Zoosk is one of the more popular online dating sites that exists right now. They have a kick ass marketing team and even won an Effie Ward for their advertising campaign “Online Dating, Your Way.” So, the question is: is this site popular because it is legitimately good? Or does it just draw people in with snazzy advertisements? I’ve also found that Zoosk is more of a social networking site than it is a dating site. It’s really about making connections and expanding your number of acquaintances. And then, hey, if you happen to click with someone, great!

Zoosk was ranked #29 on The Wall Street Journal’s Next Big Thing list in 2011. In 2012, Zoosk had the fifth most popular dating app in the world and the third in the United States. Zoosk was also featured in the Flo Rida and T-Pain single “Zoosk Girl.”

Features

• 100% free to sign up.
• Available in 25 languages and has members in more than 70 countries.
• Detailed profiles (including basic information, likes, and answers to compatibility questions) with up to six photos.
• Answer Zoosk Compatibility questions to help Zoosk better match you with other members.
• Receive a daily email with your ZSMS (Zoosk Scientific Matchmaking Service) matches - compatibility between you and other Zoosk members is evaluated and your responses to these matches is taken into consideration when making future recommendations.
• Search Zoosk‘s member database by age, location, height, relationship status, ethnicity, religion, education, body type, and whether they smoke and/or drink. You can also check out who’s “online now”.
• Play on the Carousel! A quick fire of member photos will come at you with the question of “Want to meet him/her?” You answer yes, maybe, or no and if the feeling is mutual Zoosk will let you know.
• Send messages – get chatting with the members you’re interested in. Take it one step farther and send your message with “special delivery”. This option means the message will appear as a pop-up window the next time the member logs in so they can’t miss it! You can also get delivery confirmation emails that will let you know when your email has been read.
• Send winks – let other members know you’ve got your eye on them.
• Send virtual gifts! Choose from items like: teddy bear, rose, chocolates, wine, or a diamond ring.
• Zoosk Messenger – a downloadable application that allows you to instant message other online members without needing to access the website.
• “Boost” your profile so that it is at the top of the search results in your area and will be seen by more members.
• Can block other users and report inappropriate behaviour.
• Available as an app for Facebook, iPhone, and Android.
• Connect with Zoosk through social media: Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, and YouTube.

The Good

Zoosk immediately notifies you when someone views your profile, messages you, or wants to meet you. This feature might actually be categorized in “The Bad” if you hate getting notifications every five seconds, but I think in this case (the case where tons of singles are interested in you) it’s not so bad. Zoosk also makes a serious effort to help you in your dating endeavors. There are a series of yes or no questions and you are asked to give your answer, how your partner should answer, and rank the issue as very important, moderately important, or not important. Zoosk then takes these answers and, through a feature called ZSMS (Zoosk’s Scientific Matchmaking Service), evaluates your compatibility with other users.

The Bad

Zoosk does not have a good reputation when it comes to their customer service. You will find endless complaints on messages boards about Zoosk - everything from search criteria not working properly to accounts being closed for no reason. They also don’t keep track (or at least display it publicly) of when users were last online (something that regulars of the online dating world do not appreciate because we can’t tell how serious they are about the site.) Zoosk also censors content on the site, so if you write something they don’t like in your profile, it will be removed. I hate dumb shit on dating sites as much as the next person, but it is actually really helpful in weeding out those people from my matches, so I kind of don’t like that they take it away.

Pricing

Zoosk is free to sign up for, but to use all the features you will need to upgrade to a subscription. A Zoosk subscription is $29.95 per month for a one month subscription, $19.98 per month for a three month subscription, and $12.49 per month for a six month subscription. Keep in mind that all of these pricing options are done in one up front payment. So, if you choose the six month subscription it does even out to $12.49 per month, but you will be paying one payment of $74.95. They have also stated that all of these mentioned prices are “exclusive of any applicable activation fees.” I could not find any information on what the activation fees are for or how much they cost.

You are also given the opportunity to earn “coins” which you can then use to “purchase” virtual gifts, special delivery emails, delivery confirmation emails, and boost. You can earn the coins by liking Zoosk on Facebook, adding their phone app, inviting friends to join the site, or participating in occasional special offers.

They accept payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, PayPal, Check, and Bank Transfer.

Conclusion

Although Zoosk is moderately priced, it’s features and service are simply not a good enough pay off – at least in my opinion. They have terrible customer service – often not even responding to request and complaints – and the features are all very mediocre and nothing that you couldn’t find on free online dating sites.

It is not a site for dedicated online daters. It is a site made for people who are too socially awkward to get out there and make real life connections. My advice is to use a site that is more serious and tailored to your dating wants and needs. If you just want to make friends, stick with Facebook.