Overall Results:
In the chart below you will see the overall results for Match.com, compared to the average of all 10 reviewed dating websites.
| Average 10 Sites |  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score (1-10) | 6.89 | 9.23 |
| Search/Find Members (1-10 Score) | 6.80 | 7.65 |
| Communication with Other Members (1-10 Score) | 6.16 | 5.91 |
| Free Registration (1-10 Score) | 5.74 | 7.50 |
| Prices (1-10 Score) | 5.61 | 5.87 |
| Number of Monthly Visitors | 2,321,000 | 7,100,000 |
Match scored 1st place out of all the reviewed sites. It rated highly in all features, and scored first place in “Free Registration” and “Number of Visitors,” and second place in “Search/Find Members.” The most remarkable aspect of this site is its number of visitors or active members. Match has twice as many visitors or active members than the second best rated site. The high traffic increases the probability of finding someone special. For this reason, Match has a special 6-month match guarantee (only available with a 6-month subscription), which states the following:
Find Someone Special In 6 Months Or Get 6 Months FREE!
See the Overall Test Results for All Sites
Free Registration:
Like most dating websites, Match.com offers free registration. This allows you to fill out a profile and view other members’ profiles. As a non-paying member, you can wink at a member for free. 
You may also want to try a 7-day free trial. Just remember that you will be automatically billed if you don’t cancel before your trial is over.
Type of Dating Website:
Match.com is a match-based dating website geared towards heterosexuals, gays, and lesbians. Match.com shows you potential matches based on your zipcode and the answers you give in your profile.
Filling Out Your Online Dating Profile:
You will be asked a number of things including your birthday, relationship status, gender, ethnicity, astrological sign, height, eye and hair color, body type, exercises you enjoy, what you like to do in your free time, favorite places, movies, exercise habits, smoking, drinking, occupation, children, income, pets, languages, education, favorite vacation spot, and a number of other novel questions to help someone get to know you a bit better.
You also have the option of describing more about your background, values, and occupation in your own words. Describe yourself and your ideal match. Write a catchy headline! Don’t forget the chocolate syrup.
Seeing Other Singles Profiles:
Match.com has something called the “Daily 5,” which shows you five of your most compatible matches picked daily, granted you have five compatible matches. If you don’t have five compatible matches daily, then you might want to widen the ranges of some of your preferences. While seeing profiles, you can tell Match.com if they sparked an interest. If so, Match.com will send these members an email of introduction to let them know they caught your attention. If none of the options appeal to you, Match.com will tailor your new matches based on the ones you’ve chosen and rejected. Don’t worry. Members will not be notified when you give them the silent cyber boot.
You can email, wink, IM (granted s/he’s online), add someone to your favorites, block him/her, see others like her/him. You will see a chart of compatibility showing how compatible the two of you are right on his or her profile.
Preferences for Your Dating Profile:
You may choose to specify the age range and location of the partner you are seeking, as well as eye and hair color, body type, ethnicity, religion, languages spoken, education level, job, income, salary range, smoking, drinking, marital status, has kids, or wants kids. You can also choose “no preference,” to any of the above options, or “must have” and “nice to have” for the body type of your choice. A nice option is the ability to search using a keyword. Keyword searches allow you to find every member close to you who practices yoga or describes themselves or their partner as “androgynous,” for example.
Match.com provides dating advice from award-winning journalist and author, Whitney Casey, so you are always in the know.
Online Dating Paid Subscription:
A paid subscription allows you to send and receive emails, see who’s viewed your profile, manage your connections, and flirt via Instant Message. Upgrade by paypal, credit/debit card, or by phone. Your subscription will be automatically renewed unless you notify Match.com otherwise. The prices are as follows:
- 6 months for $15.99 per month, extra features, includes guarantee
- 6 months for $14.99 per month, includes guarantee
- 3 months for $16.99 per month
- 1 month for $29.99 per month
What I Liked Most About Match
I liked the quick reference compatibility chart on each person’s profile. Some dating websites are rather mysterious in what dimensions they use to match two people. Sure there are the physical and practical dimensions of matching, but some of the more intimate matching information is lost in translation. Match.com allows you to see what you have in common with a person right on his or her profile.
What I Liked Least About Match
I couldn’t find fault with Match.com. It is a relatively low-frills easy-to-use website. What is there not to like?
An example on how the sites matches members to other members:
