Match has been in existence since 1995 and is one of the oldest Australian dating sites. It has over 250,000 members from Australia with 100,000 active members on a weekly basis. Globally the site has over 60 million members. Match despite being the most popular mainstream dating site in the UK and the U.S. isn’t the largest in Australia which perhaps says something about the independent streak of Aussies. It is growing in popularity ‘down under’ though especially in the main cities where regular social events are provided for members.
Match.com can be accessed in 38 languages and in over 28 countries. They have a personality test designed by renowned biologist – Dr. Helen Fisher. Based on their scientific calculations members should expect to receive five-match suggestions through email. The site is open to straight, lesbian or gay singles. The signup process is simple and should take you around 5 minutes. An outstanding feature during the signup process is the deal breaker. Here you highlight qualities that you would not compromise on in a partner. It could be religion, smoking or children.
Like most dating sites you join the site as a free member, but due to the limited features, you need to upgrade to get any meaningful benefit from the site. Still, it’s not a bad idea to browse before you commit. The fees are, however, affordable. Match also guarantees an extra free six months if you have not found your match within the first six months of joining.
The site has an App that you can download for iOS and Android. This ensures you never miss a match when on the go. The site offers various features for interacting with other members like forums, messaging and winks. Another cool feature introduced on the site is Events Programme – Match organizes multiple events in Australian cities, and this gives singles a chance to interact with each other. The Australian dating scene is well developed with numerous sites operating in the country; it is not that hard finding a date in cities like Sidney or Melbourne. If you are looking for an improved social life with a good choice of dates or are seeking a long-term relationship, then Match is a decent choice for you.
Gender demographics Payment can be done through credit cards or PayPal
● The average age of users is 20-30 years
● Over 60 million members worldwide
● 250,000 members in Australia
● 56% men and 44% women
Subscription Rates
Subscription Plan
Price
Total
3 months – Standard
48.42 AUD
145.25 AUD
3 months – Best value
52.57 AUD
157.69 AUD
6 months – Standard
37.34 AUD
224.04 AUD
6 months – Best value
38.72 AUD
232.34 AUD
The signup process is very user-friendly as you are guided through the three-part process. In the first part, you will be required to fill out basic details about yourself like age, body type, smoker or non-smoker, education, height, interests among others. The next part deals with what you are looking for in a mate. Here you can include things like do you mind a smoker or a person with children. You can highlight some characteristics that you cannot compromise on.
The last part titled “ In your own words” is a short description of who you are and what you are looking for in a partner. I like this bit as it gives members a bit of artistic license, regardless of how sophisticated the matching process is, you can often get a real sense of the essence of someone from this. For some, it’s a bit daunting for some, but the section only requires 200 characters. You can read samples to get useful tips on writing a great description about yourself. There is also a profile tagline – describe yourself in a few words.
Dating can be a numbers game, and there is a decent probability of finding a suitable date on the site due to a large number of subscribers especially for city dwellers. Do ensure that you fill out all the details on your profile to increase your odds. Some profiles can be a bit sparse with information and, unlike eHarmony, it not a particularly onerous process to complete your Match profile.
Once your profile is active, you can make contact with other members through a wink, chat or email. However, you cannot send a message to another member unless you upgrade your account. You can add up to a whopping 26 photos to your profile. Dr. Helen Fisher has carefully crafted the personality tests on the site; they use a set of scientific criteria to match members. The match suggestions are based on your interactions on site, profile preferences, and behavioral tests. This ensures that the matches sent to you closely resemble your personal references. You can always edit your profile if you feel it does not present your best qualities. After reading a few impressive member profiles, you may need to adjust your profile description to increase your odds of finding a date. Singles on Match are not restricted to just straight people, but it extends to gay and lesbians.
The search feature is conveniently located on the top bar. Besides the five-match suggestions, users can search for other members by clicking on the reverse match tool. Here you get to examine those who were searching for you. The mutual match enables you to seek each other while the advanced search allows you to customize your search based on factors like background, age, interests, lifestyle among others. The site main means of communication is email. They use email to send you suggestions with a screenshot of the match about me page. You also have the daily six feature where Match presents suggestions to you. You can then click whether you are interested or not. Should you find someone you, like you will be prompted to make connections.
The site has an upgradable search feature called Match Affinity. The feature enables you to take a scientific approach to find a match. Working through the profile questionnaire is free, but you are charged extra fees to use the results. This feature means that is you aren’t getting the quality of compatible matches you anticipated then you can increase your prospects here rather than try eHarmony who use a similar means of matching.
