Zoosk is a dating app that aims to help people connect with compatible matches. It has over 40 million members worldwide and offers a variety of features to enhance the dating experience. But is it worth trying in 2023? In this article, we will review Zoosk’s history, pros and cons, usability, pricing, safety, and more.
Overview of Zoosk Dating App
History and current user base
Zoosk was founded in 2007 as a Facebook app that integrated social media and online dating. It quickly grew to become one of the most popular dating platforms in the world, reaching 25 million users by 2010. Zoosk is now available in 80 countries and 25 languages, and has a diverse and inclusive user base of singles of all ages, backgrounds, orientations, and preferences.
Pros and cons
Zoosk has many advantages as a dating app, such as:
- A large and active community of singles
- A smart matchmaking system that learns from your behavior and preferences
- A variety of features to make your profile stand out and increase your chances of finding a match
- A user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and customize
- A high level of security and verification to protect your privacy and identity
However, Zoosk also has some drawbacks, such as:
- A subscription is required to access most features and communicate with other users
- Some features are only available with additional purchases or upgrades
- Some users may encounter fake or inactive profiles or spam messages
- Some users may experience technical issues or glitches with the app or website
- Some users may find the app too overwhelming or complicated to use
How to Use Zoosk Dating App
Signing up and verifying your profile
To use Zoosk, you need to create an account either with your email address, phone number, or Facebook account. You will then be asked to fill out some basic information about yourself, such as your name, age, location, gender, and what you are looking for. You can also upload up to six photos and write a short bio to showcase your personality.
To verify your profile, you need to provide a valid phone number or connect your Facebook account. You can also verify your photos by submitting a selfie that matches a pose shown by the app. This will help you earn a green check mark on your profile, which indicates that you are a real person and not a bot or scammer.
Navigating the app and its features
Zoosk has a simple and intuitive interface that allows you to browse and interact with other users in different ways. You can use the following features:
- Carousel: This is a swipe-based feature that shows you random profiles that match your criteria. You can swipe right to like them or left to pass them. If you both like each other, you will be matched and able to chat.
- Search: This is a filter-based feature that lets you look for specific profiles based on your preferences. You can adjust the filters according to age, distance, height, ethnicity, religion, education, body type, and more.
- SmartPick: This is a personalized feature that uses behavioral matchmaking technology to suggest compatible profiles based on your activity and preferences. You can view one profile at a time and either accept or decline it. If you both accept each other, you will be matched and able to chat.
- Live: This is a livestreaming feature that allows you to watch or broadcast live videos with other users. You can join or create different streams based on topics or interests. You can also send hearts or gifts to show your support or appreciation.
- Insights: This is an analytical feature that gives you feedback on your profile performance and dating behavior. You can see how many views, likes, messages, and matches you have received, as well as how often you respond, initiate contact, or use the app.
Messaging and interaction
To communicate with other users on Zoosk, you need to have a paid subscription or enough coins (a virtual currency that can be purchased or earned). You can send text messages, photos, emojis, gifs, voice messages, or video calls to your matches or connections. You can also send winks or hearts to show interest or flirt with someone.
Pricing and Features
Subscription costs and options
Zoosk offers three subscription plans: one month for $29.99 USD (or equivalent in local currency), three months for $59.99 USD ($19.99 USD per month), or six months for $74.99 USD ($12.49 USD per month). With a subscription, you can access the following features:
- Unlimited messaging with other users
- Full access to SmartPick matches
- Ability to see who viewed your profile
- Ability to see who liked you
- Ability to browse profiles anonymously
- Ability to change your username
Premium features and upgrades
Zoosk also offers some premium features and upgrades that can be purchased with coins or real money. These include:
- Boost: This feature allows you to increase your visibility and get more views, likes, and messages. You can buy one boost for 100 coins or 10 boosts for 1500 coins.
- Super Send: This feature allows you to send a mass message to multiple users at once. You can choose from a list of pre-written messages or create your own. You can send one super send for 50 coins or 10 super sends for 750 coins.
- Gifts: This feature allows you to send virtual gifts to other users to show your interest or appreciation. You can choose from different categories of gifts, such as flowers, animals, food, or drinks. The prices of gifts vary from 10 to 100 coins.
Safety and Scam Prevention
Measures in place to protect users
Zoosk takes the safety and security of its users seriously and has several measures in place to protect them from fraud and abuse. These include:
- Photo verification: This feature requires users to submit a selfie that matches a pose shown by the app. This helps to ensure that the photos on their profiles are genuine and recent.
- Phone number verification: This feature requires users to provide a valid phone number that can receive a verification code via SMS. This helps to prevent fake or duplicate accounts.
- Facebook verification: This feature requires users to connect their Facebook account to their Zoosk account. This helps to verify their identity and social media presence.
- Moderation team: This is a team of professionals who monitor and review the app for any suspicious or inappropriate activity or content. They can remove or ban any users who violate the terms of service or community guidelines.
Past data breach issues
Despite these measures, Zoosk has also faced some data breach issues in the past that may have compromised the personal information of some users. In 2019, a security researcher discovered that Zoosk had exposed the details of over 30 million users, including names, email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, and phone numbers. Zoosk claimed that it had fixed the issue and notified the affected users. However, some users reported that they had not received any notification or apology from Zoosk.
Conclusion
Zoosk is a dating app that offers a lot of features and options to help people find their perfect match. It has a large and diverse user base, a smart matchmaking system, and a user-friendly interface. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as a subscription requirement, additional costs, fake profiles, and data breach issues. Therefore, it may not be suitable for everyone.
If you are looking for a dating app that is fun, safe, and easy to use, Zoosk may be a good choice for you. However, if you are looking for a dating app that is free, simple, and reliable, Zoosk may not be the best option for you. Ultimately, the decision is yours. You can download Zoosk from the Google Play Store or the App Store and try it out for yourself.
