In a Nutshell
pros
- User friendly site and app
- Wide range of Jewish singles
- Specification options help foster serious relationships
cons
- Must be looking for a Jewish partner
- Photos appear only after approval which can take time
JDate Love Stories
“We’re proof that JDate really can work!” - Lauren & Michael
“It was an instant, soulmate type of connection!” - Lindsey & Jonathan
“I realized this was different than anything else I had ever had.” - Caryn & Shawn
Signup Process
Signing up for JDate is a simple process. You’ll be required to answer some basic questions before getting started. The questions range from your gender and the gender you are seeking, to location and relationship status (single, separated, divorced or widowed). Additionally, you’ll be asked about your education, profession, height, attitude to smoking and some details about your level of observance. After completing the initial questions, users are required to submit an email address and choose a password before beginning to browse JDate.
The final signup steps are optional, though JDate recommends users share as much as they feel comfortable with. The more open you are, the more likely you will find a compatible match. These steps are:
1 - Add photos: JDate profiles with pictures get up to 10 times more views. Users can choose up to 12 photos to upload. The JDate team suggests choosing a main photo in a headshot style of just you. The status of uploaded photos will be pending until approved by the JDate team.
2- Set match preferences: Choose your criteria for a potential match carefully in order to allow JDate to work for you. Match preferences include: gender, age range, location, members with photos, observance levels, lifestyle tendencies, and much more.
3 - Subscribe: Choosing a paid JDate plan will allow you to do more than simply browse singles. Once you’ve subscribed to JDate, you can begin to email and chat with people in real time.
Profile building is an ongoing process and JDate gives you the option to add additional information and make adjustments at any time. Add a short intro to your profile and answer open-ended prompts such as, “my perfect first date,” “the coolest places I’ve visited” and “the things I could never live without.” For someone interested in sharing more but not good with words, you can select up to 12 pre-written interests to display on your profile.
Matchmaking & Search Functions
Your Matches
Personal match suggestions are updated daily based on the match preferences you set up during the signup process. You can adjust these preferences whenever you want.
Search
JDate offers extensive search filters so that users can explore their possibilities. The search filters start with basic preferences that you choose and edit, including seeking man or woman, age range, location, profiles with photos only. You can then refine the search with 12 filters such as level of observance, lifestyle choices, education, height, and more.
JDate also offers a search by keyword so that you can find singles with specific interests or criteria important to you. The search results can be sorted by: newest, last online, closest location or match percent.
Member Lookup
You can look up a specific member by username or member ID.
Features & Communication Tools
In general, the site is well designed, organized nicely and easy to use. Tabs at the top of the page put users a click away from their inbox, matches, browse options, activity, and community. Using the “activity” tab, you can see singles conveniently organized according to those who have looked at you profile, those whose profile you have looked at, and your JDate curated matches.
When viewing a profile on JDate, you can see the percent you match with the other person as well as the amount of things you share in common. Green check marks are displayed throughout users’ profiles to highlight common interests.
It’s important to note that only subscribed members can communicate with their matches or any other subscribed member. Communication tools include sending and receiving messages as well as instant messaging.
One of JDate’s fun features is the Secret Admirer. Users can mark a profile of someone they are interested in and JDate will find out secretly if the other person has mutual feelings. Each member will find a Secret Admirer section in the site where profiles will be suggested to them. Users can mark a heart if they are interested, a wavy line to be asked again later, and an ex to say no. Secret Admirer preferences can be edited according to age range and location.
Additional features include the Kibitz Corner, daily questions users can answer and see what others have answered. It could be a great conversation starter with potential matches. JDate also offers events for members to meet up in person, in a relaxed, group setting. Finally, there is JLife magazine which provides dating advice and other interesting writing pieces.
Safety & Security
JDate offers safety tips to be used as guidelines when dating on the site. It reminds users to keep their information private and take things at their own pace. JDate takes financial information very seriously and reminds users not to share this information with other users on the site. As an extra precaution, users receive a pop-up box on the subject which they must read and accept to continue using the site.
JDate reviews every user’s profile and all photos submitted by members. The site responds quickly and seriously to complaints of harassment or fraudulent profiles. Finally, there’s customer service support 7 days a week.
Pricing
Jewish singles can use JDate for free but will only be able to create a profile and browse other profiles. In order to begin communicating with potential partners, users will have to choose from one of the paid plans. The premium plan for 6 months includes: member spotlight, highlighted profile, and notifications when messages have been read.
Help & Support
JDate provides a contact form on the website. Though not prominently displayed on the site, the customer support team can be reached at 1-877-453-3861.
Find Love on JDate
With a wide range of engaging features and value-for-money pricing, JDate is one of the top dating sites for Jewish singles today. If you're ready to meet like-minded people with shared values, get started on JDate.
