I Paid to Try Match.com — Here's the Truth

Overview

When it comes to online dating, I give Match a lot of credit because it goes deep and gives singles more control in their searches for a partner. I have over 30 years of personal and professional experience with Match, and it is one of my go-to dating apps to recommend to clients. It’s all about mature dating and love seeking for those of us ready to commit. You have filters based on religion, ethnicity, and dating intentions to guide your choices. To see if it still holds up, I rejoined Match myself with the premium subscription plan. I liked the quality of my matches, but if I were to do it over, I’d join the Diamond Plan so I could see who is a paid member.

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Match.com started as one of the first mainstream online dating sites, launching in 1995 during the days of dial-up internet. Today, it’s among the most popular dating apps on the market.

While I understand more than most that there’s no digital magic wand to bring your dream date running into your arms, I do know services like Match have a history of success for a reason. They give you opportunities!

I’ve put my trust in Match before and had a good experience, but part of my success also has to do with a good strategy and continually updating my profile. It’s not just Match putting in the work. I’m putting in effort too. I’ll let you in on my strategy and recommendations to land a great first date on Match.

Getting Started & Creating My Profile (4 Steps)

My strategy going into Match was all about quality first. When I joined, I was intentional about every choice in my profile.

For example, when asked how old I want my partner to be, I selected an age range of eight years younger to 10 years older than myself. My goal was to up the odds of being matched with a lot of people. I call it casting a wide net. 

It may be a numbers game, but think quality over quantity.

At first I made the radius search 48 miles from my hometown, but later I experimented by expanding my search to 150 miles away. Because you never know when people are open to moving for love.

I wanted my bio to be laser-specific about my long-term relationship goals, so I wrote this: 

“What am I looking for? A first date where the conversation flows and where we excitedly put a second date on the calendar before we leave. Ultimately, an everlasting love. Isn’t that why we’re here?”

This language makes a call to action. It’s essentially instructions, so guys know where I’m at even before messaging. 

My reasoning is that if a date goes well, there would be a clear expectation to pull out our phones and check our respective calendars to plan date #2.

Start to finish, it takes less than 10 minutes to sign up for a free Match account. Here are the steps I went through:

Step 1: Enter Information

The signup process did not take me very long, and yet it was a thorough dive into important personality and compatibility factors.

I had to answer these questions:

• Which describes you? I’m a man, I’m a woman, More Options (for 27 more gender descriptions)
• Who can we help you meet? Men, Women, Everyone
• When’s your birthday?
• What’s your ZIP code? 
• What’s your first name?
• What’s your email?
• Create your password
• How did you hear about Match?

Then there were more personal questions that weren’t required, but I chose to fill in many of them to give date prospects a good idea of what to expect.

Optional Questions: 

• How tall are you?
• How would you describe your body type?
• Have you ever been married?
• Do you have kids? 
• Do you want kids?
• What’s your highest education level?
• Do you smoke?
• Do you drink?
• What ethnicities best describe you?
• What’s your religion?
• What interests you? (Select up to 8)
• Would you date someone with kids?
• Does your ideal partner want to have kids?
• What are you looking for? (Just see what’s out there, date but nothing serious, start a serious relationship, don’t know yet.)
• Add three topics to your profile.
• Add three core values (family, respect, kindness, loyalty, compassion, etc.)

Step 2: Add Photos

I could skip this step, but then I wouldn’t be able to chat. Match users can’t send messages if they don’t have a photo. 

I found it easy to adhere to Match’s photo guidelines (nothing inappropriate makes it onto the site), so my profile photo went from pending to approved pretty much immediately upon upload.

The Match team says profiles with more than three photos are more likely to get a match.

I advise my clients to post six to eight photos on their dating profiles. I know it’s a lot, but it’s a good way to put valuable information in the hands of potential suitors.

The primary photo should be direct. That means looking straight ahead with a smile. The other photos should include a mix of full-length body shots and activity photos.

When talking about online dating photos, I always say you’re only as attractive as your least attractive photo.

In my profile, I uploaded 8 photos:

1. Primary photo (wearing red, which attracts more likes and matches)
2. A casual photo showing a romantic side
3. Full-length body shot
4. Full-length body shot in front of a pink Cadillac (this photo got the most comments)
5. Sitting on a log in Lake Tahoe in the High Sierras
6. Photo with a famous rock star (and I asked if my match could guess who it was)
7. Photo of a summer vacation in Greece
8. Casual photo on a Peek Jeep Tour in Sedona.

