Do you know what you get when crossing Facebook with an online dating site? Zoosk! An easy to use, hard to pronounce dating site, with lots possibilities for people who want to meet others, develop a lifelong relationship and find their one and true soulmate. While the design is modern and simplistic, the profile settings are deep, with enough space to express your personality. You are not only able to register for free without having to link your Facebook, but you can enjoy the date-searching in your own language, as Zoosk supports more than a dozen of localization setting. Thanks to the site’s popularity, there is a huge pool of singles to choose from, and you can even send them personal gifts to emphasize your feelings. All of this is also available from the Zoosk apps for Android, iPhone, iPad and even Kindle devices.
Features
Zoosk aims to be more than just a run-of-the-mill dating site. That’s why it’s catering to a generation that grew up using Facebook. The site took inspiration from the trendy social media sites, borrowing features that allow you to express your identity through your taste in music, sport, films and games. Zoosk started off as a Facebook app for dating, but has opened up to non-Facebook users as well. Registration is still the quickest by using your Facebook profile, but you can just as easily create your account without linking both profiles. Zoosk also believes that loves knows no limitations, which is the reason why singles around the world can set up an account, and enjoy the dating service in their own language.
Getting Started
Setting up you profile is a very pleasant experience, as it gently guides newcomers through the process, instead of pushing them from one step to another. For starters, all you need to do is present your name, location and email address, and then verify your registration. The photo uploading and preferences come only after you logged in for the first time. To the site’s credit, they spice up the well-known dating formula with some extra bits of trivia about yourself, like your idea of the perfect date, or the description of the soulmate of your dreams. Zoosk provides a blank letterbox for this purpose, instead of pre-made answers. If you feel shy, or lack the affinity to come up with a compelling essay, don’t worry: the site gives you clever ideas for each of these preferences, or alternatively they can be left out too. Zoosk also has its very own tutorial that helps you understand the workings of the different features to get accustomed to them.
Matching System
Using Zoosk to find a suiting dating partner is a piece of cake, with a tempting cherry on the top. Besides the regular searching method – where you set the basic parameters for the rooster – you can use Carousel, an innovative way to go out of your comfort zone and take a chance with randomly chosen people. If you are insistent enough, your profile will become part of the database too, appearing in some else’s Carousel list. When it comes to love, you need all the help you can get. This is why Zoosk is utilizing a unique search engine called SmartPick. While you are out there “hunting”, the system discretely evaluates your dating style and preferred partners behind the curtains. The results are showcased in the SmartPick menu, with some promising profiles hand-picked by the system itself. But searching for others is only one half of the coins, as you appear on other people’s search as well. Your overall ranking in these searches can be increased by using the site’s currency.
Communication
Singles on Zoosk can maintain relationships in more than one way. If you see someone attractive, wink. This is the stepping stone to get the person’s attention. In case your oncoming was met with positive reception, you can skip the emailing altogether, and start live chatting. For people who want to reach as many people as possible in close vicinity, Zoosk recommends the Mega Flirt: this is a large shout that is delivered to a large amount of profiles who live close to you. They all get a standard message, but they might get curious and check you out. Keep in mind, however, that people with free accounts are blocked from using the message system, thus they have no means to start a conversation unless they subscribe to a premium membership.
Mobile
Nowadays the popular trends showed that a dating site must be compact and portable too, so people can use access it with their smartphones. Zoosk keeps up with these trends, so it’s no surprise that typing the name into a mobile device’s browser rewards you with a well-optimized and slim version of the dating service. This means that all unnecessary elements are taken off, and you can use the same features without the annoying side-swiping. But Zoosk’s mobile support doesn’t stop here, as they developed their own application, which is available for iOS, Android and Amazon Kindle devices on top of this. Using the app is really convenient, as all the buttons and menus have been resized and rearranged in manner that fits the touchscreens more. Naturally, the changes didn’t affect your favorite features, as both the Carousel search system and the SmartPick are present.
Pricing
As mentioned above, you are able to register and browse the list of the attractive local singles for free, but if you wish to exploit Zoosk’s true potential, then you better dig deep into your pockets. Becoming a true member is possible through subscription. The monthly subscription fee differs according to the length of the service: paying for one month costs you $19.95, while the semi-annual plan is reduced to only $9.95 per month. Even though the premium membership is quite customer-friendly compared to other dating sites, your monetary tribute doesn’t stop there. Zoosk utilizes an in-site currency called coins. You can purchase these coins for a fixed amount of real money, and use them to send presents to your loved one, or boost your popularity and ranking in searches. Most transactions cost between 10-100 coins, while the price of 180 coins is around $16.
Customer Service
Zoosk is operating a very simplified customer service in various languages that provides help and support for customers regardless their account status. There are numerous actions offered for troubleshooting: you can check out the FAQ section to read some of the pre-made answers. These topics cover everything from the registration to premium subscription. For the last attempt, the customer service can be contacted via email. The site promotes its very own blog where you find relevant dating tips and Top 10 lists. Hardcore video watcher might also welcome the possibility to check out Zoosk’s very own Youtube channel, as it houses the popular “Joan Actually” vlog series about dating.
Bottom Line
Zoosk is a great choice for those who want to be part of a modern online dating community. The site has a fast and easy registration process, and even after you set up you profile, you constantly receive tips and tutorials that help you dive into matchmaking. Zoosk sports many useful features known from popular social media sites, coupled with extras like the Mega Flirt and SmartPick, which enhance your search experience, promoting people closer to your taste. The service is well suited for mobile devices too, with a browser-friendly version of the site and a separate smartphone app. Zoosk is not without flaws, though, as the free account is inferior compared to the premium service, and gifts cost extra in-site currency as well.
Positives
- Smart Picks
- Available in numerous languages
- Good mobile, Facebook support
- International
- Built-in tutorial and tips
Negatives
- Too many pay-to-use features
- Only paying members can send messages
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Dave says
Rip-off!!