Zoosk Review 2023 – Is Getting a Premium Zoosk Account Worth It?
With over 40 million members, Zoosk has made a name for itself in online dating. But what do we know about Zoosk beyond the hype? That’s the purpose of this in-depth Zoosk review.
The fact that Zoosk is a paid online dating site may be one reason why many users have not tried it yet. People usually prefer free, right?
But sometimes, the best and most convenient online dating features are not free!
That’s why this Zoosk review will center on the site’s best premium features and whether or not the extra cost is worth it.
For starters, let’s consider a “just the facts, ma’am” cheat sheet of what Zoosk offers.
Zoosk Review in 10 Seconds
- Zoosk is a premium online dating site with some free features
- There is a dating app and laptop site available
- Users can find a date in several different ways
- SmartPick is Zoosk’s unique matchmaking system
- Carousel lets users swipe random profiles
- Search lets users browse or filter search all users
- Users can verify their profiles
- Zoosk is known as a dating site with diverse demographics in terms of age
Who is Zoosk For and Not For?
Right away, you can tell Zoosk is a bit of a brainy dating app compared to the competition. The layout is somewhat minimalist and is not just another mindless swiping app.
Zoosk helps its users to understand their own dating behavior. The site helps you to understand the perspective of the “other side” who may be viewing your profile just as they are viewing yours.
Zoosk is not for people looking for just a hookup site, nor is it necessarily as complex as more comprehensive dating sites.
But people who want the best of both worlds, freedom, and matchmaking, will find the Zoosk dating app convenient.
What We Like and Don’t Like on Zoosk
Pros
- Zoosk algorithm (SmartPicks) that learns you!
- Zoosk Live – a video streaming community
- Virtual dates and speed dating games like “Great Dates”
- A diverse age range of users
- Free searches with filters, location, and random
- A “Maybe” option besides just Yes or No
Cons
- Intrusive ads
- Limited free preview
- No private video chat
- Old-fashioned gender options only
- Some fake profiles
History of the Zoosk Dating Site
The story begins with two Iranian immigrants, Shayan Zadeh, and Alex Mehr, traveling to the U.S. to further their education. After working with Microsoft and NASA, respectively, they decided to start a dating company called Zoosk in 2007.
It wasn’t until 2014 that Zoosk started to raise more capital and report record-setting revenues. Though it took a while for the company to be profitable, by 2014, the site reached #1 in the online dating industry.
In 2019, Spark Networks (which also owns EliteSingles, SilverSingles, and Christian Mingle) acquired Zoosk.
Today, the successful dating app is available in over 80 countries and in 25 languages, with over 30 million individual downloads.
Since the company won all of its awards and accolades in 2014, one might wonder what the future of Zoosk is – and just how useful the dating site is today.
Who Are Zoosk Users?
According to user demographical research compiled by SimilarWeb, Zoosk users are a very diverse group of singles.
While the largest segment (19.70) is between the ages of 25-34, the next largest group (18.93) is between the ages of 45-54. The third most popular segment (18.05) is over the age of 55, with at least 12 percent over the age of 65.
However, despite a strong senior and pre-senior presence, the slight majority of Zoosk users are under 25, with as much as 14% under 24.
You will notice that Zoosk is like a virtual bar, welcoming users of many age groups.
On the downside, like most other dating sites, one-third of users are female.
How to Sign Up with Zoosk
To get started, download the Zoosk app on your Google Play or Apple App Store, or visit the Zoosk.com website directly.
The signup process is as easy as filling out a form (your sex, preferences, birthday, email address, and password) and then activating your account through email.
You can browse the site and fill out a dating profile without paying for a paid subscription.
Analyzing the Design of the Zoosk Platform
Zoosk is one of many modern dating apps that uses “gamification” and algorithmic recommendations to serve its users better.
Its matchmaking is not based on an in-depth psychological profile, as with other online dating sites like eHarmony or Elite Singles.
Instead, the app has behavioral matchmaking technology – which means user behavior is tracked and studied so that the system learns what you’re interested in over time.
Every action counts in Zoosk’s proprietary behavioral matchmaking engine, from clicking, to messaging, to simply stalling on a photo or reacting to it. The more you interact with the Zoosk app, the more accurate its recommendations are.
How Does Zoosk Work?
Zoosk’s dating app (or desktop/laptop dating website) is divided into five top menu tabs and eight side menu options.
As soon as you finish the sign-up process, you can fill out your own dating profile, or you can click the icon of the user head at the top of the screen.
