membership addition guarantee for those that haven’t succeeded in finding someone is a compelling feature. Overall Match offers a sensible and safe choice for Canadians who are looking to improve their social life or searching for that elusive partner.

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    Dating Site Rating

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    Nick Evans

    Features Editor
    Rating
    8.6 /10