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Long before swiping was a thing, there was Match. It launched in 1995 and is one of the original online dating sites, with a reputation for helping people find serious relationships. But with so many free apps around now, is match dating still worth it, and how does Match.com actually work?
In this review we explain how Match works in the UK, what you can do for free, what a subscription gets you, who it suits best and how to make the most of it. If you are looking for something more meaningful than a quick swipe, read on.
What Is Match?
Match is a dating website and app for people who want to meet someone special. It is owned by Match Group, which also runs Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid and Plenty of Fish, but Match itself has a different feel. It is more traditional, with detailed profiles, proper search tools and members who are generally looking for a committed relationship.
Match is particularly popular with people in their thirties, forties, fifties and beyond, and with people who have tried swipe apps and want something a little more considered.
How Does Match.com Work?
Here is how the process works from sign-up to first date.
Sign up and answer some questions
You join on the website or the app. Match asks for the basics, such as your gender, who you are looking for, your age and where you live, then asks more about your lifestyle, interests and what you want in a partner.
Build your profile
Your profile includes photos, a written description and details such as whether you have children, whether you want them, your education and your hobbies. Match profiles tend to be more detailed than those on swipe apps, which gives people more to go on.
Find people
There are several ways to meet people on Match:
- Search: filter members by age, distance, interests and more, then browse at your own pace.
- Daily matches: Match suggests a small selection of people each day based on your profile and activity.
- Discover: a quicker, swipe-style way to like or pass on people.
- Likes: you can like someone’s profile or photo to show interest.
Message and meet
When you find someone you like, you can send a like or a message. In most cases, messaging freely is part of the paid subscription, which we cover below. Once you are chatting, Match encourages you to take things offline when you both feel ready.
Is Match Free?
You can join Match for free. Free members can create a profile, search, view their daily matches and send likes. What you usually cannot do on a free account is message people as much as you like or read every message you receive.
A paid subscription normally adds:
- Unlimited messaging with other members
- Seeing who has liked you and viewed your profile
- Extra features to boost your visibility
- Read receipts and other extras, depending on the plan
Match regularly changes its packages and offers, and longer subscriptions usually cost less per month. Check the current prices and the terms carefully before you pay, including whether the plan renews automatically.
How Does Matching Work on Match?
Match uses the information in your profile, the preferences you set and the way you use the site to suggest people you might like. If you often view profiles of people who love the outdoors, for example, you are likely to see more of them. This is why it pays to fill in your profile properly and to be active. If you are curious about how matching works across different apps, our guide to how matching works explains it in plain English, including how Hinge does it.
Match Dating Pros and Cons
Here is an honest look at the good and the not so good.
- Pro: members are often looking for something serious.
- Pro: detailed profiles make it easier to judge compatibility.
- Pro: strong search filters if you know what you want.
- Pro: popular with people over 30, so less of a youthful crowd.
- Con: you usually need to pay to message freely.
- Con: the free version can feel limited.
- Con: as with any dating site, not every profile is active, so look for people who have logged in recently.
Who Is Match Best For?
Match is a good choice if you:
- Want a long-term relationship rather than something casual
- Are in your thirties or older
- Prefer reading profiles to swiping through photos
- Are happy to pay for a service if it means meeting more committed people
If you are younger, on a tight budget or just want to see who is out there, a free app such as Tinder, Hinge or Plenty of Fish might suit you better to begin with.
How to Get the Most Out of Match
If you decide to give Match a go, these tips will help you get value from it.
Complete your profile fully
Match relies on your profile to suggest good matches. Fill in every section, add at least four clear photos and write a description that shows your personality. Our guide on how to write a dating profile walks you through it.
Use the free version first
Spend a week browsing and sending likes on a free account. If you see plenty of people you would like to talk to, subscribing makes more sense.
Be active
Logging in regularly helps you appear in more searches and daily matches. It also shows other members you are serious.
Write personal messages
Mention something specific from their profile and ask a friendly question. It is the easiest way to stand out.
Do not take silence personally
Not everyone will reply, and that is normal on every dating site. If a promising conversation goes quiet, our advice on what to do when a match stops replying will help you handle it gracefully.
Is Match Safe?
Match has reporting and blocking tools and safety advice, and most members are genuine. Still, use the same common sense you would anywhere online. Keep personal information private at first, chat on the platform before moving to your phone, and meet somewhere public for a first date. Tell a friend your plans and never send money to someone you have met online, whatever the reason.
Match Compared With Other Dating Sites
Here is how Match stacks up against some of the alternatives.
- Match vs eharmony: both suit people looking for something serious. eharmony leans on a detailed compatibility questionnaire, while Match gives you more freedom to search and browse yourself.
- Match vs Hinge: Hinge is app-only, free to use and popular with people in their late twenties and thirties. Match has more of a website feel and tends to attract a slightly older crowd.
- Match vs Plenty of Fish: POF lets you message for free and has a huge membership. Match usually needs a subscription to chat, but members are often more focused on commitment.
- Match vs Tinder: Tinder is fast, photo-led and free. Match is slower and more detailed, which many people prefer when they want something lasting.
What to Write on Your Match Profile
Match profiles give you space to write, so use it well.
- Start with a hook. Open with something that sums you up, such as a passion, a recent adventure or what makes you laugh.
- Share your everyday life. Your job, your weekends and the people who matter to you help others picture life with you.
- Say what you are looking for. Be warm and positive, focusing on the qualities you value rather than a list of rules.
- Keep it balanced. A few short paragraphs are better than an essay.
- Check spelling and tone. Read it out loud before you publish it.
A Brief History of Match
Match was one of the first dating websites anywhere, launching in the United States in the mid-1990s when most people had never heard of online dating. It grew into a global brand with a dedicated UK site, and its parent company went on to buy or create many of the biggest dating apps around today.
That long history matters. Match has had decades to refine how it suggests people, and many UK couples who met online in the 2000s and 2010s met there. It has also adapted, adding a mobile app, video chat and swipe-style features to keep up with newer rivals, while keeping the detailed profiles that made it popular in the first place.
Is Match Worth It in the UK?
The honest answer is that match dating is worth it if you use it properly. Paying for a subscription and then logging in once a fortnight rarely works. If you fill in your profile, check in regularly and reach out to people you like, you give yourself a real chance. Treat it like any other way of meeting people: the effort you put in shapes what you get back.
Common Questions About Match
Is Match only for older people?
No. People of all adult ages use Match, but it is particularly popular with people over 30 who are looking for a committed relationship.
Can I message on Match for free?
Free members can create a profile, browse and send likes. Messaging freely usually needs a subscription, although Match sometimes runs offers and free communication weekends.
How do I cancel my Match subscription?
You can manage or cancel your subscription in your account settings, or through the app store if you subscribed on your phone. Check your renewal date, as many plans renew automatically.
Is Match better than free apps?
It depends on what you want. If you prefer detailed profiles and members who are serious about relationships, Match may suit you better. If you want lots of choice without paying, a free app may be the better starting point.
Match Dating: Our Verdict
Match is one of the most established names in online dating for good reason. If you want a committed relationship, prefer detailed profiles and do not mind paying for a subscription, it is well worth considering. Start with the free account, fill in your profile properly and see who is out there before you decide.
And if it is not quite right for you, there are plenty of other good options. The most important thing is finding a site where people want the same thing you do.
For more honest reviews and dating advice, explore the rest of Singles Warehouse. Got a question? Please get in touch.
