Top 10 Ways to Identify And Deal With Online Dating Scams
Feb 03, 2026
Top 10 Ways to Identify And Deal With Online Dating Scams
Feb 03, 2026
Top 10 Ways to Identify And Deal With Online Dating Scams
Feb 03, 2026
Best For: Anyone looking for a long-term relationship
Number of Members: 40 million
Recommended Age: 25-45
Gender Breakdown: 52% female, 48% male
Who's on Zoosk?: Mainstream dating, LGBT-friendly with a wide range of ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds
Favorite Features: Zoosk Great Dates, behavioral matchmaking, dating insights reports
Video Chat: No
Zoosk is one of the world’s most popular dating platforms and uses advanced technology to match users with the best possible people out there. What really stood out to us was the smart matchmaking algorithm, which analyzes people you interact with and suggests the most compatible matches.
To enhance your dating experience and find the right match, exploring the top 10 best dating sites can provide additional options.
The signup form can be found right at the top of Zoosk.com. This makes it super accessible一there’s no need to search for how to become a member.
You can create a Zoosk account in under a minute, which is pretty quick compared to other dating sites and apps. Once you’re done with the initial setup, you can go back at any time to add details to your profile, which will make it more complete and help you rank higher in search results. The initial process is simple.
Our first impression of the app was a little rocky since the first photo we uploaded was removed within the first few minutes of signing up for “not following Zoosk’s photo guidelines”. It turns out that the app’s standards are high, which is a good thing. Once we switched to full-body photos with enough coverage, the pictures were approved.
At any time, you can go to your main profile and edit the information you entered during the signup process. This is easy, and we recommend using the allocated boxes to introduce yourself and add interesting photos.
The photo verification system is pretty rigid, ensuring you can confirm that the people you’re talking to look like the photos they’ve uploaded to their profile. This is a really helpful way of keeping you safe from catfishing.
Once you’ve answered a few questions about your dating preferences and have been on the site for a little while, Zoosk uses its SmartPick™ AI to show you people you might be interested in. One of Zoosk’s strongest points is its matchmaking algorithm, which finds you the best matches.
There are three different ways to find matches on Zoosk. You can search manually, use Zoosk’s behavioral matchmaking, or select potential dates from a carousel.
1. Behavioral Matchmaking
Behavioral Matchmaking is a little like machine learning in the dating field. The system learns your preferences, likes, and dislikes to continuously give you more precise results. This is one of the most sophisticated ways to find matches and is intuitive too. Zoosk sends you one match daily that you can accept or decline.
2. Manual Search
For a more hands-on approach to dating, you can manually search Zoosk’s database to find your matches. This is straightforward; simply click from one profile to the next until you see one that appeals to you. You can view other members’ profile pics, ages, and locations to quickly decide whether you’re interested in going further.
If you match with someone, you can use quick messaging options to get in touch. If not, you can edit your search using age, location, distance, ethnicity, and relationship status filters.
3. Carousel
This quick match feature lets you swipe through lots of profiles at a glance. You’re shown a profile pic and can click “Yes,” “No,” or “Maybe” to rapidly move through multiple potential matches each minute, Tinder-style.
This is a good way to browse through lots of profiles, so if you’re good at snap decisions, this is the route for you. You can also star the member, signaling to them that you’re interested. Then, it's up to them to make the next move. Note that carousel searching is a limited feature, which you'll need to pay for with virtual coins after a certain number of views.
Zoosk’s photo verification requires new members to snap a photo of themselves using their smartphone. This helps prove they are who they say they are and minimizes the chances of getting involved with a spammer or bot.
In 2022, Zoosk rolled out a trail-blazing new verification system, Zoosk Insignia, which provides an extra level of safety against romance scammers claiming to be US military members. Zoosk members who submit valid proof of their U.S. Military service status are given a service verification badge on their profile.