Type in your name, location, and several good-quality photos.
Below, you can enter tags for your hobbies and interests in the About Me section or add some icebreaker questions and answers.
In the Basic Info section, you can provide deal-breaker information to your prospective dates, such as relationship history, children, ethnicity, education, industry, religion, body type, and lifestyle habits.
While the gender options are non-existent (in fact, you have to contact Zoosk customer service to change it), the rest of the process is fairly straightforward.
You also have the option of adding social networking links to your profile.
Other Zoosk Menu Options
The speech balloon icon and the Messages side menu will send you to DMs. You may occasionally receive random messages from other members, but you have to subscribe to read them.
Once you meet someone and have a mutual match, or just like each other in general, they will appear on the Connections section of your side menu.
You can also read your total views (who viewed you) or click Settings to change data on your account, block or unblock members, and change your notifications settings. Notifications, or Zoosk alerts, are also visible on the top tab.
Now that all the tech support is out of the way let’s talk about the main event – the dating search!
Figuring Out the Zoosk Online Dating Search
Zoosk has about five different ways to search for a partner, each one with a very different approach.
The most exciting option to most users will be SmartPicks, which is a behavioral matchmaking system that “learns you” and makes recommendations based on your own behavior.
SmartPicks Matchmaking
SmartPicks is the site’s most innovative dating service, as it learns your attraction and dating preferences based on your own actions. Then Zoosk gives you more specific SmartPicks recommendations.
The site uses “behavioral matchmaking technology”, an advanced algorithm that studies user behavior, and not just user Q&As.
The problem is if you rarely visit the site, the SmartPicks top menu page will be mostly empty.
While messaging and other premium features help, the system mostly needs your input regarding:
- Your Profile
- Your tagged interests
- Member Likes and Dislikes (Or Heart and X votes, more specifically)
- SmartPicks surveys
- Clicks on messages/profiles/photos
As you continue to use Zoosk, you will also notice a chemistry predictor tool, right below each new profile. The percentage can be anywhere from 0 (if you haven’t rated anyone yet) all the way to 100% or near it.
Zoosk Insights
In addition to SmartPicks, users will also receive “Dating Insights” summaries of all their daily activity and preferences – information that directly influences the unique matchmaking algorithm.
Zoosk Insights also show you profiles of members who showed interest, how their actions influenced their matches, and even some tips on how to improve their online dating skills.
This is a neat feature since the site provides detailed information on who likes you, what all these people have in common, who you like (and what they all have in common), and how your dating style coincides with these trends.
Zoosk Carousel
If you miss the old Tinder style of random browsing and casual dating, then Carousel mode will be the most familiar option.
Although Zoosk Carousel is made to be more Tinder-like, it does not have swiping, not even on the mobile dating app. Instead, you can click on basic colored options of Yes (Green), No (Red X), as well as “Maybe” and “Refresh” options if you want to think it over.
Carousel mode does not have multiple galleries, either. This is truly a fast-clicking game where you admit your most natural attractions to the Zoosk system.
Don’t be nice – just be honest!
Zoosk Online Now
The Online Now option is more like the traditional dating site you’ve used before, complete with swiping features – except that instead of rejecting or liking a person with a swipe, you simply view more profile photos or different profiles altogether.
You must hit Yes or No in this mode (no maybe’s) and can also see a short amount of bio information on each profile, along with location information in miles.
The Online Mode also lets you create new filters for all Zoosk members, including age, distance, and other demographic or lifestyle deal breakers.
Zoosk Search Page
Zoosk Search is basically the same thing as Online Now, with the ability to create or set common filters, see more photos, or even “block” a person if you must.
You know, like if you happen to see your ex on here and don’t want any drama!
The Premium and Advanced Searches require a premium membership, although you can use the basic Search and Who’s Online Now options upon signup.
Zoosk Direct Messaging
Unlike other users still using free apps like Tinder or Bumble, you can directly send messages to anyone you think is attractive and worth your time.
Simply click on the Message box and write an introduction, send photos, or send virtual gifts.
Zoosk virtual gifts are not a huge deal but a sweet and simple way to “stand out” from the crowd.
If you’d like to send someone a gift, visit his or her profile and select the gift icon. This will open up the current selection of gifts you can send so you can choose the one you like.
Gifts only cost a few “Zoosk coins,” which you can get when you subscribe.
