OkCupid Review: Where Dating Starts With Real Questions

Tired of dating apps that only care about your age and a cute selfie? OkCupid does things differently. It wants to know what really makes you tick, whether you’d choose to time travel to the past or future, how you feel about pineapple on pizza, or how important social justice is to you. Instead of just matching faces, it matches minds, turning compatibility into real conversation.

How OkCupid Works

OkCupid works by using a detailed matching system powered by a smart algorithm. When you sign up, either on the mobile app or website, you’ll first create an account and verify it with your phone number for added security. Then, you’ll start building your profile by answering a series of fun and insightful questions. These range from lifestyle habits and relationship goals to quirky preferences like choosing between a kiss in Paris or in a tent. You also get to indicate what you’d prefer your ideal partner’s answers to be.

OkCupid uses this information, along with your age, location, gender identity (22 options), orientation (12 options), and personal beliefs, to calculate a Match Percentage. This score helps you see how compatible you are with other users, especially on key topics like religion and long-term relationship goals. The more you engage with the questions, the more refined your matches become, making it easier to find someone who truly aligns with you.

OkCupid’s DoubleTake Feature

As part of its goal to encourage thoughtful connections, OkCupid introduced the DoubleTake feature. Instead of quickly swiping past profiles, it invites you to slow down and explore more about each person.

It shows multiple photos and highlights key details from their profile, like hobbies, values, and interests, so you can get a better sense of their personality. Since its introduction, the feature has led to more mutual matches, showing that taking time to understand someone truly pays off.

Free Features

OkCupid offers many useful features for free, letting you explore the platform before committing to a premium plan:

• Profile creation: You can set up your profile by adding photos, writing about yourself, and including what you’re looking for in a partner.
• Browse and search: You can view other user profiles and use basic filters to narrow down your search.
• Likes and passes: You can like or skip profiles as you browse, helping the algorithm better understand your preferences.
• Show interest: The “Intro” feature lets you send a short message to express interest before matching.
• Messaging: You can message users, but only after both of you have liked each other.

Premium Features

To improve your dating experience, OkCupid provides premium features that help you stand out and find better matches:

• See who likes you: This feature lets you instantly view the people who have already liked your profile.
• Advanced search filters: You can refine your searches using detailed filters.
• Dealbreakers: Set specific criteria, like smoking or religion, to automatically filter out incompatible matches.
• Ad-free experience: Premium users can browse the app without any ads disrupting their experience.

A La Carte Features

These are additional paid features that are not included in any subscription plans and must be purchased separately:

• Boost: Increases your profile visibility for 30 minutes, helping you attract more views and potential matches.
• SuperBoost: Extends the visibility of your profile beyond the standard Boost, keeping it at the top of the search results for a longer period.
• Read receipts: You’ll be able to see when someone has read your message, adding clarity to conversations.
• SuperLikes: Stand out by showing extra interest in someone, increasing the chance of a match.

Subscription Plans

OkCupid offers two main premium plans to suit different needs:

Basic

This plan includes access to features such as sending unlimited likes, setting dealbreakers (for preferences you consider non-negotiable), viewing all intros at once, an ad-free experience, and unlimited rewinds to revisit profiles you may have skipped.

Premium

In addition to all the Basic features, this plan lets you see who liked you, view their public answers to match questions, and get three free SuperLikes each week.

Note: Both plans are available for 1, 3, or 6 months, so you can choose the option that best fits how long you want to commit.

Pros

• Inclusive and LGBTQ Friendly: Supports a wide range of gender identities and sexual orientations.
• Flexible Use: Accessible via both a mobile app and a website.
• Smart Matching System: OkCupid’s algorithm ensures more compatible and meaningful matches.

Cons

• Lengthy Questionnaires: The large number of questions can feel overwhelming, especially for those who prefer a more casual approach.
• Fake or Inactive Profiles: These profiles can still appear, which may impact the overall trust and safety of the platform.
• Slow Match Process: The matching system relies on mutual likes and detailed answers, which can delay connections.

Safety and Security Features

OkCupid has implemented various safety measures to protect users and create a trustworthy environment:

• Profile Verification: The platform offers both SMS and photo verification options to help ensure users are authentic.
• Block and Report Options: Users can easily block or report others for any misconduct or suspicious activity.
• Privacy Settings: You have control over who can view your profile and can adjust your visibility as needed.
• Safe Message Filters: A combination of automated tools and human review is used to detect and act on inappropriate messages.
• Safety Tips: OkCupid provides helpful guidelines on how to stay safe while dating online and meeting matches in person, such as avoiding sending money, keeping conversations on the platform, and informing friends or family about your plans.

How to Cancel Your Premium Subscription

If you have paid via iPhone:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone (not the OkCupid app).
• Tap your name at the top, then go to iTunes & App Store.
• Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
• Tap View Apple ID (you may need to sign in).
• Click on Subscriptions.
• Select the OkCupid Subscription.
• Click on Cancel Subscription.

Note: Your subscription will remain active until the current billing period ends.

If you paid via Google Play:

• Visit play.google.com/store/account on your browser.
• Find the subscription you want to cancel.
• Click on Cancel Subscription.

If you paid via Credit Card or PayPal:

• Open a web browser and go to http://okcupid.com/settings.
• Go to your Subscription Settings.
• Click on “Turn off automatic billing”.

Note: 

• This will stop future charges, but you’ll keep access until your current subscription expires.
• You cannot cancel a credit card or PayPal subscription through the OkCupid mobile app or mobile site.

Conclusion

OkCupid is a great choice for people who want meaningful relationships while enjoying a relaxed and engaging approach to dating. It’s ideal for those who care about honesty, equality, and shared values.

While it might not suit those in a rush to get married or who prefer more traditional relationship norms, it’s a welcoming space for open-minded users. If you’re ready to be seen for who you really are, OkCupid could be the place where your next great connection begins.