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Archer Dating App Review 2024

A dating app for gay men with social media features

Laura Jane Bradbury

In a Nutshell

Archer is a dating app for gay, queer, and bisexual men that offers free and unlimited instant messaging and photo sharing. It has social features such as tags and an Instagram-style layout to display profiles. The health and dating resources are also useful. While video calls or chat rooms would be a good addition, safety features like selfie verification and photo blurring are a definite plus.

pros

  • Photo verification
  • Strong safety measures
  • Traditional social media features

cons

  • Not able to use on desktop
  • No video chat

Archer Archer Visit Site

Archer at a Glance

Best for

Gay men interested in casual and serious relationships with other men

Number of members
Not disclosed

Archer features

  • Selfie image verification: Verifies who you are with a selfie
  • Private photo albums: Share images only with certain users
  • Tags: Add tags to your profile to share what you’re into
  • Multiple layouts: See a single user’s photo or a zoomed-out grid of dozens

Is Archer Safe and Reliable?

Archer has lots of features to help you stay safe. The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect content that breaks its community guidelines. For instance, the AI can spot if a user fills in their profile with derogatory or offensive language. Any flagged content is directed to a team of trained human moderators for further review.

Archer’s AI technology also blurs photos sent via direct messaging that may contain nudity. This lets you decide whether to see these photos or keep them hidden.

Archer requires every user to take a video selfie to minimize catfishing and fraud. This will be checked to see if a real person took your video and didn’t edit it. Your video will then be compared to a profile photo using 3D Face Authentication technology to verify it’s you.

Archer is part of Match Group, one of the biggest online dating companies. Your information may be shared across Match Group’s platforms for marketing purposes and user experience. For example, with your consent, Match Group can make your profile visible on its other dating sites.

Archer regularly reviews its systems and applications with a security team. As with other dating sites, you can block and report users who break the app’s rules. Users must also agree to Archer’s pledge to act kindly before completing their account.

How Archer Works

Archer combines traditional social media features with those of dating sites. So, rather than personality tests or matchmaking tools, it uses social media style tags to help you find someone. You can search for people with similar interests using tags like "Foodie" and "Fitness."

The app includes search filters such as location and relationship status to narrow down what you’re after. Archer focuses on a "social-first" dating experience where you can connect with other men for fun, casual dating, or a long-term relationship.

How to Get Started With Archer 

Getting started with Archer couldn’t be easier. The overall process takes 5-10 minutes, depending on how much info you wish to share.

Search for Archer Dating via Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS. Alternatively, visit the Archer website and scan the QR code.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll fill in some details to create your profile. These include your age and location, what you’re after (friendship, dating, hookups, etc.), and your relationship status. To keep everyone safe, you’ll be asked to upload a video selfie and a profile photo to confirm your identity.

With your photo approved, it’s time to add three more profile pics. This is a requirement to get a better idea of what people look like and who they are. Choose clear images that show off your personality, such as photos of you doing your favorite things.

Other requirements are to fill in the "About Me" section and add at least two tags to share your interests. Choose whether to add your zodiac sign or additional info such as your height, weight, and ethnicity.

Then, you’re ready to find your ideal match.

Archer Customer Service

To contact Archer, submit a request under the contact section. Select the customer support, feedback, or ban appeal form. Add your name and email linked to your account, what your question is about, and a brief description. You can also email support@archerapp.com. A support team member will reply as soon as possible.

You can send a direct message to Archer on Instagram via @archerdating, but there’s no mention of when a team member will reply. 

While Archer doesn’t have a phone option, you’ll find comprehensive help and guidance in its Support section. The platform also has a Safety Center with online dating safety tips. 

Archer provides resources with details of organizations for further support and has a consent guide, too. This explains how to communicate about consent and boundaries to create healthy relationships.

The support center includes FAQs about security, privacy, and app features. Plus, there’s a Health Hub with mental and sexual health resources. For example, it shares a link to order a free HIV home testing kit.

The Health Hub also features blog articles by relationship experts sharing advice on various dating issues. These include handling rejection and supporting someone who’s just about to come out.