Additionally, Zoosk has a strong no-harassment policy and makes it simple to block someone who is bothering you or being inappropriate. The platform also features a helpful online dating safety guide. It’s an entire section with tips to make your dating experience safer and more comfortable. It offers useful advice about making your profile safe, connecting online, meeting in person, and even sniffing out spammers.
Your dating profile is the first impression you send out to the virtual dating world. With Zoosk, you can easily and quickly create a profile—also known as a Date Card—and add to it later when you have more time.
Zoosk walks you through finishing your profile by prompting you to fill out answers about yourself and your ideal match. The more information you add, the higher the chances you’ll attract a good-quality match, so ensure you make your dating profile stand out.
We live in a fairly superficial world, looking at profile photos before reading someone’s personal description. Since pictures are so important, it’s essential you choose the right type of image to add to your profile. Use a flattering shot, but stay away from a Kim-Kardashian-style selfie in the bathroom. Make sure to include photographs of you enjoying yourself and doing things you love. Upload a selection so you have a range of different poses and environments.
What makes Zoosk different from other sites is that it takes the best parts of dating and social networking and combines them. Using social media can help get more views on your profile and raise your chances of meeting the right person.
Get involved on Zoosk’s community pages, where you can gain valuable advice and have your say about dating—and get your profile seen in the process. Comments on the boards are added to your Zoosk status feed, which shows up on your Date Card and on the Zoosk front page, seen by singles in your local area.
Another perk of Zoosk is that you can invite your friends to write testimonials about you that are visible to potential matches. (Yes, your friends can act as virtual wingmen!) After all, your buddies know you best and can brag in ways you might feel embarrassed about yourself!
Zoosk has a convenient mobile app that makes connecting with people throughout the day easier. It’s available for Android and iOS devices and includes virtually the same features as the website.
The Zoosk messenger app lets you send SMSes to anyone on the network, making that initial communication a lot easier and less awkward. It’s also useful if you’re looking for a more casual dating experience since it's easy to search and quickly filter through profiles.
You can link your Zoosk profile to your Facebook account. This updates your newsfeed about your account activity, like when a potential match adds to their profile, uploads photos, or is active in some other way. There's even a "Super Send" feature that allows you to reach multiple users simultaneously.
On top of this, you can choose from pre-selected icebreakers to send to matches, which is a great way to gauge their interest. Another helpful tool, SmartPick, uses technology to choose matches for you based on compatibility and your history of likes.
Zoosk has an extensive help center that includes a searchable FAQ section. You can speak to a customer service representative directly via one of the Zoosk social media accounts or by sending an online support ticket.
Getting a refund from Zoosk may be difficult since they don’t have a refund policy. Instead, they encourage customers to reach out to the client support team with any billing or account-related questions.
The easiest way to cancel or pause a Zoosk subscription is to turn off automatic renewals. You’ll still get premium features for the length of your subscription period, but you won't be charged again when it expires.
It is also possible to delete your account altogether if you want to remove it from the Zoosk platform. From your browser, choose settings (gear icon on your smartphone app), click “Account,” then “Account Status.” Then, click on “Deactivate” and follow the instructions to remove your account.
Zoosk’s pricing starts at $29.95 for a one-month subscription and can cost as low as $10.00 per month if you commit to a whole year.
If you want to test the waters first, you can create a limited free account. To access all features, you’ll need a premium subscription.
The full six-month plan is the best if you’re hoping to get the most value for money since it comes in at only $11.00 per month.
| Duration | Monthly Cost | Unlimited Photos | Unlimited Messaging | See who’s viewed you | Enhanced Search | View detailed profiles | Video chat | Boost profile | Gifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 month | $29.95 | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
| 3 month | $19.98 | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
| 6 month | $13.35 | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
| 12 month | $10.00 | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | Y | Y |
Overall, Zoosk is quite a low-cost option. Many dating platforms charge $30+ per month, but Zoosk’s annual subscription option brings this cost down to a much more affordable level.
