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Zoosk

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LAST UPDATED: December 17th, 2023

Zoosk has over 40 million members worldwide, with more than 3 million messages sent per day. Unlike other dating apps and sites, Zoosk users can utilize their algorithm to find matches, or browse by preference. Users are evenly split between males and females, providing you a great chance of finding your true love. There is a free version of Zoosk available, and members can use this service easily on their mobile device by downloading Zoosk from the mobile app store. It is also available via Amazon and Facebook Apps.

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Attention: Zoosk reviews reveal subpar customer service and other concerns.

Positive Zoosk reviews (below) state that the online dating site is easy to use, reasonably secure, and a great way to meet locals in the area. However, the majority of user reviews reveal that customers aren't happy with the number of out-of-date profiles, fake accounts, and scammers on Zoosk. Other reported issues include subpar customer service and difficulty canceling a premium membership or deleting Zoosk accounts. 

Keep reading to learn more about Zoosk pros and cons or read feedback from real users. 

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The Good

  • Easy Profile Set Up
  • Match and Search Features
  • Dating Insights and Advice
  • Zoosk Couples

Easy Profile Set Up   

Signing up for Zoosk doesn't take quite as long as some other online dating sites with in-depth personality questionnaires, like eHarmony, EliteSingles, and Match.com. Either an email address or a Facebook account is required to register online. If you sign up with Facebook, you can easily upload a profile picture from your account. You can create a Zoosk profile in about 10 minutes (depending on how much information you give). 

The site asks for basic information such as height, gender, body type, children, education, religion, a few pictures, and other information to help members get better matches. There’s an option to add a 1,500 character story to your profile. You can also describe your perfect match or ideal date in 1,500 characters each.

Each Zoosk member can input their interests and go into detail on what their ideal date would be. Each user has the option to verify their Zoosk profile with their social media, either a Twitter or Facebook account. You can also use photo verification or verify your account with a cell phone number. This helps to improve  your reputation on Zoosk. 

The Zoosk mobile app also makes it easy to update any information and find potential matches. The dating app is available to download Zoosk in the app store for iOS devices Android devices.

Match and Search Features

Zoosk gives you plenty of options for interacting and matching with other users. Unlike many dating websites that it competes with, Zoosk's dating platform lets a person experience both major types of online dating in one service: scientific matchmaking based on an algorithm and location pairing for nearby matches. Zoosk members can also connect by searching for profiles using advanced filters, chatting with users online, and sorting profiles on carousel. 

Scientific Matching 

Zoosk has a premium feature called SmartPick, which evaluates your compatibility with other Zooskers. It uses Behavioral Matchmaking technology to learn from which profiles you like or pass on to streamline your match suggestions in the future. It also offers a survey to help you get more compatible matches. You will find your match suggestions in the SmartPick feature. 

Location Pairing 

This section lets users search through local singles, with lots of search filter options, including a geo radius of 3 to 100 miles. You can even save search parameters for easy access later. 

Filtered Searches

Users can search for matches with Zoosk’s advanced filters. Narrow down your search by height, gender, body type, children, smoking habits, education, religion. If you find a potential match, let them know you are interested by sending them a like, smile, or message.

Real-Time Interactions 

The “Online Now” feature allows you to chat with other users who are currently on the app. You don’t have to wait and wonder if someone will log back on and view your message. With the “Online Now” feature, you know you are connecting with an active user. 

Carousel Sorting 

The carousel feature is similar to the Tinder matching system. Users quickly determine their interest in another Zoosk member based on condensed profiles. You can select yes, no, or maybe on each profile. If you both get a mutual yes, you can start messaging one another. This is also one of the features that helps determine the SmartPick matches. 

Dating Insights and Advice

Zoosk's blog is filled with hundreds of articles about online dating. Members can read through the articles to get dating advice, learn how to stay safe while online dating, learn how to send and respond to messages, and find the latest dating studies. There are even articles about marriage and ways to make a long-term relationship last.