How to Cancel or Pause an Archer Subscription 

Archer doesn’t have a pause option, but you can delete your account anytime. Simply log into the app, click Profile, and then Settings. Scroll to the end to find the Delete Account button.

You must cancel any subscriptions or purchases before deleting your account. You can cancel your subscription without penalty before midnight of the third business day following the date you subscribed.

To request a refund, navigate to "Settings," then "iTunes & App Stores." Click on your Apple ID and select "Purchase History." Then, find your Archer transaction and press "Report a Problem." On Google Play, click on your profile avatar and select "Payments and subscriptions" to request a refund.

Is There an Archer App?

Archer is only available as an app and cannot be used on a desktop. 

Archer Pricing

The app is currently free to download and use to find people. While many dating apps charge users to communicate, Archer provides free unlimited instant messages, profile likes, and photo sharing. Upload images to your conversations or share a private album.

Private albums can contain up to six images. If there are explicit photos of yourself in your album, you must get consent before sharing.

Archer has a range of social-media-like features. For example, you can "follow" your favorite users to get updates on photos they’re sharing and keep track of who you’re interested in.

Tags are another social media feature that stands out. Archer shows you who has added specific tags to their profile so you can see who shares your interests. There are countless tags to choose from in various categories, such as "Wellness," "Entertainment," and "Sports."

For example, you can add a "Coffee" tag to let people know you love coffee or a "Basketball" tag to tell users you’re interested in the game. 

If you’d rather stick to search filters, you can narrow your choices based on criteria like location, relationship status, and age.

When browsing profiles, you can choose from three layouts. There’s a linear view that lets you scroll through singular profile images and two zoom-out options that enable you to see multiple users simultaneously. These display images similar to an Instagram grid.

Premium Features and Upgrades on Archer

At present, Archer is a completely free app to download and use. Paid subscription offers will be introduced in the future.

Archer Alternatives


Archer

eharmony

Gaystryst 

Grindr

Price

Currently free

$25.90-$55.90

$0.50-$0.99

$19.99-$239.99

Number of members

Undisclosed

10 million 

100,000

6 million

Recommended age range

18+

30-44

25-45 

18+

Communication options

Instant messaging, photo sharing

Instant messaging, icebreaker questions

Send profile winks, instant messaging, video calls

Instant messaging, favorite profile, photo sharing


Archer vs eharmony

If you’d rather not search for matches, eharmony can do the work for you. It uses behavioral matchmaking technology to show you compatible profiles. Archer, however, has fun features like tags to help you find who you’re after. Archer caters solely to gay men, whereas eharmony has a large network of LGBTQ+ and straight singles. 

Archer vs Gaystryst 

Both Archer and Gaystryst cater to gay and bisexual men seeking a relationship or looking for a fling. While Archer is currently free, Gaystryst has a cost-per-day pricing model. You can enjoy video calls and chat rooms with a premium subscription. Archer doesn’t have these features but offers stronger safety tools, such as selfie verification. 

Archer vs Grindr 

Grindr is a popular gay, trans, bi, and queer dating app. Although it’s known for hookups, the platform can help people find a long-term relationship. Just like Archer, the app offers free unlimited messages, but a subscription is required for some features. Archer doesn’t currently offer subscriptions, so all features are free.

Archer Archer Visit Site

Bottom Line

Archer was created as an inclusive platform for gay, queer, and bisexual men. You can use the app to find friendships, hookups, or a serious relationship. This is ideal if you’re open to exploring different relationship styles.

Archer also offers some useful and unique safety features. There’s selfie verification to lower your chances of getting catfished, and Archer uses AI to protect you from inappropriate content, which is rare for dating apps.

Because the app is new, it doesn’t yet have the popularity of platforms such as Grindr, which could make it harder to find someone as profiles are growing. Additionally, some users might prefer to have access to Archer on a desktop rather than a phone.

But, with lots of fun and free social features such as follows, tags, and Instagram-style image layouts, Archer is worth your time if you’re looking to connect with a community of gay, queer, and bi men.

Laura Bradbury has been writing about dating, relationships, and sex since 2017 in her blog Style of Laura Jane. She produces relationship articles for publications and investigates online dating apps.

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