I steer away from adding Instagram-worthy filters that don’t show how I look IRL. 

I don’t want to be meeting a date and see the disappointed look on their face when I don’t resemble the photos in my dating profile.

When done, my profile looked like this:

My Tips for Choosing the Best Pics for Your Profile

Your profile photos need to reflect the most authentic and best version of you. No pressure! 

While selfies are all the rage and fine for Instagram, I firmly believe posting a selfie on your dating profile sends a few red flags. 

It’s not your best look because it gives so little information (or personality, for that matter). And having too many selfies could indicate you’re a bit self-absorbed. 

I also think a casual selfie doesn’t convey that you’re serious about the process.

And avoid group party photos. Group photos are confusing, and it signifies that you might just be out for a fun night on the town, instead of a lifetime of love.

Finally, I strongly recommend against posting photos of your children, grandchildren, or anything identifying where you live. You’re on the internet, so be cautious about what you share.

Step 3: Verify the Profile via Text Message

To complete my profile, Match asked for my phone number and verified it with a live text message with a four-digit code. This step is mandatory to ensure I’m real and not setting up duplicate accounts. 

Note: Only mobile numbers can be used to verify your profile. Landlines, VOIP, or Google Voice numbers cannot be used.

Shortly after, I received a profile verification badge that tells visitors I’m Match-verified.

Optional Step 4: Adjusting My Settings

I went to my settings (by clicking the gear icon on my profile) to enable email notifications. I chose to receive member recommendations in an email once a week. I said yes to sending me updates about Likes, Super Likes, and new messages in push notifications. 

I made sure to toggle “yes” to receiving promotional discounts now and then. I love a good deal.

Choosing to Pay for Premium

Once my profile was complete, I chose to sign up for Match’s premium Platinum Plan, which I believe is the best overall plan.

The plan has changed from the last time I used it. While some of the old popular features remain in this plan, others I’ve enjoyed have moved into the highest tier, the Diamond Plan.

If you are serious about finding a partner and your budget allows, it would be wise to start with the Diamond plan. The lower-level Bronze, Silver, and Platinum plans limit the number of Boosts and Super Likes allotted. 

I decided to pay $6.99 for a boost. This gave me an hour of extra visibility on Match. I made sure to make this move in the evening when traffic is at its peak.

My extra boost resulted in over 30 views, 20 intros, and 40 likes. I’d say it was worth it!

Pro Tip: I recommend using your free boosts and saving your paid boosts for Sunday and Monday nights because those are peak times on dating apps.

The way the pricing works incentivizes paying for a subscription. Purchasing the upsell features à la carte will add up to a higher cost than splurging for the highest membership level (just remember to turn off auto-renewal).

Free Limited Chatting on Match

It’s completely free to set up a profile, add photos, and browse members on Match. You can favorite profiles and send likes for free as well.

Match offers some chatting for basic members. You can send one daily intro message, and all mutual matches can communicate with each other. But the caveat there is you can’t see who’s liked you, so you might be waiting quite a while for a match to come along.

As a free member, you’re in the passenger seat, waiting on paid members (who can see likes) to make all the decisions.

That’s why if a premium membership is in your budget, I strongly advise going that route.

Paid Features I Enjoyed

Paying unlocks these features:

I would say upgrading to a premium plan is essential to get the most out of Match. I upgraded right off. I’m not there to look — I’m there to chat! 

I also suggest watching your inbox because Match will send emails offering discounts and special promotions. I saw one for 20% off the Platinum plan. 

How Much the Four Memberships Cost

Match requires members to step it up. You want to get the most from online messaging? You’ve got to pay for it. 

You pay to see who’s viewed you and get read receipts for your messages. But mostly you pay as a show of good faith to matches. 

In my opinion, a free membership could send a bad message that you may not be serious about finding a relationship. Or that you may not have logged on in quite a while. Having a premium membership on Match helps you stand out in a good way. 

The four paid membership options are Bronze, Silver, Platinum, and Diamond.

Bronze Membership

As the cheapest plan, Bronze Membership doesn’t have a whole lot of features. It removes the caps on likes and rewinds, and that’s basically it.

This plan doesn’t cost much, and a few bucks a month is easy to fit into practically anyone’s budget, so it could be a good baby step for newcomers unsure how much they want to invest in online dating.

Silver Membership

One step up from Bronze, the Silver Membership only adds one feature, but it’s a good one: Seeing who likes your profile.

The benefit of seeing who likes you means you can create matches simply by reviewing one list and sending a like to anyone who strikes you as compatible.

