Let’s face it; looking for love isn’t easy. Your Match is not always “just around the corner” like you’re led to believe. There also may be plenty of fish in the sea, but you may feel like you’re always pulling up old shoes or bits of plastic.
However, you may be surprised to learn that one of the best ways to meet people in this digital age is online. Still, it helps if you are using the right platform to do so.
There’s every reason to believe that Match, or Match.com, is that platform. Don’t be fooled by its quarter-of-a-century age, for there’s nothing archaic about this dating site and app. Love is love, and with an abundance of features this site has to offer, you may just get it sooner than you think.
Signing Up and Creating a Profile
If you have signed up for online dating apps and sites before, then you know how arduous the ‘creating a profile’ section can be. You have to set aside a lot of time, think about who you are, then make time for a mid-life crisis halfway through.
When setting up your profile and signing up on Match.com, that’s definitely not the case. Of course, you do need to allow some time, but the questions are as straightforward as you can get. You can cover the basics about yourself, such as whether or not you smoke or drink, and how you describe your physical appearance.
You can also talk about any interests and hobbies you might have, such as cooking, hiking, traveling, church, etc. It pays to list as many hobbies and passions as possible, for they can end up being talking points for your potential match. We have plenty of dating advice that can help you work out what you need to know beforehand, too.
You can then upload your photo, make sure all your contact information is up to date, then start exploring the rest of the site.
Getting Started
While it’s essential to set up the information about yourself in your profile, it’s equally as important to add filters, so people know what you are looking for, too. Match makes this process effortless.
You can list things you prefer, such as someone who doesn’t smoke, but you can also include whether or not it’s a deal-breaker. The last thing you want to do is miss out on the potential love of your life because they have a terrible habit that you could actually live with.
In the filters section, you can also ask about faith, favorite things to do, pets, and more. The more detailed you are in your profile and the filters, the more likely you are to find someone with morals and values that align with yours.
Getting a Match
You don’t call a dating site Match if you can’t get a match, so let’s quickly run through this process. Just like Tinder, you can see one profile at a time on Match. You can decide to match with them or skip them. However, unlike dating apps like Tinder, Match offers more information about a person when they pop up on your screen. Therefore, you can choose to match (or not) with someone based on their information, not only their photo.
The people that appear on your screen are carefully selected based on the information that appears in your filter and profile. While you’re scouring through potential matches, so are other people. You can learn who has liked your profile by checking out your ‘interests’ tab.
Messaging
Unlike some other platforms, you don’t have to wait until you have a match to send someone a message. This does, of course, increase the chances of random messages and unrequited love, but it can also broaden your dating pool significantly, as well.
Platforms That Work Well with Match
Like most dating apps and sites today, Match is as versatile as they come. You’ve literally got a date in your pocket. You can use the Match.com app on your Android or iOS device, and load the website on your computer browser, too.
When you use your mobile device, the main website minimizes to fit your screen size. Therefore, even if you’re not planted at your computer, you don’t have to sacrifice any features.
Match Dating Site Features
Having been around for over 25 years, you would expect them to have a few tricks up its sleeve. While it has allowed other dating platforms to take the lead with some features, it also has plenty of desirable ones of its own.
Match Events
Trying to find the love of your life is hard work, and online dating certainly makes it easier. But Match takes it one step further by offering events. Paid members can attend events in their area that are attended by other members.
What these events are can depend on where you live, but some of the more popular ones include beer tasting, beginner classes, and webinars. You can learn new skills and meet someone at the same time.
AskMatch
There are plenty of dating advice sites on the internet, but there is also no shortage of advice on Match, too. In 2019, they launched AskMatch, which is a dating advice service with a dating coach. You can have one-on-one phone calls with dating coaches who can help you navigate the daunting world of online dating.
They can even help you combat problems such as ghosting, conversation starters, and learning how to meet people in real life.
MatchWords
Are you looking for that special someone who will share your passion for a particular hobby or interest? It can seem impossible. Thanks to Match’s Match words feature, though, it’s not. You can use this advanced search feature to find a specific word. For example, if you like horses, then your search term can be horses.
You may find someone who likes horses too or says they eat like a horse, but at least you’ll know for sure…
Singled Out
When you log into the site or app each day, you get to review your new matches. The first one that appears has been specifically chosen, or singled out, as the best connection for you. It’s up to you whether you like what you see, or if you want to move onto the next one.
Price and Plans
Match offers both free and paid membership accounts, but it may not be immediately obvious which option is best for you. So, you can start on a free membership, access a trial version of a paid membership, then move to a paid membership account.
Trial and free memberships
When you sign up for the first time, you can access your general user information and describe what you are looking for. You can even list interests that you like and that you would prefer for other people to have, too.
You can post photos, do searches, and send and receive winks. However, before long, you will realize that the free version is nowhere near as helpful as the paid version. You can’t send people messages without spending money.
Paid membership
The paid membership gives you full access to the site. You can send messages, check out who has checked you out, and experience no limitations as you browse through every corner of the website.
- $23.99/month for 12 months
- $26.65/month for six months
- $31.99/month for three months
While it is hoped that you will not need to stay on this dating site for very long, it’s nice to know that the monthly costs get cheaper by choosing a more extended subscription period.
Pros and Cons of Match
There are many pros to signing up, but there are also a few cons of which to be aware. One of the most significant downsides is that you don’t get a lot of value out of using the free version. There is no way to message people if you don’t spend money. This site is also better for those seeking a long-term relationship, as opposed to a quick hook-up.
Still, the pros outweigh the cons significantly. The interface is user-friendly, and everything you need to find the potential love of your life is one easy-to-use area.
It also operates similarly to other dating platforms, so you don’t have to get used to an entirely new concept. Perhaps one of the most standout positives of this platform is that it hosts meet-ups for its paid members. Meet not only one potential love but many.
Conclusion
Match is a dating platform that services over 50 countries in 12 languages. It has been around since 1995 and has grown in leaps and bounds since those early days. Whether you’re looking for love or company, Match can be of assistance. It might be time to try out this dating service for yourself.
Remember that we’re always here to help! You can check out more reviews on different online dating sites and apps to know which suits you best. Be in the know – browse and read through more articles here to be on top of your game.
