eHarmony Review
With nearly 40% of romantic relationships beginning on the internet today, online dating has never been so promising. Dr. Neil Clark Warren founded eHarmony in 2000, and the website remains one of the leading sites for online dating — especially for those looking for serious long-term relationships.
We included eHarmony in our top picks for dating sites because the company uses a patented compatibility algorithm to match members based on 29 elements. Dr. Warren, a clinical psychologist and Christian theologian, wanted eHarmony matches to be based on science.
Pros
- Proprietary matching system with 29 compatibility markers
- More than 700,000 active members
- Identity verification to reduce fraudulent accounts
- Ability to block other users prevents unwanted communication
- High success rate of matching people with long-term partners
Cons
- Some rural or minority members find compatibility matches to be more scarce
How to Set Up an eHarmony Profile
To get started, you need to select a username and password and log on at eHarmony. On your first visit, you’re prompted to answer some questions to set up your profile. Keep in mind that eHarmony uses 29 dimensions of compatibility, so you have to answer quite a few questions about yourself and your personality to help the system find ideal matches for you.
First, you need to provide information to set up your basic profile. The website asks questions such as:
- Your age, number of children, ethnicity, religion, occupation, income, height and whether you drink or smoke
- Your hobbies, activities, passions and things for which you’re thankful
- The essential qualities you are looking for in a match, including an age range and distance from you
Next, you take eHarmony’s compatibility quiz. This part takes 15 minutes, but don’t rush it. Make sure your answers are thoughtful and accurate — this helps increase the likelihood of a strong match. These questions ask how much you agree or disagree with different phrases and ways of describing yourself.
Complete Your eHarmony Dating Profile
After you complete the quiz, you must upload at least one photo of yourself. After this, your profile is visible to other users. You can add more information and additional photos by clicking on your profile and filling in whatever information you like, including your favorite television shows and movies, the most influential person in your life and other get-to-know-you details.
Narrowing Your Dating Matches
You can also narrow down the matches that eHarmony selects for you by clicking the “Match Preferences” button. This section lets you choose specific parameters, such as whether you’d accept a match who drinks alcohol or smokes, whether you’re looking for someone of a particular nationality or religion, whether you are interested in a match who has children and several other options. Keep in mind that being more specific in this section may result in fewer matches, but they should be better suited to your preferences.
eHarmony Online Dating Costs
eHarmony is a subscription service with tiers. You can join at no cost and build your profile. You have some ability to see matches with a free plan, but you need a paid plan to see their photos and communicate with them. The table below shows standard prices for various plans, but the company often offers discounted rates for new members.
Plan | Length | Monthly Cost | Benefits |
---|---|---|---|
Free | Unlimited | Free | See some match profiles (but not photos) Send pre-written icebreaker questions |
Standard Lite | 6 Months | $45.95 | Notifications when non-Premium members view your profile Unlimited messages, including pre-written icebreakers or your own messages View unlimited photos More matches |
Premium Plus | 12 Months | $29.95 | All benefits of Standard Lite, plus: Incognito browsing so matches won’t know you viewed their profile Notifications when matches have read your messages |
Premium Extra | 24 Months | $10.47 | All benefits of Premium Plus |
eHarmony Complaints
eHarmony receives mixed reviews online. eHarmony is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and receives an A- because the company consistently responds to consumer complaints. Consumers on the BBB give eHarmony 1 out of 5 stars, with many complaints dealing with the company’s automatic subscription renewal process. However, eHarmony recently settled a lawsuit regarding this issue and changed the way it notifies customers about its renewal process to be more transparent. On ConsumerAffairs and TrustPilot, consumer reviewers give eHarmony 1 out of 5 stars. The majority of complaints have to do with not receiving enough compatible matches.
eHarmony Online Dating Q&A
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Is eHarmony LGBT+ friendly for online dating?
eHarmony is designed for heterosexual couples. Its founders established a separate website, Compatible Partners, for gay and lesbian relationship-seekers.
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Does eHarmony have a dating app?
Yes, the app is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Android devices. You must register for a free eHarmony account online before you can download the app.
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What type of matches can I expect from eHarmony?
eHarmony provides two main types of matches: Standard Matches and Compatible Matches. Standard Matches fit your preference requirements that you select when you fill out your profile. Compatible Matches are chosen based on 29 dimensions of compatibility that have to do with your personality, values and behaviors.
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Does eHarmony let members see profiles of those they aren’t matched with?
You can view some, but not all, profiles of people who are not matched with you by clicking the “What if?” button at the top of the screen. This feature lets you send a smile to someone who is not on your list of matches. If they respond, you can become matches.
Conclusion
If you are ready to start looking for someone special, consider building an eHarmony profile. Be sure to read our article about staying safe with online dating, then have fun creating an eHarmony profile that represents your personality and wait for the matches to roll in.