We’ll talk about that shortly. But first, let’s peek at some of these member profiles and see what we’re working with.
What Does a Zoosk Profile Tell You?
Zoosk profiles only give you a few snippets of information on the biography – at least on the free trial account.
Once you subscribe, you get more detailed information from potential matches and even more options once you find a mutual match.
Profiles are also hidden when you first start using Search or Carousel, and you may have to “swipe” to the end to read the user’s bio. You can find brief profile details like My Story, My Perfect Match, and My Ideal Date.
You can also like or reject a profile based on their bio information.
Besides subtle clues in the bio, Zoosk does not specify in profiles what kind of a relationship a person is looking for.
You may not know if a person wants casual dating or a serious relationship until you get to know them or “unlock” more detailed profiles.
Verification Status
Due to the high number of fake accounts Zoosk has, the company has added Photo Verification to give members some peace of mind.
Not only does this dating service prevent catfishers and fake profiles in general, but it also ensures that users are honest about what they look like today.
The company wants to be sure you’re presenting yourself honestly and within the right age range and body type as indicated on your profile.
You simply follow Zoosk’s prompts and take a video selfie to record your appearance from multiple angles. Once the photo is verified, you get a Green Check Verified status next to all your photos.
The site also launched Zoosk Insignia for U.S. military service members to verify their identity and protect them and other users from scams.
Zoosk Live! Video Dating Community
Zoosk Live! is a relatively new concept that combines a speed dating event and video chat.
While this is not exactly one-on-one video chat, it does give you the ability to broadcast yourself or join other popular rooms to get to know one user at a time.
Some video “rooms” also have themes going on, such as virtual dates, games, icebreakers, or other fun things to do. It’s kind of like the Tik Tok of the online dating industry.
You can also set filters to only see certain types of singles on Zoosk Live!, such as sex, location, and language.
On the other hand, you don’t have to date everyone you want to follow. Simply favorite the best streams and get updates from them in the “Favorites” tab every time you log in.
Like what your fellow Zoosk streamer is doing? Send “hearts” to let them know you think you’re cool!
Navigating Zoosk Live
Zoosk Live! is its own entity apart from Zoosk, although you can meet people on video streaming and add them as friends for private messaging later on.
Once you’re in the video-sharing community, you can search or browse through the categories like Trending, Nearby, Date, New, Favorites, or Leaderboard (most popular).
While you might not be motivated to send virtual gifts to regular Zoosk, you might feel differently on Zoosk Live!
Some Zoosk members go out of their way to entertain themselves and their audience and appreciate getting virtual gifts in the way of diamonds, virtual toy cars, virtual drinks, and all sorts of other fun.
The more you use the Zoosk platform and interact in the video-sharing community, the more visible you become.
Diamond gifts you receive can be traded for Live Credits or even paid out in real money. So it’s not too surprising to know popular Zoosk streamers can make money using this premium dating app.
This is a lot of fun if you want to express yourself, meet new people, and share tidbits of your life with others.
Zoosk Live! Games
Why not have some fun and challenge other Zoosk members to popularity contests? You can enter a “Battle Mode VS” and see who gets the most diamonds.
Next Date is a virtual speed dating game that automatically unlocks a video chat with you and your latest match…
But in front of an audience!
Wow, if you’ve always wanted to be a reality star but never had the opportunity, here you go – all within the comfort of your own home. You can use audience-prompted questions on your virtual date and see the results of the audience rating the chemistry on your date in real time.
It’s the best way to experience a real-life speed dating atmosphere but with a more fun online environment.
Blind Date is a similar game, but with one special asterisk – you can only hear your date but cannot see them. That way, you can test the personality chemistry without the importance of looks.
The longer you talk, the video eventually becomes less blurred until time runs out – and you have to make a decision.
Lastly, you can go on a virtual museum trip with Zoosk Great Dates, which allows you to conference with a mutual match and then “break the ice” by going on a virtual tour of another location.
Boost and Super-Send
In addition to buying Zoosk virtual gifts, you can also spend a little extra to boost your profile or “super-send” an introduction to many potential matches at once.
Remember, most dating sites will NOT do you any favors unless you pay for premium features. If you haven’t received many likes or potential matches (and have good photos), then consider the possibility that you’re just too “hidden” in a sea of singles out there.
Premium and priority listings help to distribute your profile to many different users at once.
