Tired of dating apps that only care about your age and looks? 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 uses a detailed matching system powered by a smart algorithm. When you sign up—either through the mobile app or website—you’ll 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 such as 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 such as 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.
Note: OkCupid has previously marketed “60+ ways to identify.” These figures may evolve, so check their official site for the most current information.
DoubleTake Feature
As part of its effort to encourage thoughtful connections, OkCupid introduced DoubleTake, a feature that invites users to slow down and explore profiles in more depth.
It displays multiple photos and highlights key profile details—such as hobbies, values, and interests—so you can get a clearer picture of someone’s personality. While OkCupid claims it enhances user experience, no verified data supports that it “led to more mutual matches.”
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.
Paid Plans and Features
OkCupid offers two paid subscription tiers—Basic and Premium—each with its own set of features designed to enhance your dating experience. Here’s what you get with each:
Basic
This entry-level plan includes all the essential upgrades:
- Unlimited likes
- Dealbreakers to filter out incompatible matches
- View all intros at once
- Ad-free browsing
- Unlimited rewinds (go back to skipped profiles)
Premium
Includes everything in basic, plus:
- See who liked your profile
- View users’ public answers to match questions
- Get 3 free SuperLikes each week
Note: Plans are available in 1, 3, or 6-month durations. Features and pricing may vary.
Also note: Free users have limited daily likes, no read receipts, and restricted visibility on intros.
À la Carte Features
These standalone upgrades are not bundled with any subscription:
- 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.
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:
- SMS Verification: OkCupid uses SMS verification to confirm the authenticity of a user’s phone number.
- Photo Verification: To verify identity, users are asked to take a short video selfie. This is analysed in two steps: the Liveness Check ensures the video was recorded by a real person, and the 3D Face Authentication compares facial features from the video with profile photos to confirm they match.
- 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.
OkCupid also provides a “Privacy Policy” and “Community Guidelines” for further reading.
How to Cancel Your Premium Subscription
If you paid via iPhone:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap your name at the top.
- Go to Subscriptions.
- Select the OkCupid Subscription.
- Tap Cancel Subscription.
If you paid via Google Play:
- Visit play.google.com/store/account.
- Find the OkCupid subscription.
- Click Cancel Subscription.
If you paid via the web:
- Go to okcupid.com/settings.
- Open Subscription Settings.
- Click on “Turn off automatic billing.”
Note: This stops future charges but preserves access until your plan expires. Web-based purchases cannot be cancelled through the app.
Conclusion
OkCupid is a solid platform 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 connection begins.
Megha Chauhan is a content writer with a background in Law and a growing interest in relationships and online dating platforms. She enjoys turning research into clear, helpful articles that guide people through today’s dating scene. Whether it’s a dating app review or a practical guide, her writing is always easy to follow and focused on what readers really need.
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