Online dating website reviews: FAQs
Online dating has many advantages
I enjoy meeting people face to face, why should I try online dating?
People use online dating for a variety of reasons. For some it’s the sheer number of other singles it gives them access to, for others it’s the convenience of being able to meet new people from the comfort and safety of their home computer.
While there are clearly advantages to online dating, it’s not for everyone. If you're unsure, familiarise yourself with the online dating process by reading our features explained section and exploring the online dating sites we've tested before signing up for a subscription.
Don't forget that the end goal of online dating is to meet your new online friends in real life, not replace the dating process altogether.
What are the odds of meeting someone I'm interested in while online dating?
In our survey of 1504 online dating website users, 71% said they had been on a date or knew someone who had been on a date with someone they'd met through an online dating site, and one in six had either had embarked upon a long term relationship as a result of online dating.
There’s no magic formula for meeting a future partner, but you can increase your chances by becoming an active member of your online dating site. Don't be afraid to get in touch with other online dating users, keep your online dating profile up-to-date and carry out regular searches for new members who may fit your preferences.
Can I remove my profile from an online dating site if I meet someone special?
You can always remove your profile
To edit or remove your online dating profile, go to the ‘My Account’ or ‘My profile’ section of the online dating website you're using.
The majority of online dating services allow you to disable your online dating profile at any time, but this does not automatically qualify you for a refund of any subscription payments you've already made.
Most subscription online dating services involve paying an up-front fee for an agreed period of access, followed by periodic automatic renewals. It’s during this renewal period that you'll usually be able to cancel.
Some online dating sites retain personal data including photographs and preferences for a set amount of time after you have disabled your online dating account. If you want to leave permanently, you may need to contact the online dating company directly to request your data is deleted.
Is online dating safe?
Online dating is very safe if you practice the same common sense rules as you would when meeting a new person in real life. Read our staying safe section for tips on personal safety.
When making an online payment, ensure the security icon – the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol – is showing in the bottom of your browser window before sending your card details.
Find out more about online safety in our internet safety guide.
What’s winking and poking?
Break the ice with a wink or poke
These are tools you can use to break the ice or identify yourself to another online dating site user. Winking and poking can be a useful way of getting in touch without sending an email, or even renew contact with someone you've already met on an online dating site.
If you decide to get in touch this way, the other online dating site user will typically receive a simple email or alert informing them they have been winked at and by whom.
Why do I need to post a photo on my online dating profile?
Uploading a photo to an online dating site is usually optional, but most online dating sites report that member profiles with images typically receive much more attention than those without.
In fact, online dating site Match reports that men are 14 times more likely to look at a profile with a photo, while women are 8.5 times more likely to check out men who include an image. Overall, Match claims that those who post photos on their online dating site profiles get 15 times more attention than those without, and this trend is reported by a number of online dating sites.
Do remember that it’s not a beauty contest, most people simply like to see who they’re talking to or reading about. Read our advice for choosing an image on our 'Online dating tips' page.
What’s the difference between being a member and a subscriber of an online dating site?
Everyone who sets up a profile on an online dating site is a member, while those who are paying for the service are subscribers. Most online dating sites allow anyone to be a member, but reserve access to key functionality for paying subscribers only.
I'm going on holiday – can I let online dating site members know that I won't be able to respond to them?
Some larger online dating sites have an absence reporting system that can alert other members who try to get in touch that you're temporarily unavailable. This feature can usually be found in the My Account section of the online dating website or through its Help pages.
If your online dating site doesn't offer this, consider adding a short note to your online dating profile saying that you're unable to reply to emails ‘at the moment’ but will respond soon. For security purposes you shouldn't say you are away or give dates when you will not be at home.
If your holiday or absence will be for a longer period, temporarily disable your online dating profile, but keep the account active.
How can I tell if the online dating site I've registered with is the best for me?
This is really down to personal preference, but if you're worried the online dating site isn't working for you, start by taking a good look at the responses you're receiving.
If you're not getting many responses or the ‘wrong’ types of people are getting in touch, take an objective look at your online dating profile. Check if you're coming across in the way you would like to be perceived. To encourage more responses, you may like to loosen any strict criteria you have used to describe your ideal partner.
If your online dating website searches aren't yielding many results, you may need to use loosen your search criteria. If some requirements are non-negotiable, such as location, try an online dating site with a larger membership.
Don't forget the vast majority of online dating sites enable you to try out their service free of charge, so it’s worth testing a few before you settle on one online dating website to use regularly.
I don't want to receive online dating messages to my regular email inbox, what should I do?
Set up a free web-based email account with a service such as Hotmail, Yahoo or Google mail, and submit this email address as your point of contact for messages.
Which? has tested free webmail services, find top rated webmail accounts in our Webmail review.
Where can I find specific types of dating websites ?
There’s a huge number of online dating services that cater specifically for certain groups or interests. Both Yahoo and Dmoz Open Directory Project offer detailed listings of different services.