Match is a site for different kinds of relationships – casual and long-term. You can also sign up for a gay or lesbian match. The site operates on a global level, and this makes it handy for those who travel a lot. You can easily log in to your website and find a match near you. The average of members is between 20 and 30 years with more males than females. The site guarantees that you will find a match and if you don’t they will give you a free month subscription if you do not find someone within the first six months.
You can get into match forums and interact with other members. You never know – you can find someone you like there. There is also an active blog where you can read about dating as well as watch some interesting videos. Match holds some special events in over 21 cities in Australia. This is an excellent opportunity to meet new singles and interact with them face to face. You also get to have some fun with like-minded individuals. Being one of the oldest dating sites online the site has built faithful followers and a good reputation of successful matches. Match is also visible in various social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and this helps you interact with active members. You can also use the social media platforms to put across any queries to the site administrators.
Like most dating sites you log in as a free member and then choose to upgrade your account. As a free member, you can post a profile photo, take the free personality test and browse other members details. To send unlimited messages, wink at other members and get more matches you will need to upgrade to the premium account. If you want to make the best of your subscriptions choose the six-month plan. The site will automatically renew your membership unless you cancel it before the expiry of the subscription period. If you don’t want auto-renew, it is a good idea to go into your account details and de-select the option as soon as you join. You can always select again if you feel you need more time on the site. You can boost your visibility to other members for an extra fee — there moments that your profile can be used for various Match advertising campaigns. The advertising team is very aggressive to get new members; advertising with them dramatically increases your odds.
Today’s dating sites come with mobile Apps and Match is no exception. Match AU App is available for both Android and iOS. The app layout is friendly and easy to use. You can access most of the site’s features on it and respond to messages the moment you receive them. You can view profiles and send winks or emails through the app. The App has received positive reviews on Google App store with many users praising it for its ease of use.
The site is easy to navigate with a simple sign up process. Match site is designed in such a way that you fill out your personal details in stages – prevents you from living unfilled sections. The match, like and message inbox are strategically located on the top bar of the homepage for easy access. The site uses blue and grey colors for the fonts and a white background that enhances visibility. Match communicates a lot through email. You will be sent an email with five match suggestions each day. You also get a screenshot of the Match about me section. This helps you decide whether to flirt or send a message quickly. The page layout on the page makes it easy to access most of the site features. You can launch the live chat on the right side of your page. For those who have difficulty uploading their photos you can send them by mail and the site administrators will scan them for you and attach them to your profile. You can also log in through your Facebook account and save some time. Overall the site is professional, devoid annoying ads and features clearly laid out.
You can log in through your Facebook account or email. You will have the Facebook verification badge once the account is verified. The feature is optional which means there is a high likelihood of finding fake profiles. Match does inform users on the need to protect their private data and avoid sharing them with strangers. You can block annoying members or report any suspicious activity to the site administrators. In our Match review, we would recommend the site administrators to include more measures to detect fake profiles.
Match has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page where you can find solutions to your queries. There are often delays when you are waiting for a response from the customer care representatives. The Match AU lacks a phone number, and it is hard finding their email address. The contact information and customer service need improvement. The inclusion of a live chat would speed up customer queries. The site is active in various social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter, and you can send any complaints or concerns there.
Pros
• Fun activities for singles like forums
• Many contacts in Australia and abroad
• Affordable pricing
• Simple, clean and easy to use site
• Events Programme to help singles interact with each other
Cons
• Weak verification process encourages fake profiles
• Poor customer service
• Zoosk
• RSVP
The site has a global footing, which increases the chances of meeting new members. In Australia, it has a considerable number of followers – having been one of the oldest dating sites in the country. The sign-up process is fast and straightforward, and you are guided through it. Match uses a scientific matchmaking search feature that involves several personality tests answered by members, your interaction with members on the site and this results in you getting six-match suggestion each day. The site layout is simple and easy to use. You will find most of your tools well placed on your homepage. Their premium account offers excellent value for money.
There is little you can do with the free membership, and you will want to upgrade if someone catches your eye who you’d like to message directly. The site offers little regarding security because verification of profiles is optional. This gives way to some fake profiles; however, the subscription fee necessary for messaging does weed out a lot of the more dubious individuals who like to take advantage of others. The Match events programme is an excellent way for singles to socialize and connect. You can find dating tips on their blog. The deal breaker is a great way to narrow down your search to a set of preferred qualities in a partner. You also get forums and messaging services to communicate with other members. Their App has a clean layout, and this makes it easy to operate the site features. It is a great way to communicate when on the move.
In essence, Match is a sensible and increasingly popular option for Australians looking for dates and long-term relationships.