Platinum Membership

Platinum is billed at the most popular plan on Match. And I can see why. It offers the features I’ve covered so far as well as ethnicity search filters, message receipts, and other premium perks.

I see a lot of value in the Platinum plan, and I especially enjoy seeing read receipts on my messages because it gives me a little inside look into what the other person is doing or thinking.

Diamond (Top Tier) Membership

Diamond is the best Match has to offer. It comes with so many features that can help singles navigate the online dating world.

I like the anti-ghosting notifications to help keep chats moving, and I also think weekly boosts would work well to get eyes on my profile without my having to do anything.

Add-Ons and Power-Ups

Match has extra features on top of everything, and I like using them for a little extra help.

Give Yourself a Boost. The Boost Feature ranks your profile at the top of search results for 60 minutes. It can result in four times more views on average (this according to Match calcs). 

I recommend boosting your profile on Sunday or Monday evenings, between 6 and 9 PM.

Boost Cost: 

• 1 boost for $6.99
• 5 boosts for $5.00/each ($25)
• 10 boosts for $4.00/each ($40)

Super Likes. This helps profiles get noticed in the digital swiping playfield. Super Likes on Match are three times more likely to result in a match than a regular like.

Super Likes Cost:

•  5 Super Likes for $4/each ($20)
•  12 Super Likes for $3.33/each ($39.95)
•  3o for $2/each ($60)

Private Mode. Selecting Private Mode means my profile won’t be visible to anyone I haven’t chatted up first.

Private Mode Cost:

• $9.75/month for four months ($38.99)

Pros & Cons

Match brings a lot of value to the table (especially if you’re spending money on subscription plans or upgraded features), but it has some downsides to consider as well.

I wish Match had an easier customer service experience by phone because I prefer to call and talk to a person when I have an issue with a website. However, I understand the logistics there can be challenging, and the online help is pretty fast (I got an email within 24 hours).

How the Matching Works

Now that I’m officially a member of Match, it’s time to log on and start matching. 

I like to practice daily usage. The more active I am, the easier it is for the algorithms to see my habits and improve my match recommendations. 

Dating apps will reward more active members, so opening the app a few times a day is the way to go. 

It’s straightforward once you get the hang of it. The trick is to stay organized and engaged in the process. When I access the platform, I see six tabs where I can view profiles.

1. The Matches Tab

The first thing I suggest is to view the lower navigation bar and click on Matches. It will show if anyone you liked has liked you back. Mine started out empty, but that just meant I needed to like more profiles.

This tab shows my Active Conversations list where I can easily view new messages, see all current mutual matches, and scroll down to the archived messages to see if anyone is waiting on me to chat. 

I find it helpful that Match indicates if it’s “your turn” to reply to a message. I need that gentle reminder sometimes so I don’t accidentally ghost someone.

2. Who’s Liked You Tab

The next thing on the lower navigation menu is my favorite: A list of people who like me! 

The Who’s Liked You tab is just what it sounds like. As a premium member, I can view my likes and the intro messages they sent.

I always take the time to view each profile, read the introductory message, and consider carefully if this is the right fit. Sending a like will open up a whole conversation, so it’s a big decision. 

I know some people feel the urge to like everybody they encounter just in case, but that’s not a very targeted or efficient approach. I say be choosy. I only respond if things feel right.

3. Likes Tab

When I click the Likes icon (heart), I can keep track of the profiles I have liked. 

It’s a great reminder to help me decide who to message. If the like doesn’t spark anything, I think the next logical step is to send a quick hello.

4. Who’s Viewed You Tab

The “Who’s Viewed You” button in the lower navigation has always been helpful to me.

This tab encourages me to take a deeper look at those individuals who have seen my profile, either from a search or a boost, but didn’t take the time to write.

This is a tab for second chances. Maybe someone in there is deserving of attention. Maybe if I send a like or message, they’ll give me a second look.

5. Discover Tab

I don’t have to rely on Match to bring me profiles. I can conduct a standard search to find attractive prospects. It’s a slower route, but it gives me more control.

The Discover tab has a lot to offer. I can search in All, Those Nearby, or Dating Intent (as in “looking for something serious”).

Only Diamond members can search for New Members and Subscribers.

I recommend visiting the Discover tab consistently and frequently (ideally every single day) and liking at least one profile. 

Liking profiles is essentially the only way to move forward because only matches can chat with one another. After I like a profile, I can see if that person has also liked me. If they have, we’ll move over to the mutual match queue where we can communicate. 

