Match Review

Match Introduction

They say that the best ideas often come to us when we least expect them and in the most unlikely of places. While one of the founders was having a shower one day in 1993, an idea hit him like a bolt from the blue: what if the internet was used for relationships? And so, www.match.com was born. 

Cut to almost 30 years later and Match is still one of the leaders in the online dating industry, regularly outperforming other platforms in terms of membership and, more importantly, successful matches! They paved the way for online dating, resulting in countless singles finding their happily ever afters.

Part of the reason for its success could be down to its progressive and inclusive beginnings. Match was designed from the outset as a platform with women in mind - their reasoning was that if women felt safe on the site, the men would automatically follow them. They also knew how to draw in members as the lucky group of first members were granted lifelong free memberships. This approach clearly worked as decades later, Match shows no signs of going anywhere but upwards.

Not one to rest on their laurels, they have continuously adapted to and grown with the needs of their members. From acquiring smaller, more niche dating sites like SeniorPeopleMeet, SingleParentMeet and others, to going mobile with the launch of their dedicated apps in the late ‘90ies and early 2010s.

When the world came to a halt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Match saw an opportunity and introduced the option of video chats to their platform. The devil works hard, but the team running Match works harder!

So, this brings us neatly to our review of Match.com. Is it really as good as the hype suggests? Do they deserve to be one of the leaders in the online dating world? Or is it just all hot air and no substance? Well, that is what we are here to find out so get comfortable and come with us as we journey through the many facets and features of Match.com.

What Type Of Dating Site Is Match.com?

In a fast-paced world of quick encounters and instant gratification, it is almost refreshing to come across a more “serious” dating site. Match singles are generally not just after quick meets or hookups and you will find that the majority of members are after something a bit longer-lasting and seek out genuine emotional connections. That is not to say that you will not be able to find fun here if you are looking for it, just that there are other platforms more specifically catered towards more casual and fleeting interactions.

Match is perfect for you if you are looking for any of the following:

• Serious dating
• Long-term relationships
• Friendships
• Life-long partners

Who Is Match.com For?

• Straight
• Gay
• Lesbian
• Bisexual
• Transgender
• Singles

As one of the largest dating platforms in the world, it comes as no surprise that the Match dating site has a history of being very inclusive and LGBT-friendly. Despite this, we could not find a gender option for trans or nonbinary people when we signed up. Another slight hiccup is that if you identify as bisexual, you are only able to select male or female as your preference (as opposed to having both visible at the same time). You can either contact customer support to see if they can assist you with this, or you can create a new profile specifically for the other gender preference. This is definitely not the easiest way of going around this oversight when it would be very simple for Match to add an extra option for bisexual users.

Match is also clearly not for people looking to have an affair or if you are in a complicated or open relationship. When you create your profile, the only options available to you when it comes to your status exclude any form of relationship.

Stats & Infographics Of Match.com

Male - Female Ratio

Age Demographics Of Match.com Users

Because Match is aimed more toward serious relationships and finding love as opposed to hookups and fun, it comes as no surprise that the smallest demographic of users are between 18-24 years old. The bulk of Match members are early-middle-aged singles who are looking for genuine connections, no doubt with the aim to settle down.

Country Distribution

Being one of the oldest and largest dating platforms in the world, Match has many international sites although the majority of members come from the USA with Match UK coming in at second place. Even so, whether you are from Malta, Slovenia, Estonia, Peru, Taiwan and many others, the chances are high that you can use Match in your country to find love. And if your country is not available, you can use the International Match.com site.

Registration Process Of Match.com

Registering on Match.com could not be simpler and the entire process takes only a few minutes. To create your account, you need to fill in very basic details about yourself such as your name, email, age, location, gender and sexual orientation. That’s it! Once these are filled in and submitted, your Match account has been created and the next steps are all about filling out more information about yourself.

Unlike many other sites, Match does not ask too many invasive questions but still manages to be thorough and detailed enough. Information about your relationship status (no option for being in a complicated relationship here!) as well as things like your body type and whether you have children are also included. 

