Our Zoosk Review: is Zoosk a Good and Legit? Updated 2024

Published: June 18, 2021
Updated: August 18, 2023
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This Zoosk review will give you a good idea of how it compares to other dating sites and apps. Discover its best online dating features, pros and cons, price breakdown, as well as how to get the most potential matches

Our comprehensive Zoosk review will also show you the difference between the free account and paid subscription features. Are you going to join the millions of Zoosk users out there? Decide below.

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Our Zoosk review

Zoosk is a dating platform for adults from all ages and backgrounds. It has been around for a long time and seems to attract users who are looking for either serious relationships or more casual encounters.

Zoosk is a friendly site and has a lot of fun features. The Smart Pick technology takes into account the profiles you like and dislike and refines the profiles you are shown. This removes the need for a lengthy initial questionnaire.

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Differences between the App & Website

The Zoosk dating app can be downloaded for Apple iPhones or Google Android. Additionally, you can also use Zoosk on a web browser. However, if you’re on the go it’s better to get the app.

All the dating platform features are shared across devices, the main difference between the app and online dating site versions of Zoosk is appearance and layout. On a computer, the profile picture will appear off the side, while on the app it’ll be up top because of the smaller screen.

Our tip when it comes to using Zoosk is to set up your dating profile on your computer. Then, you can browse matches on your app to your heart’s content.

Overall Ease of Use

One of the things behind Zoosk’s broad appeal is its user-friendly site. It’s designed to appeal to a wide range of people looking for an accessible dating experience.

This dating service doesn’t bash you with endless questions at the start. You have the Smart Picks area which unlocks the full power of the Zoosk algorithm. You’ll answer brief questions to get refined dating profile recommendations there.

Other key features, like Dating Insights, Zoosk Coins, visibility settings and notifications are all only a few taps or clicks away. If you use social media, you’ll be right at home on Zoosk.

Finding the perfect match on Zoosk

Browsing dating profiles on Zoosk is easy both on mobile and desktop versions. All you need to do is scroll. This means that you only need to read profile information if you like someone’s main picture. You can also scroll back up, which users seem to like. 

Zoosk also lets you create search filters based on age range, distance radius, height, body type, ethnicity and other criteria. You can save search settings too for ease of use. This can definitely help you nail that perfect match.

You can also use the carousel feature if you like swiping. The algorithm on Zoosk uses behavioural matchmaking to refine the dating profiles you see. So whether you are looking for hookups or a serious relationship, your potential matches will be refined over time.

Tip: Boost your chances of matching

Check out the notifications and suggestions Zoosk emails you. Users have found those algorithm picks more likely to get them an ideal date.

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Zoosk review: Pros and Cons

Zoosk is a user-friendly dating platform that gives you the best of both worlds, scrolling and swiping dating profiles. While there’s room for improvement on video features and virtual gift options, Zoosk is worth trying out.

Pros

  1. Streamlined and convenient free sign-up process
  2. Same features available across the app and website
  3. Familiar, user-friendly dating site and app design: the app offers special features like Zoosk Carousel and Smart Picks
  4. You can scroll back up to check out a dating profile for free
  5. Comprehensive search functionality with multiple filtering options
  6. Robust safety features like photo verification reduce scams and fake profiles
  7. Good balance of genders across Zoosk’s 80,000 active weekly users

Cons

  1. Online dating video features need to be easier for matches to use
  2. Virtual gifts and Zoosk offers can be confusing to understand
  3. You have to pay to send messages to other Zooskers after the 7-day trial period
  4. A fair amount of ads for free account users

The only major criticisms we found while doing this Zoosk review are confusing premium features like Zoosk Coins. There’s an opportunity to better integrate virtual currency and paid membership benefits for all users.

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Free account vs Paid membership features

The key difference between free and paid subscription for Zoosk members is the ability to message other profiles and chat.

Related: How much does Zoosk cost?

Zoosk only has one paid subscription level. Unlike other dating services, your monthly fee covers all the paid features. You can optionally boost those as needed with Zoosk coin packs. However, there are no key features locked away on a higher paid subscription tier.

What can I do for free on Zoosk?

There’s actually plenty to get started with for free on Zoosk. Compared to other dating sites, you can do a decent amount of things before having to pay for anything. Let’s take a look at what the free membership entitles you to.

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What do I get when I pay the monthly fee?

Zoosk offers the following premium features to paying members. The main focus here is being able to chat with other users, get more insightful profile recommendations and visibility options. Let’s take a look at the paid features.

What about Zoosk coins?

Zoosk also has a virtual currency called Zoosk Coins, which you can use to enhance your dating experience. Think of them as power ups, they are not essential to use Zoosk but they can make things more fun and rewarding. 

Zoosk coins can be used to pay for temporarily boosting your profile in searches, sending virtual gifts and sending one message to multiple members with Super Send. Zoosk coins can be bought and used by free or paid members.

As a free member, Zoosk coins can give you limited access to paid features “à la carte”. While for a paid member, they can expand your reach or give you more opportunities linked to certain premium features.

Registration and getting started with Zoosk

Let’s review the Zoosk registration process step by step.

How to sign up to Zoosk

Here are the Zoosk registration steps.