Zoosk’s free account includes the Carousel and Behavioral Matchmaking tools and unlimited manual searches. But without a paid membership, you’ll be a little limited. While you can get an idea of people who are available in your area, you won’t be able to send messages, chat with other customers, or connect with people who have viewed your profile. You also won’t be able to take advantage of Zoosk’s “SmartPick” behavioral matchmaking.
With a free Zoosk membership, you can surf around and see what members are online in your area. You can also see who has shown interest in your profile, but it pretty much ends there.
To contact other profile holders and chat, you’ll need to upgrade to a premium subscription. This makes it essentially impossible to get a date with Zoosk for free.
Zoosk’s matchmaking technology plugs your preferences into the Carousel feature sending the best possible matches your way. To make full use of this smart dating technology, a paid membership is the way to go.
Zoosk offers a selection of interesting features designed to make online dating fun. One of the most unique and useful is the dating insights reports. Here are some of its major benefits:
If you want to get in touch with someone on Zoosk, you can Smile or Like their profile. Additionally, you can send a text message. If you really like someone, you can send them a virtual gift.
A super-smart, effortless way to promote your profile is the Zoosk Boost feature. Purchasing Boost with Zoosk coins helps you get noticed and highlighted in different places on the Zoosk site and app, including in people’s inboxes and Carousel (the search tool). Zoosk coins can be purchased or earned through onsite activities like becoming a fan on Facebook or installing the mobile app.
Another neat feature is Zoosk coins. These let you buy gifts like a virtual box of chocolates, a virtual cocktail, or a digital teddy bear. You can also purchase 75 Boosts for 150 coins, which could really get your profile noticed. A package of 180 Zoosk coins costs $19.99, 480 costs $39.99, and 1,800 is $99.99.
| Zoosk | Match | Tinder | eharmony | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short and long-term relationships | Finding a serious partner | Meeting new people | Long-term-relationship seekers |
| Free app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No. of members | Millions | Millions | Millions | Millions |
| Price | From $8.33 per month | From $17.49 per month | From free | From $35.99 per month |
Zoosk and Match are two of the heavyweights in online dating. Match was the first official dating site on the scene, with over 20 years of experience. Yet Zoosk has taken online dating by storm with its Behavioral Matchmaking technology.
Zoosk is a high-quality dating app with millions of attractive singles to connect with, but Match is far more user-friendly. On the other hand, Zoosk is slightly cheaper, and with its custom profile settings and features, it’s specifically designed to find you the ideal casual or long-term relationship that you’re seeking. To find your perfect partner, both of these dating giants should do the job.
There are many similarities between these two online dating platforms, but just as many differences. Tinder’s mobile app is its main focus, and its straightforward functions—swipe, message, repeat—reflect its reputation as a tool for spontaneous or casual hookups.
Zoosk, meanwhile, is a fully loaded website with plenty of space to build a profile, express your personality, learn about others, and use compatibility matches to meet like-minded people. Nonetheless, both Tinder and Zoosk are enormously popular, and there’s no doubt they can be used independently of each other.
There are plenty of good reasons that Zoosk and Tinder have become major names in online dating in recent years. Ease of use, simple signup, and extensive features are just some of them, but Zoosk was the clear winner in our minds. It offers a more in-depth online dating experience and is a better option for those looking to find something to write home about.
Like Zoosk, eharmony is a giant in the online dating industry. It offers more traditional services than Zoosk, enabling users to create accounts and browse local singles. It’s also quite expensive, and there’s little to justify the high price.
At the same time, Zoosk has too many extra frills for some users. Both platforms are excellent, but we suggest giving eharmony a go if you want a hassle-free dating platform.
All things considered, Zoosk is an affordable dating app for casual or serious relationships, with over 40 million singles to choose from. If you’re searching for love online, Zoosk gives you an easy-to-use system and compatible matches.
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