If they haven’t liked me, I’ll have the opportunity to send an introductory message that will appear in their likes (which only paid members can see). 

This is similar but a slower process than swiping on apps like Tinder. The goal is to ensure quality matches and a safe experience. I think it’s successful at that.

I try to view 20 to 40 profiles in a sitting. I’m relying on my gut to decide to Like, Super Like, or Skip. This helps the matching algorithms create a pattern and recommend more people I’m more likely to be interested in. 

I also believe in sending 5 to 10 messages a day to really show I want to connect.

When viewing a profile, I liked that I could see the member’s Subscriber Badge, and if I scrolled to the bottom of their profile, I could see if they chose to list their dating intentions. If they didn’t, that’s a bit of a yellow flag in my eyes.

Caveat: I did hit a lot of paywalls, even as a Premium Member. Each time I liked someone, a pop-up appeared asking if I’d want to upgrade to Priority Likes in the Diamond level.

6. Highlights Tab

The Highlights can be found on the lower menu with the icon in the shape of a star. These extra compatible matches are top-tier, so they require Super Likes. 

The highlighted matches typically expire within the week.

I only have a limited number of Super Likes per month, so this game is about quality over quantity.

If I’m out of Super Likes, I can either purchase additional Super Likes or wait for them to replenish.

Highlights are divided into the following: 

• Standout Members (from algorithm suggestions)

• Shared Core Values (from the three you selected on your profiles)

• Compatible Dating Intent (from the one you posted on your profile)

Highlights is a pay-to-play formula for every membership level. 

Considering the Platinum level only offers you one free Super Like a week, and the Diamond plan offers you three Super Likes a week, if you spend time in the Highlights section, it will cost you more than the price of your membership to respond to all of the profiles listed there.

User Demographics

According to the latest data released by Match, here is the demographic breakdown of their users.

By Age:

• Under 20: Minimal since the required age to join is 18+
• 21-30: 25.5%
• 30-49: 48.6%
• 50+: 26.5% and growing

By Orientation:

• 85% of Match users are straight
• 15% of Match users identify as LGBTQ+

Data Breakdown

User Base: All Singles

Match has over 7 million paid members and caters its services to heterosexual and LGBTQ+ singles of all ages.

Popularity: 39.7 Million

Match, with over 15 million active users, is one of the most popular dating sites and apps in the world.

Gender Ratio: M: 49% – F: 51%

Unlike most dating sites, Match's gender ratio is pretty even with 49% of users being men and 51% being women.

The average age of a Match user is 36. 

But I will say the app is growing in popularity in the 50-64 demographic. And Pew Research Center reports 31% of online daters have used Match. So if you’re over 50, this is a great option.

Safety Tools

Dating safety is a priority at Match, and all of us in the dating industry take safety seriously. 

Through a combination of dating safety advice and verification tools, Match’s goal is to help make the dating experience free of fakers, lies, and harassment.

Signup Verification Steps

SMS Confirmation: One of the first things Match asks is to provide an email address and mobile phone number. Once entered, Match sent me a four-digit code via text message. This proved I am not a bot but a real person.

Verification: Match verifies every profile and photo every time it’s updated.

Safety Pledge: Once I’d had my profile verified, a pop-up window appeared when I logged in asking me to read and accept the Match Safety Pledge.

I clicked “I accept” to confirm I am indeed watching out for my safety and won’t make the mistake of sending money to a scammer online.

The Safety Center

The Safety Center Icon is a shield with a heart, located at the top right-hand side of my profile. 

I would click on the shield if I wanted to report someone, block a profile, or read Match’s safety tips, which are the following:

• Never send money or share financial information to a Match.
• Protect your personal information (home and work address).
• Keep your conversations on the app until you know someone better. If someone pressures you to move to another email or messaging service, say no firmly.
• Be wary of long-distance or overseas matches. 
• Meet in public.

These tips should be standard operating procedure for anyone online dating, and it’s a good reminder to be vigilant.

Reporting Profiles

I never felt harassed or threatened by anyone during my time on Match. But if I had, I’d let the moderators know to look into it. The reporting system is the most vital line of defense against creeps.

Click on the three dots on the top right of the profile. The pop-up will say Report, Block, Remove, or Cancel. You will be asked if you’re sure. 

Choosing to block someone means slamming the digital door in their face. They can’t contact me or view my profile. Remove them, and they won’t appear in search results. Reporting is like calling the online dating cops to investigate.