We were quite impressed with the casual and friendly wording of some of the options, it really helps to make your first exposure to the platform a positive experience. 

After completing the basic information fields, the process goes into a bit more detail but remains very easy and quick to complete. These fields are all about showing others a bit more of who you are and what you are interested in as well as being useful when Match’s algorithms try to find compatible people for you.

One field that particularly stood out to us was the “Causes that are near and dear” section where you can select various current affairs that you are passionate about. This is a great ice breaker when you want to approach someone new and also helps you see who has similar values to you.

There is also a section where you can fill out more detail about what you are looking for in a partner - and they really go into detail! You can be extremely specific about age, height, body type, education and more so even the pickiest of people can narrow their search to suit their standards!

The entire process of setting up a profile took just a few minutes from start to finish but each section also has a “Skip” option if you would prefer to come back to it at a later stage. 

Upon completion, you are redirected to your home page and to get you started you can browse through some recommended profiles. Simply “skip” or “like” someone’s profile depending on if you feel drawn to them and if they like you too then you are matched and can speak (if you have upgraded your membership from the free version that is).

Browsing through the site, we found it to be extremely easy to navigate and within minutes we could find our way around without any trouble. The Search page was quite impressive with the sheer scope of how specific you could be about what you were looking for. We imagine that you could spend quite a while here trying to tweak the parameters to find the person of your dreams!

Another handy feature is that if you have a very specific set of search requests and it took you a while to find the perfect combination, you don’t have to go through the process each time. Saving your search for the future is an extremely intuitive feature that more sites should have!

Opening your profile page allows you to alter any information that you have already filled out, as well as fill in additional fields. We particularly liked how the Summary section on your profile comes with useful tips to help you think outside of the box to try and write something interesting about yourself.

All in all the user experience as a whole is very simple and even the least tech-savvy people should have no issues finding their way around. Everything is laid out clearly and the different sections are self-explanatory and not over complicated at all. It is easy to see why Match has endured for such a long time, they have clearly honed their platform over the years to give you the smoothest experience.

We do wish, however, that the free membership was not so limited. Sending and receiving messages, responding to messages, seeing who has viewed you and other quite basic features are strictly reserved for those with subscriptions. It would have been great if there was even a one or two-day trial period where you had access to more features to get a better feel for the site. Having said this though, the entire experience was a lot better than many other sites and if you do choose to upgrade your membership, you will not be frustrated!

Match.com Mobile Application / Compatibility

Match has an especially designed mobile app that you can use in conjunction with the desktop site. It is compatible with iOS and Android and is quick and easy to download onto your device. The Match app works largely the same as the desktop site but in a condensed package that is easy to navigate and very user-friendly. If you have used dating apps from other larger sites, you will instantly find the interface to be familiar. 

There are also additional app-specific features that are not available on the main site. You can swipe through profiles and like them, if the feeling is mutual from the other person then you are matched and can begin chatting. Video chat and their specialised phone call features are a much better experience on the app when compared to the Match desktop site.

The match.com app also has a “Date Check-In” feature which allows you to add contacts in order for them to receive updates on your location as well as whom you’re meeting with. This is excellent to ensure that you are safe on a date with someone new!

Men Vs Women On Match.com

As far as we could tell there was no difference in price or features when it comes to men using the site as opposed to women. Match is one of the more popular sites when it comes to female members and boasts a larger percentage of women active on the site compared to some other sites. This comes as no surprise because, as we mentioned earlier, Match was designed with women in mind from its inception.

However, we would be remiss to mention that when it comes to other gender identities like transgender or nonbinary, there is a very noticeable lack of inclusivity here. Upon signing up the only gender choices available are male or female so if you identify as anything other than cisgender this could leave you frustrated. Despite this, it remains a popular choice for LGBTQ+ singles - you might just have to write a bit more about yourself on your profile to best represent yourself to other members!