  1. Go to Zoosk.com
  2. Enter your email, orientation and indicate preferences
  3. Enter your location
  4. Add your criteria for body type, religion, views on having children, highest level of education etc.
  5. Check your inbox for an activation email – your access to the account is limited if you don’t do this.
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The whole sign up process takes around five minutes. If you want to make it even quicker, you may use your Google or Facebook account. It takes about ten minutes to complete the profile with all the relevant information.

While signing up with Zoosk is fast, it’s a good idea to take advantage of these other features to enhance your account security and experience. 

Zoosk registration shortcuts

If you’re in a real hurry, then the photo upload section can be skipped, but this inevitably affects how many people will interact with you. It also means you can’t use the Zoosk carousel, which is the main way info is gathered to build Zoosk’s behavioural matchmaking.

Use the Carousel

It’s clear that the Carousel feature is what makes Zoosk different from other comparable dating sites. For each person you see, you can select from ‘match’, ‘meet’ or ‘maybe’. Zoosk uses this to build up a picture of the type of person you’re looking for.

While this feature might be similar to Bumble or Tinder, Zoosk adds the “maybe” which helps if you’re unsure or ambivalent about a certain profile. This makes the dating experience on Zoosk less black and white.

You can either use the carousel feature to find a match, which shows photos of users, or the search option that lets you find matches by profession, appearance, or other key details like views on having children.

How to chat on Zoosk

Once you’ve signed up, contacting other Zoosk users is straightforward. You can send hearts, smiles and gifts. This is provided you either have enough Zoosk coins or a paid membership.

Unless you’ve paid or have enough coins, you can’t send or reply to messages which is frustrating but is meant to encourage you to sign up for the premium features. For subscribers, messaging and chat is easy – just one click or tap away.

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FAQ: Zoosk review

Our comprehensive Zoosk FAQ has information to answer most common questions regarding Zoosk and its online dating service.

How can I tell if someone is a subscriber?

If someone is a subscriber to Zoosk, it’s indicated on their profile, and only subscribers can send messages.

How can I block someone?

Click the report/block button on their profile

How can I remove connections?

If you decide you don’t want to talk to someone anymore, just remove them as a connection. This is really straightforward.

From your computer:

  1. Log in to zoosk.com
  2. Click on “Connections”
  3. Click the picture of the connection you want to remove. This brings up a menu
  4. Click “remove connection” and click “yes” to confirm.

From your Android or iOS device:

  1. Log in to the Zoosk app
  2. Tap on the profile you want to remove from connections
  3. Tap the three dots “…” – you’ll find these on the top right of the profile
  4. Choose “Remove Chat Permission” from the list of actions

What does it mean to add someone on Zoosk?

Adding someone means you’re interested in them and want to talk. Whenever you send a like or a smile, it means you want to make a connection.

How can I tell when someone was last online?

You’ll see a green dot if they’re online now, or a blue dot if they were online recently.

How can I chat on Zoosk?

The Zoosk chat room is available to all paid members to access. Look for the Chat function or chatroom area to get started.

How do I change the country on Zoosk?

  1. Go to zoosk.com and log in.
  2. Click on your profile photo at the top right corner, then click on “My Profile”.
  3. Next to your location select “edit”.
  4. Enter your new location or postcode and click “save”.

What are Zoosk coins?

Zoosk coins are used to buy extra features. With Zoosk coins you can:

  1. Boost your profile
  2. Send virtual gifts like flowers, or a box of chocolates
  3. Browse invisibly for a limited time.

You can buy Zoosk coins or earn them through occasional promotions.

What are Zoosk personals?

These are messages that come directly to your inbox.

What are Zoosk gifts?

You can send a virtual gift, such as chocolates, flowers or a virtual kiss.

What are Zoosk Smart Picks?

These are people Zoosk picks out for you by gathering and analysing your browsing and liking activity on the site. Zoosk Smart picks are like Google search results but for online dating.

Zoosk uses an algorithm to hone its selection of profiles you see on Smart Picks. These will be dating profiles Zoosk deems to be most relevant to you.

What is Zoosk Carousel?

This is Zoosk’s main matchmaking feature. Using Zoosk Carousel you can send flirt pings or skip a person if they’re not your cup of tea. Who you choose or reject affects the Smart Picks Zoosk reviews.

What are Zoosk connections?

A connection is made if you and another member both say “yes” to each other.

How much does it cost to message on Zoosk?

To be able to message on Zoosk, you need a paid subscription. These can cost anywhere between AU$34.95 and AU$14.95 per month depending on how long you sign up for.

Why is Zoosk sending me emails?

You might be getting emails for Zoosk offers but also for dating profile recommendations Zoosk reviewed which you might find interesting. Either way, you can change your email and notification preferences both on the dating app and website.

Does Zoosk show up on Facebook or Google?

Zoosk does not show up on your Google or Facebook account. If you sign up through either one, Zoosk will pull details and photos to prefill your profile so you don’t have to go through the hassle. If that doesn’t sound good to you, just sign up with your email address.

Is Zoosk a legitimate site?

Yes, Zoosk has well-thought out security features to ensure members are safe. Zoosk reviews fake profiles and potential scams. Moderators are on hand to review flagged profiles and track suspicious behaviour.

What is Zoosk’s company information?

Zoosk Founders and CEO: Shayan Zadeh and Alex Mehr

Main Website: www.zoosk.com

Zoosk Headquarters:

989 Market Street

Fifth Floor

San Francisco, CA 94103

United States

Alternatives Zoosk

Find casual flirts that may potentially turn into long-term relationships with sites like Zoosk.