Clicking on “Report” took me to the Report a Concern page, where I was asked to indicate my reason:

• Inappropriate profile (vulgar text).
• Inappropriate photo or video.
• Fake profile/scammer.
• Inappropriate behavior.
• Under the age of 18.
• Other reasons, like they’re married or lying.

It is a quick and easy process, and it’s necessary for online dating safety.

Private Mode

As soon as it was approved, any Match member could see my profile – unless I decided to hide it from view. If I were temporarily off the market or feeling shy, I could choose to pay for Private Mode, formerly known as Incognito Mode. 

Private Mode hides a Match profile from the general pop – it’s only visible to the people you’re actively chatting up.

My Tips for Staying Safe on Match 

As an online dating expert, I am committed to safety first and foremost. Here are some dating safety tips I strongly recommend.

• Avoid profiles that only have one photo or a blurry photo.

• Speak on the phone or video to see if you have chemistry – and if they match their profile photos.

• Become a cyber-sleuth by typing your date’s full name or phone number into a Google search.
• Check your date’s social media feeds, if public, to see if their recent photos match their profile photos.

• Avoid late-night dates after 9pm. Instead suggest a happy hour date earlier in the evening or an activity such as going to a museum or art gallery.

• Don’t go to your date’s home on your first few dates.

• Order a mocktail instead of a cocktail, or limit your alcoholic content to one beverage and drink water in between sips.

• Enlist a friend to be your off-site safety buddy, and let them know who you’re doing on a date with and where you’re meeting your date. Send a text to let them know you’re OK.

• Trust your intuition. If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, gracefully end the date, thank them for their time, and let them know you didn’t feel you had enough in common to move forward. 

Is Match Really Worth It?

There will always be a place for premium dating services for singles seeking serious relationships. Match, as the familiar and trusted household name, is backed by big technology in the dating space. I’m certain it will continue to thrive.

While you can join as a free member, the best results typically come to those who pay for Match.

You want to know if it’ll be successful for you, but that isn’t entirely up to the platform. You’ve got to do the work to get results. You have to write a killer bio. You have to respond quickly to matches and make good choices. 

A free membership limits your chatting abilities, which some may say is really frustrating. I find it a call to action. You get what you pay for.

If a premium membership is in your budget, I strongly suggest going that route to get more visibility and options.

I think Match is well worth it, but you don’t have to take my word for it. Look at the numbers to decide for yourself:

Match By the Numbers

It’s Very Popular. Match ranks #3 in brand awareness, according to Statista. It’s only outranked by Tinder and eharmony. Globally, Match is the 8th most downloaded dating app. They report over 75 million users around the world.

Not the Most Downloaded App, But Up There. The app has been downloaded more than 27 million times. It has 40 million monthly users and 30 million daily users. 

• On Google Play: 10+ million downloads

• In the Apple Store: 17+ million downloads

Match does not specify exactly the number of downloads it has. However, the company does report the number of paid users (as a public company is required to do), and the paid users total 14,607,000 (down from the high of over 16 million paid users in 2022). 

Of course, as we know, the overall number of users is dramatically higher since they have many more free members.

Gender Ratio Is Even-Ish.  Match has traditionally had a larger male population. Statista reports that Match’s membership is 67% men, 33% women.

Success Stats Are Encouraging. More than 100 million matches have been made on the platform. Match reported in 2014 that its success stories have resulted in 1 million babies. Considering that was over a decade ago, we have to assume that number is much higher today.

The Good Stuff

• The quality of singles on Match is excellent for my demographic (suburban woman over 60).
• Match moderates photos and profiles, which means nothing too racy will pass. 
• I like that I can see if a person is a paid subscriber and what their dating intentions are.
• I received promising matches, and I believed they wanted to chat with me.

The Not-So-Good Stuff

• I found the different membership levels confusing at times. And the paywalls were everywhere.
• I could hardly click anywhere without seeing ads to upgrade or purchase an upsell. It was overkill to me. 
• Trying to understand the variety of features and tools available can be frustrating and overwhelming for beginners.

Match Is a Household Name – For Good Reason 

As one of the first online dating sites, Match.com was a pioneer in the industry and set precedents for how a digital matchmaker should operate.

Now it has become one of the biggest dating pools for grown-ups. 

I find Match to be reliable for love connections. It is easily one of the most influential dating services in the world (or at least the 24 countries it reaches).

Match is designed to help singles find matches (hence the name), not just for a single night but for forging relationships over the long haul.

Match’s 30 years in the industry earn it a lot of praise in my book. I suggest you give the platform a try.