Match.com Top Features

Match Events

One of the features that Match is famous for is their hosted events specifically designed to help you meet people you might otherwise not have come across from normal use of the platform. Available only to paid members, these are mainly hosted in the USA and the UK (although there was a brief period during the COVID-19 pandemic when they were put on hold). Match events sometimes include speed dating which is a fun alternative to trying to chat someone up but can also involve happy hour cocktails, tastings, cooking classes and much more!

We did some digging and found that if you use the match.com UK site (match.co.uk), you have access to online events such as quiz nights so keep an eye out for something that is your cup of tea! The cost of Match Events depends on the type of event and may differ for men and women so be sure to double-check the event details for more information.

Lastly, not only can you attend events but you are able to submit applications to Match to host your very own event. If you want to play cupid and help others find their match in a fun and exciting way, this could be for you!

Match Phone

This handy feature is a great way to take things to the next level with your match. You are each given a special private number which allows you to contact each other through text or by calling without having to give out your personal contact information. Incoming calls and texts from your match are forwarded to the number that you provide when you create your profile (it is not visible to others). 

Profile Pro

If you are at a loss for how to create a perfect profile or you have created one but aren’t getting the attention that you think you should be, all hope is not lost! The Match Profile Pro team will dust their magic on your profile to give you the best chances of finding someone. For a fee, you are essentially giving your profile over to a professional who will write the perfect profile based on your information as well as advise you on which sorts of photos to upload.

You are welcome to tweak this professionally created profile after they are done with it so in a way they are doing the bulk of the work for you when it comes to creating a profile that best represents you. Your assigned writer will ask you a few questions about yourself which are combined with the information you have already filled in to give you an irresistible profile!

Expert Picks

While Match has a stellar reputation for creating successful pairings from their algorithm, take things a step further with the Expert Picks feature. Specifically trained dating coaches will bring together two participating members based on their profile compatibility as well as their answers to 4 carefully designed questions. This human touch to the match-making service they offer really puts a new spin on things to give you the best chances at finding love. They have also enlisted some big names to act as their dating experts, most recently the creator of Sex and the City, Candace Bushnell!

6-Month Guarantee Program

Perhaps their most impressive feature and a testament to their confidence in their matchmaking abilities is the Match Guarantee. If certain requirements are met and you have not found someone special in your first 6 months of actively using the site, you are given another 6 months of membership, free of charge!

The main requirements in order to qualify for this are that your profile needs to be: accurate and truthful, include a photo of yourself, be visible at all times and have everything on your profile set up within the first 7 days of your paid membership. In addition, Match also expects a degree of effort on your part so it’s important to make sure that you message at least 5 new people each month. This is either in the form of you reaching out to them, or responding to messages from others. We hope that you will not need to use the extra few months to find someone (and based on Match’s success rates you should have plenty of luck) but it takes a lot of pressure off of finding your match knowing that this exists!

Match Pricing & Costs

At this point, you might be wondering, “how much is match.com to use?” They offer a variety of subscription packages depending on how long you would like to be a paid member as well as whether you want to have a Standard or Premium membership. A free membership does exist, although the capabilities are quite limited as we will show below.

We also found it interesting that if you would like to use the mobile app, they offer subscriptions at different rates as well as the inclusion of a monthly membership option.

Standard

Premium

Match.com prices vary quite a bit depending on whether you choose to purchase the Standard or Premium membership, and if you opt to use the Match dating app subscriptions there is a change in price here as well.

Standard

Premium

Mobile App

Based on their monthly costs, the best value for money appears to be any of the 6 or 12-month options but you will need to weigh up how long you want to commit to the site as well as how much you are willing to spend. It is important to note that Match subscriptions automatically renew and you are charged for the total amount of the subscription, rather than having a monthly payment. The monthly subscription is only available on the mobile app and it is quite a bit more expensive than any of the others.

Depending on which subscription you choose, the perks of each one are different with the free membership having the most limited features and the Premium membership the most (the pricing reflects this as well).

In addition to the perks of each subscription shown above, Match offers additional features that can be purchased on a monthly basis to make your experience even better. It is a pity that these features are not included with the Premium membership but they are still worth some consideration if you are serious about dating. 