Zoosk Cost
Zoosk offers four levels of premium plans:
- $34.99 for 1 month
- $21.66/mo for 3 months
- $15.00/mo for 6 months
- $11.67/mo for 12 months
You can pay for a Zoosk account by using a credit card, PayPal, Google Play, or the Apple App Store.
Zoosk Coins
Apart from subscription prices are Zoosk coins, which are virtual coins that can unlock premium features or donate credits to your fellow members.
Zoosk coins can unlock premium features like:
- Boost your profile
- Prioritize your messages
- Highlight yourself in Carousel feature
- Go invisible while browsing (periods of 20/30 minutes per transaction)
- Buying virtual gifts
- Getting delivery confirmations in messaging
Zoosk coins cost extra besides the regular subscription price.
Best Zoosk Alternatives
Now that you know Zoosk’s main premium features, how does it compare to some of the best dating sites?
eHarmony
eHarmony is considered one of the most scientific and effective matchmaking sites. Based on an extended questionnaire, the system learns your “core values” and then finds the most compatible matches.
With over two million marriages and counting, it’s one of the most popular dating sites for “serious relationships.”
eHarmony vs. Zoosk Reviews
- eHarmony offers a limited free version
- eHarmony offers private video chat
- eHarmony offers an in-depth questionnaire
- Zoosk offers a video-sharing community
- Zoosk offers more freedom in searching
- Zoosk is better for short-term contracts
Seeking
Seeking is known as a luxury dating app – something in between serious dating and just a hookup site. While it was created for wealthy men who want to date younger women, lately, more wealthy females and gay males have also found the site useful.
Unlike other dating apps, Seeking is about customizing a relationship that you want – and not compromising. If you have the money or the beauty, then you can just be honest about your desires.
Seeking vs. Zoosk Reviews
- Seeking offers more verification procedures
- Seeking facilitates meetings between wealthy and beautiful
- Seeking has private video chat
- Zoosk has a more active video sharing community
- Zoosk is not as “anonymous” as Seeking is
- Zoosk is less expensive overall
FriendFinder
FriendFinder (including the sister site AdultFriendFinder) seems to be a bit of casual fun when compared to other popular dating sites. With 90 million users, it’s considered one of the top online dating sites for overall traffic and a growing user base.
While there are familiar features like Who’s Online, Local Hookups, and streaming video chat, what makes FF unique are its chat rooms and forums.
FriendFinder vs. Zoosk Reviews
- FriendFinder has forums and chat rooms for niche interests
- FriendFinder has streaming video from members
- FriendFinder has a NSFW sister site called AdultFriendFinder for casual hookups
- Zoosk is a more general dating app
- Zoosk has a more diverse age range than AFF
- Zoosk’s live video sharing community is much bigger than AFF’s
Zoosk FAQs
If you just made a Zoosk account you may have questions. Relax, we’ve got answers!
Is Zoosk safe to use?
Yes, Zoosk is one of the most trustworthy and secure sites when it comes to dating.
Not only is the site moderated and monitored, but even Zoosk Live streams are moderated. If any user is reported for streaming or messaging harassing or threatening messages, they will be banned from the site.
Any mention of illegal activity, pornographic content, or users under 18 will result in a ban.
How can I stay safe on Zoosk?
To stay safe on Zoosk dating, use common sense and be cautious about communicating off-site with strangers.
It is highly recommended NOT to give out your social media links until you trust the person and have met them in real life.
Zoosk provides a fun AND anonymous online environment where you don’t have to share any information beyond your face and name or alias.
Does Zoosk have disappearing messages?
Zoosk should not have any randomly disappearing messages.
Rather, messages disappear if the other user unmatches with you, blocks you, or deletes Zoosk entirely.
Users are not informed if they receive a rejection or an “unmatching”, but all correspondence will be gone.
Conclusion – Zoosk is the Most Modern of Dating Sites
Zoosk Premium is a very effective dating site that allows you to interact with other singles nearby, or around the world, in a variety of fun ways.
It caters to people who like matchmaking, but it also allows you to search and filter your options. It lets you look for casual dating or serious relationships.
It even lets you customize your favorite way to meet someone new – either through video and face-to-face or just dating the old-fashioned way with a text message and formal introduction.
The free version of Zoosk doesn’t really show you all of your options but is just an in-depth preview of what to expect.
But the premium features of intelligent matchmaking, video sharing, and virtual dating make Zoosk the most “modern dating app” online.
Customize your own success stories according to the relationship you really want.
Why not signup for a free Zoosk account today and see how much fun it is to be single again?
