Match.com Review | Flawed or Perfect Match?

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In A Nutshell

We take an in-depth look at the pros and cons in our Match.com review. A lot of marketing as gone into making Match the most familiar name for mainstream dating. Does it deserve to be top of the tree or is it on the decline? Let’s explore.

It is owned by Match Group Inc (MTCH) and considered one of the industry leaders. It encountered different challenges, achieved remarkable milestones, and gained so much popularity over the last two decades. It’s a great place for first-time users because of the sheer amount of users available. As Match says in their marketing pitch, ‘it’s free to look around’. So, if you’re after a tried and trusted dating site where there are plenty of potential local dates then it’s one of the best options.

We highly recommend signing up for free and browsing Match.com to see if it is likely to fulfill your dating aspirations. A try before you buy approach. There are popular free site options including some owned by the owners of Match, however, the subscription model weeds out most of the scammers and time-wasters and attracts a professional crowd as well. Later in our Match.com review, we’ll take a look at the discounts and free offers Match has from time to time.

Essential Stats

Match.com attracts millions of members, with nearly 100 million users since it was launched in 1993. Here is a quick guide of the site stats.

Number of members: 90 million (worldwide)/ 40 million (UK)
Male to Female Ratio: 51%|49%
Most Popular Subscription: 6-Month Membership
Registration Cost: Free

Membership Prices:
6-month membership: £12.99 per month with 56% savings
3-month membership: £19.99 per month with 33% savings
1-month membership: £29.99 per month

*Non-paying site members can contact you by paying extra £10 a month.

Overall Demographics:

● 25% of users are under 30 years old
● 49% of users are between 30 to 49 years old
● 26% of users are over 50 years old
● 68% of users are non-smokers
● 24% of users are smokers
● 46% of users don’t have children
● 23% of users have children at home
● 21% of users have children away from home
● Fastest Growing: 50+ Category

Features

1. Search Options

a. Go Search
If you want to get the most out of your search, ‘Go Search’ is the best way to go. To use this search tool effectively, you need to do an extra amount of work. You can sort by age (youngest to oldest), number of photos per account, username (alphabetical list), distance from your location, and last date logged-in. You can find the ‘Advanced Search Criteria’ in this search option with subcategories, such as Appearance (Hair Color, Eye Color, etc.). Just simply select the appropriate checkboxes and click ‘Apply’. The ‘Username Search’ is also available so you can just simply enter the username of the person on the ‘Text Box Here’ and click ‘Search’.

b. Mutual Match
This search option allows you to find your right matches based on the number of traits they have that you’re looking for and what traits you have that others are looking for. Using this search, you can sort by the username (alphabetical list), length of membership, age, number of account photos, the distance where you live, and last ‘logged in’ date.

c. Reverse Match
This search option allows users to find their potential matches based on how many traits the user have that others are looking for. Users can also search by the username (alphabetical list), number of account photos, distance from the residence, length of membership, age, and date of last ‘logged in’.

d. Community Search
The Community Search is unique in such a way that it pairs users with people according to the organizations or brands they both like. Once you click one of the categories, it will open up a list of groups or brands in that category, and you just need to click the checkbox of desired item or sub-option and click ‘Apply’. For instance, if you choose ‘Sports League’, you can always pick the different teams and find your perfect match that is also a fan of your favorite team! You can add as many brands or groups as you want in the ‘Community Search’.

2. Local Dating App
Date singles and find your match by downloading the Match.com Local Dating App for free! Here are the details of this free iPhone dating app:

● Seller/ Owner: Match.com International Limited
● Category: Lifestyle
● Download Size: 144.4 MB
● Compatibility: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (iOS 10.0 or later).
● Languages: English, French, German, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Portuguese, Spanish, Norwegian Bokmål, Swedish
● Age Rating: At least 17 years old to be able download this application.
● Price: Free
● In-App Purchases: match.com for iPhone (£6.99) / Boost (£1.99) / Incognito Mode (£1.99)

3. Match.com Boost
The Match.com Boost allows you to have a more visible profile to get more attention from other users. It typically ‘boost’ your Match.com profile and you’ll be included on the ‘Popular Profiles’ section for an extra charge of £1.99. You are also pushed up on the top searches, thus increasing your activity up to 4 times. Your profile will be live upon purchase and the average length of time for the ‘boost’ is about 4 to 6 hours. The best results are obtained on mid weeknights, particularly Tuesday.

4. Blacklisting, Blocking or Hiding
If ever you don’t want to hear from a certain user on Match.com, you can include them on your blacklist or no means of contact at all. They’ll still be able to see your profile so they’re unaware that they’re actually blocked. ‘Hiding Profiles’ is the less extreme version, wherein the hidden profile won’t show up in your searches. To find these options, you have to scroll to the bottom section of a person’s profile page. Per account, 999 ‘Hides’ are allowed, so it is worth hiding an account if you are really sure that you don’t want to see the profile again.

5. Great Special Add-Ons
Match.com memberships have two additional paid features which are the ‘Connect’ and ‘Select’ add-ons. By purchasing the ‘Connect’ add-on, you can exchange messages with other users who do not have a subscription yet and get notified of new members before the non-connect users. With the Select add-on. You’ll know when your emails are read. You’ll also get an absence manager, to notify people if you’re away. Another benefit of purchasing this add-on is setting a contact filter, wherein you can choose the type of people who can contact you that fits your set criteria. Users who don’t fit your criteria will need to send a request first. These add-ons are helpful for picky users or to help narrow down choices, thus getting a faster match for a more flexible and serious local dating.