Match.com Pros & Cons

Pros Of Match.com 

• Intuitive compatibility and match-making algorithms (this saves you time from having to search through many different profiles and instead recommends the people who are most likely to be compatible with your interests)
• Simple and straightforward process to create a profile
• The well-designed mobile app has additional features to ensure your safety while out on a date (you have the option of checking in with a friend or family member to show that you are safe)
• Match.com offers a money-back guarantee if you do not have a match in the first 6 months of use, or the option of qualifying for an additional 6 months free of charge
• One of the most well-established and reputable dating sites in the business with not only over 20 years of success stories but also a very large pool of users
• Myriad success stories and raving Match reviews are a clear indicator of how their tried and tested simple approach works without needing to overcomplicate things

Cons Of Match.com

• The free version of the site has limited capabilities (sending and even reading messages requires a paid subscription)
• The majority of users tend to be between the ages of 30-50 so if you are not interested in dating in this age bracket your search for a match could take a bit longer than others
• Limited accommodation for bisexual people as you are only able to select one gender in your preferences
• The high volume of inactive free members means that you could come across plenty of “ghost profiles” and this could also affect the number and quality of potential matches that are recommended based on your preferences and interests
• To get the most out of the platform, the cost of Match membership can get quite high if you opt for the Premium subscription as well as all the various add-ons and features on offer

Match.com Safety & Security

Sharing Of Your Personal Information

Match.com uses some of your information in order to allow you to make the best use of the site and give you the greatest chances to make connections. The information that you add to your profile is shared with other members of the site as well as with some third parties and affiliates. When your information is shared with third parties, not only is your consent required but they also have to disclose why the information is being supplied to them.

The third parties that are provided with your information are mainly for marketing and advertising purposes as well as customer care and payment operations. When your information is shared with third parties for advertising purposes, it is in a non-human readable form so that it is in a limited form and some privacy is provided. Any third party that works with Match.com goes through a strict screening process as well as agreeing to confidentiality measures.

Retaining Your Personal Information

Your personal information is only kept as long as required for legitimate business purposes. After your Match profile has been closed, some information is retained for specific purposes. Transaction data is kept in order to meet tax and accounting reasons. Customer care records as well as limited profile data are kept in anticipation of any potential litigation (this is kept for a maximum of five years). 

While this is not an ideal situation when your account has been closed, it is clear from the privacy policy that any information about you is kept merely for backup purposes in case any dispute arises in the future. It is also reassuring to know that your information is not kept indefinitely.

Background Checks And Identity Verification

It is surprising that for such a large and well-established site Match.com does not conduct any form of background screening or identity verification. However, if approached by a consumer reporting agency they are given the right to conduct background checks on any person that has joined the site.

They also provide some safety tips on how to communicate with other members and tips on how to be safe online. Match is still one of the largest and most reputable names in the business and is well-known for being one of the safest dating sites to use but a more thorough screening process could add an extra bit of assurance.

Conclusion

This brings us to the end of our review and the big question. Is Match a good dating site? Simply put - yes. If we were to sum up our experience of Match dating in one word, it would be “polished”. This is not surprising when you look at its long history and growing list of innovative features. It is not a site that is without fault though and some points are worth mentioning again.

Do you have to pay for Match? To get the most out of it, yes you do. We were slightly disappointed with how restrictive the free membership was (not even being able to send or read messages), the paid subscriptions are good value and Match costs are very competitive when compared to other paid sites. Along with this, their 6-Month Guarantee Program is extremely enticing and is a testament to how confident they are in the service they offer. 

We would also have liked to see a bit more inclusivity when it comes to choosing your gender. In 2022, the lack of non-binary and transgender options seems like quite a large oversight but is also one that could be very easily remedied. 

Despite these issues, when it comes to almost everything else they do, they do it well. Match has a simple and straightforward sign-up process that requires just the right of information from you without being too vague or too invasive. They also have an ever-growing list of additional services such as hosting live events to having professionals at your disposal to create the perfect profile. Match is one of those platforms that really thinks of everything. 

