This is a listing and ranking of the top 15 dating sites. Sites are judged based on quality and the amount of users (more users increases your chances of finding more matches and options). The sites are also investigated to find out what they are best suited for. When you join a site (and maybe spend money on it) you would like to find whatever you are looking for. For example: Going on a relationship site looking for a hookup is not cool and is cringe!

1. Plenty of Fish (dating) – FREE
2. eHarmony (relationships)
3. OkCupid (hookups)
4. Happn (hookups)
5. Facebook Dating (dating, hookups and long term relationships)
6. Match (relationships)
7. Bumble (hookups and dating)
8. Tinder (hookups)
9. Hinge (relationships)
10. Adult Friend Finder (hookups)
11. Clover (hookups and dating)
12. Zoosk (relationships)
13. OurTime (hookups and dating for over 50’s)
14. DateFit (hookups for fitness lovers)
15. Hily (dating and hookups)

The sites above are ranked in score order (Score factors with varying weights are: Users/Quality/Safety/Value for money/US Coverage/& more)

The article Top dating sites appeared first on Dating Online and Meet IRL.

Some basic points before you start.

Now before you start delving into all the possible online dating usernames, you need to think a little bit.

A great username is unique name that identifies you from all the other online dating users out there. Your username needs to be funny, easy to remember and interesting. Now these points may seem a bit stupid but it’s extremely competitive out there. Millions of users sign up for these services and you need every advantage you can get in order to be successful. Remember that your username must still reflect a little bit about you and what type of person you are.

You may also use a lot of abstract terms and descriptive words to form

General online dating usernames:

Most of the online dating profiles out there are badly written with a bad username. Most of these are just a plain old name with a few numbers. For example: John429818. This is an extremely bad username.

You also get users that use a descriptive word in their username such ShortTom or FatJack. These are also very boring usernames.

Even usernames such as: sexygirlwaiting and honestguy21. These are just everywhere. You don’t just get these on the new sites and applications, they are on the older versions as well. People ignore and avoid them easily because they are too common. Think of it as a society. People want to want to be unique and their usernames must reflect that desire.

There are millions of these profiles around the world. While they do get a lot of chats, people lose interest fast. The main problem is that these are just too unimaginative and boring. Think of it as taking your loved one to a library on a date. It would be boring to say the least. There is nothing unique, memorable or distinguishing about it.

Examples of better online dating usernames.

Now you have reached a point where you can find some advice on how to create a good online dating username. There might be a few dozen opinions out there but take a look and decide for yourself.

A username should be wordplay or a pun. It is as simple as that.  Something that sounds familiar but with a twist or something you like to do. Your username can include on of your hobbies or past times.

1. LovingJedi: A loving Star Wars fan.
2. FunnyBookworm: A funny person who likes reading books
3. Lives2Work: A workaholic that is focused on his or her career

These are just a few examples but you can create your own. Do not create vulgar or offensive online dating usernames, as you might get deleted from the service or thousands of users will voice their concerns.

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Can you easily identify an online dating scammer from a “real” dater?

It used to be easy but the answer is no. An online dating scammer creates a normal looking profile with beautiful images and nice descriptions. Fraud is just another part of the business here and to them, there are lots of targets. You can identify one by watching the lines of communication very closely. If you are being pressured to communicate via personal email, you might be a target. You could also view their images and make sure it is not cropped or taken at strange angles.

Is there something on your profile that makes you a target?

Online dating scammers typically play the odds in their quest for money. They always target people that seem gullible or very vulnerable. The people that are mostly targeted are those who are religiously inclined, older women and anyone else who seems vulnerable, generous or faithful. These types of individuals are the ideal targets for a scammer because they know they can get something out of the person. If you are worried that your profile might seem to desperate, you can always ask a friend to review it for you.

Can you be sure your online relationship is authentic?

You cannot be completely sure about it. Some fake relationships can last for months or even years on end and without the victim realizing it. They will search for money each time they can. These people can literally scam thousands of people.

What should you do if you suspect an online dating scammer?

You can always try to get a video call going. It is the simplest way to verify their identity and have a nice talk while you’re at it. If they look differently from their profile picture, you might as well just bail out. You can also look at their Facebook page and if things seem different or strange, just forget about this person. Do not waste your time pushing for answers if you can just have a look yourself. Use search engines, social media, phone calls and video call to verify this person’s identity.

Is your partner an online dating scammer if you receive a lot of gifts?

Scammers bide their time to soften up their targets before they try to score big. It may take months or even years but that really does not concern them. You might receive a lot of gifts and letters while the scammer is targeting you but that is because they expect a bigger payout at the end. If you suspect you might have fallen into a trap, try to verify the person’s identity as mentioned above.

What should you look for?

Anything that seems suspicious or weird can be a potential clue that this person is illegitimate. If you see any photos that are strangely cropped or taken at unusual angles, it could be that someone else was in that photo or it was taken from somewhere. If someone is a bit too pushy such as proclaiming strong feelings in a short time or forcing you to use emails, it might be that the person is using you.

What do you do if you think you are being scammed?

Report to your local police and ask for the cyber crimes unit. Prosecutions are extremely rare but in some cases they can be caught quite easily, especially if the suspect is in the same country. Some online dating services do have report links that will automatically file your report and their staff or police will investigate your claims. The main problem with any cyber crime is jurisdiction due to the country the perpetrator is in. It is extremely hard for one country to arrest criminals in another due to international law.

What is the worst thing that could happen?

There are quite a few thing that could go wrong such as meeting someone completely different from their profile, getting stood up on your first date and many more. You could be asked to travel to another country to meet this person and although it may seem romantic, there are quite a few risks. If you really must travel somewhere, it is always better to have a friend with you in case anything happens.

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