6. Match.com Nights Feature
With this feature, you’ll get alerted of special events currently happening near you run by Match.com. As compared to other dating events, Match.com Nights are surprisingly exciting and interesting. These events are paid that comes with free snacks and first drink. We highly recommend taking this opportunity to get to meet your date, making it as a conversation starter. Match.com Nights offers ‘Singles Holiday’ that many users really love. It’s perfectly fine to take a friend on these events.

7. Match.com Shuffle Feature
The ‘Match.com Shuffle’ feature is a ransom selection of the best matches thrown in front of you based on your answers on the questionnaire. If you have not set the advanced search option, then this feature is very helpful. Onceyou get through 100 shuffles, just wait 10 minutes for the new profiles to appear. The person’s profile will still show up even when you mark it as ‘Not Interested’, so you need to hide or block them.

8. Match.com Winks or Favorites
Match.com offers a paid and free membership, wherein you can add users to your ‘Favorite’ lists so you can always come back to them later on. The people you’ll add on your favorite list will be notified. You can see and get notifications of members who have added you to their favorites on a paid account. On the other hand, winks serve as a little nudge showing someone that you’re interested and this feature is only available on paid accounts. The sent winks cannot be undone, and the user will be alerted that you’ve winked at them. Sending a message and a wink is cool and friendly.

9. Spot Light Member
With the ‘Spot Light Member’ feature, you agree to some extended terms of Match.com. Your face will be used on the ads of the dating site across the internet. Based on our test, it does not really create a major impact on the clicks and matches on a profile. This is a good option though for users who want to become a star or celebrity online and also applicable to very attractive people.

Ease of Use

While it is true that Match offers different features, this dating site has a simple layout and app, making it relatively easy to understand and navigate. Yes, it is user-friendly and the membership is totally free. The free membership allows you to test the search and matching features to see if Match.com is the right dating platform for you.

Once you join Match and used your social media account or email to register, an in-depth profile need to be filled in, focusing on your lifestyle and interests. The three main sections of the profile page include the following: ‘My Details’ (ethnicity, relationship status,faith, body type, etc.), ‘In My Own Words’ (open-ended section), and ‘My Interests’ (playing cards, book club, cooking, sports, volunteering, etc.). All you need to do is to fill in the optional sections so you can introduce yourself to your potential matches with your most appealing attributes highlighted. Match.com utilizes your profile information to suggest mutually compatible users in your local area. You can edit your profile, add some photos, send winks, search for matches, and access the app as a free member unlimitedly. If you want to communicate with a user on site, you need to choose a paid membership (3-month, 6-month, or 12-month membership plan). Once you upgrade your account, you’ll automatically gain access to privacy filters, messaging features, and Match Events’ priority access. You’ll also rank higher in the dating site’s search results.

Match.com has a self-explanatory site and app, so even people who are not tech-savvy can use it with a breeze. The search tools are user-friendly, narrowing down the dating field to users who can meet your standards in terms of personality, looks, distance, lifestyle and interests.

Safety & Security

Match cultivates a safe and secure dating environment for all its members. It actively checks its network and all profiles are screened. Users are also empowered by using the blocking or blacklisting feature and report unscrupulous profiles on the dating site. You can report any concern to Match.com and you’ll get a response within 24 hours. You can also flag any profile that shows fake or inappropriate content or one that exhibits abusive or harmful behaviors. A thorough investigation is performed once a report has been received and the account may be removed entirely from the site with clear evidence or proof of malicious intent or unwanted behaviors.

Match just recently implemented innovative and strict verification tools for safe and secure social media account integration on the dating platform. Your profile will receive a badge once your Facebook account, Twitter account, email address, phone number, and your other social media profiles have been verified. While this is an optional feature, it can help build your credibility with your potential love interests.

Customer Service and Contact Information

Website: Match.com
Physical Address:
6th Floor,
55 Strand,
London,
WC2N 5LR

Phone number: 020 305 96 494
Email Address: match_uk@e1.match.com

Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/match_uk?lang=en
Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/ukmatch/?hl=en

*Chat and Email Support

Positives and Negatives

Positives
● A large number of global users in 25 countries
● View potential and best matches for free
● Multiple search tools
● Pay only if you want to contact the user
● Countless profiles based on search keyword or criteria
● More success stories from real users
● Take quizzes and play fun games to narrow your search
● Open to LGBTQ profiles
● Live chat and email support
● Free winks, likes, favorites, and yes-rating
● 6-month guarantee to find your match (otherwise you get 6 months free membership)

Negatives
● First-timers might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of members
● Paid subscribers can only send and read messages
● Time-consuming search for really busy people

Other Sites to Consider

The main competitors of Match.com are eHarmony, Tinder, Bumble, OKCupid, Zoosk, and Plenty of Fish. eHarmony.com is the most recognizable competitor of Match.com. It has an in-depth approach to profile building, matchmaking, and contacting matches that is based on the psychology of real-world relationship. OkCupid.com works similarly to social media websites, like Facebook, wherein members can send instant messages and private emails to each other for free. Zoosk is a perfect combination of fun and serious dating with trivia style game to connect to other users using the app.

In Bumble, women are the ones who make the first move. Once a match has been made, the woman has 24 hours to respond if she is interested, otherwise, the match disappears! Tinder only works on mobile devices, and only applicable to users with a Facebook account. PlentyOfFish is a major rival of Match with more than 100 million subscribers in less than 5 years! This Canadian dating website’s structure is similar to eHarmony.

In Conclusion

As one of the most popular dating app in the UK, Match.com empowers its users through helpful search tools to help users find their potential matches with ease and confidence. Whether you’re looking for just a date, a future partner, or romantic love, Match.com makes it simpler, easier, and more versatile with free and paid membership at reasonable prices. As long as you know what you want and you answer the questionnaire truthfully, you’ll find your best match in no time!

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    Dating Site Rating

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    Nick Evans

    Editor
    Rating
    9.5 /10