Not only do they offer a lot, but they also know how to deliver results - a quick look through some Match.com reviews from other users will make this very clear. There is a good reason that Match has become one of the leaders in online dating and for anyone who is serious about finding love, it should definitely be added to your shortlist!

Match.com Tips

Use The “What’s New” Tab On Your Profile To See A Quick Summary Of What Has Been Happening On Your Account

On this page, you will be provided updates about who has sent you emails, winks or call requests as well as how many people have checked out your profile. You are also shown notifications on when your favourites have updated their profiles as well as keeping track of any new people you had added to your favourites.

How To Increase Responses From Other Members

It can be frustrating when you message others and they don’t respond, or when people don’t even reach out to you at all and you always have to make the first move! Make sure that you have added a photo to your profile - this dramatically increases the possibility of getting a message back. You can also make use of the “Starter Kit” which gives you access to expert advice on how to make the best first impressions as well as using the custom search features to find exactly what you are looking for.

How To Improve Matching Results

Make sure that when filling out the matching preferences you do not make them too vague or broad - yes, you will see more people this way but you will also see more people that won’t interest you! Make small adjustments to your profile and preferences over time to ensure that you will only see people that appeal to you, giving your Match.com dating experience the best chance of success.

Try Your Best To Qualify For The 6-Month Guarantee Program To Get An Additional 6 Months Of Membership Free Of Charge

If you have not met someone special after using Match..com for 6 months, you could be entitled to having your membership renewed, free of charge! This offer is only available for the 6-month subscription package and certain criteria must be met. How you use the site in those first 6 months is therefore crucial. Your profile must have a photo and must be visible to all other members 100% of the time. In addition, you are required to have initiated or responded to emails from at least 5 different members each month through the platform. There are also additional Guarantee Program rules so it is best to familiarise yourself with these before getting started.

Use The Reply For Free Feature To Make Contact With Free Members

Only available to paid subscribers, Reply for Free is an additional feature that you can purchase whereby free members are able to reply to your messages without needing to upgrade their memberships. This will not only increase your chances of getting responses but it can also give off a great first impression. You’re essentially covering the cost of their replies to see if you are a suitable match for each other! 

Keep An Eye Out In Your Email Inbox For Mention Of Match Webinars

Match offers online presentations from experts about dating tips and guidance to give you the best tools to find that special someone. Webinars are sent to the email linked to your match .com login and are hosted on a third-party webinar platform (registration to this platform is required but is free of charge). If you miss a webinar, a recording of it will be available to view for 30 days after the link has been sent.

FAQ

How Do I Get Ahold Of Customer Care?

Any queries or issues with the platform or your Match.com sign in can be taken up directly with the Customer Care team. This can be done via email on the Contact Us web forum and a representative will respond to you within 24 hours via email.

Can Anyone Create A Match com Login?

For the most part, yes although there are a few minimum requirements that must be met. Nobody under the age of 18 can create a profile and anyone who joins must be single or separated from their spouse. In addition, anyone who has been convicted of a crime or registered as a sex offender may not sign up.

What Is The 6-Month Guarantee Program?

Match.com is so confident in its ability to find you someone special that if you have opted for the 6-month subscription and not made any meaningful connections in that time, you will be given an additional 6 months free of charge. There are certain criteria for this program that must be met in order for the 6 months free to qualify and details of this can be found on the Help/FAQ homepage.

What Is ProfilePro?

ProfilePro is Match.com’s unique profile consulting service. If you are looking for tips on how to improve your profile (whether it is the wording of certain things or the photos that you have displayed), their experts are ready to design a profile specifically for you to get you the most attention to find the perfect match.

Is Match.com Same-Sex Dating Friendly?

Yes! When you register your profile, you are given the option to state whether you are a man or a woman and if you are looking for either a man or a woman.

Can I Get A Refund For A Match Event That I RSVP’d To But Did Not Attend?

If you cancelled your RSVP and could not attend a specific Match Event then you will not be refunded. However, if the event has been cancelled by the coordinators then you will be refunded for the cost of the event within 5-7 days.

Can I Search For A Specific Member On Match.com?

Yes! If you know what someone’s username is then you can enter this on the Search page. If the profile you are looking for does not come up in the results, then they have either changed their username, hidden their profile or cancelled their account.

Can I Control Who Sees My Profile And Photos?

Unfortunately, you are unable to selectively hide your profile from specific people or groups of people but you are able to hide your profile entirely so that nobody can see it. Another way to get around who can see you is to limit the photos/information that you upload to your profile and instead pass this onto only the people you choose via message.

What Is The Profile Counter And Can I Reset It?

The Profile Counter is located underneath your profile photo and it keeps track of how many times your profile has been viewed. Every time someone looks at your profile it increases by one. You can reset it whenever you like (and as many times as you want to) simply by clicking the “Reset to 0” button underneath the counter on your profile.

How Do I Report Inappropriate Messages Or Behaviour From Other Users?

If you have come across other users who send you inappropriate messages or harass you virtually in any way, click on the “Report a Concern” link that is found on every member's profile. A detailed description of the reason for reporting them is recommended so as to better equip the customer care team with information on how to handle your case.

What Happens If I Get An Email Or Message Asking For Confirmation Of My Username And Password?

Match.com never sends emails asking for any personal, account or financial information from its members. If you receive any messages asking for these details, they can be forwarded to customercare@support.match.com with “phishing” in the subject line. 

How Do I Cancel My Free Membership To The Match.com Dating Site?

If you have not upgraded your membership to one of the subscriptions on offer and don’t wish to continue with the site, head over to your account settings and click on the “Change/Cancel Membership” link. Your profile will be immediately removed and hidden from others and your Match dating login will be terminated.

How Do I Check My Subscription Renewal Or End Date?

In order to check the date that your Match subscription renews or ends, click on “Account” in the navigation bar and select “Subscription Status”. This link will not appear if you don’t have any active subscriptions.

Why Do The Subscription Offers Show A Monthly Rate But I Am Billed At Once?

Match.com displays the subscriptions as a monthly rate in order to show you a more detailed comparison of the various subscription packages. When selecting a subscription, you will be billed for the entire amount of the package. A one-month subscription is offered if you would prefer to pay a monthly fee instead (although this works out to be a bit more expensive compared to the other subscriptions).

Does My Subscription Have To Automatically Renew Once The End Of Term Has Been Reached?

By default, all subscriptions automatically renew once their original period has elapsed but this can be deactivated if you do not want to be charged again. On your Account Settings page, go to Manage Subscription and select “Cancel Subscription”. Select a reason for cancellation, click “Continue Cancellation” and follow the steps. A confirmation page should show up after this has been successfully completed and you will still have access to your paid benefits for the remainder of the subscription term. After this has elapsed, your account will automatically revert back to the free membership.

What If My Username And Password Don’t Work?

If you are struggling with your Match.com login, double-check that you are entering your username and password correctly. You can also change your password by going to the “Forgot Password” page and requesting a link to reset it.

Can I Change My Match.com Username And Email After I Have Signed Up?

Yes! Simply head to your Account Settings and you will find a link to update your username, email address and your birthdate. If you want to change your email within the first 90 days of creating your account, you will need to contact customer support regarding this.

How Can I Hide My Profile Without Cancelling My Subscription?

If you would like to hide your profile so that it is not visible to others but still want to keep your membership active, click on “Profile” and then “Settings” - you will see your profile status here and can easily toggle between “Visible” or “Hidden”.

Can I Reactivate An Old Account?

Yes! If you have an account that has been cancelled, you will be redirected to the reactivation page when you try to sign in again. Your account will not be charged if you had a paid subscription and you will only have access to a free membership.

Can I Switch Off Email Notifications From Match.com?

Yes! Click the “Account” link and select “Email Preferences”. You are able to customise how often you receive emails as well as what sort of email notifications match.com sends you.