Zoosk Couples

Zoosk has an entire success story page showing off the men and women who have used Zoosk and found love. The site shares the stories of couples who are currently in a long-term, serious relationship, married, or happily in love because of Zoosk.

While this isn't a dealbreaker for whether people should sign up for the site, it is nice to see couples who have braved the online dating world and found love.

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The Bad

  • Consumer Complaints
  • Limited Virtual Dating Options
  • Pay to Message, Chat, and Use Other Features
  • Coin Costs and Limitations
  • Automatic Renewal
  • No Refunds
  • Does Not Attempt to Verify Information
  • No Customer Support Hotline

Consumer Complaints

Out of more than 80 BestCompany reviews collected, the average Zoosk review rating is less than 1.5 stars out of five.

What are the biggest complaints that people have about this online dating service and app?

  • Fake profile issues — Many people feel that Zoosk is littered with fake profiles and online scammers.
  • User experience — The dating site is mentioned several times as overly difficult to navigate.
  • Customer service — Several reviews report that Zoosk customer support is subpar at best.
  • Bait and switch messages — Many report that the platform is regularly sending bogus messages to get non-paying Zoosk free members to sign up for a paid membership.

Additional common complaints include how difficult it is to delete your Zoosk account or cancel a premium membership and the excessive push for basic account members to make in-app purchases.

Limited Virtual Dating Options

Zoosk does not partner with a video chat service. Competing online dating sites have a feature that allows you to set up a virtual date. This is a disadvantage for long-distance relationships or socially distanced dates.

Pay to Message, Chat, and Use Other Features

Customers looking to sign up for a Zoosk subscription can pay per month or choose between three-month or six-month subscription options. You will also need to pay an additional one-time activation fee when you upgrade to a paid Zoosk membership. 

Online daters will have to sign up for one of Zoosk's monthly subscriptions to message, chat, see who's viewed them, and see Connections from SmartPick and Carousel.

While free members can see full profiles of other members in Online Now and Search, there isn't much more that you can do on Zoosk for free. The Zoosk free trial is merely for those looking to see how the site works and if it's right for them.

If you want to message anyone on the Zoosk app, you will need to become a premium member.

Coin Costs and Limitations

Like most online dating platforms, Zoosk offers subscription plans and online currency purchases. Zoosk cost is comparable to other online paid dating platforms. 

Coins can be purchased by both free members and paid subscribers. Zoosk coins can be used for a variety of features on the platform, including the following:

  • Boost — Zoosk highlights your dating profile in search results, inbox messages, and other users' Carousel.
  • Unlock Carousel Matches — Unlock another member's profile, suggested to connect with users that have expressed interest in you. 
  • Buy Virtual Gifts — To show interest in another person and differentiate yourself from the crowd, you can use 10 to 100 coins to buy them a virtual gift. Gifts are basically cute little graphics of things like hearts, a gem, lips, a cupcake, a bouquet of flowers, and more.
  • Delivery Confirmations (for paid subscribers only) — Also known in the dating app world as “read receipts,” this option will let you know when another person has opened your chat message
  • Go Invisible — Pay to browse and view member profiles for 30 minutes without being shown in their Views list

Coins can't be used to chat, send, or read messages. You still have to be a paid subscriber to access messaging and chat features. While the coin feature provides users with unique upgrade options, this style of payment can end up adding a lot of frustration on the user side. Even after you upgrade, you will receive notifications to buy coins which could end up costing you a lot more than you originally budgeted. 

Automatic Renewal

Zoosk members should know that subscriptions will automatically renew unless the account is canceled before the end of the premium subscription term. This is typical of an online dating subscription but can catch users off guard if they are not anticipating the charge. 

No Refunds

In its Terms of Service, this dating website mentions that all charges are nonrefundable and there are no refunds or credits for any partially used Paid Services (including partially used subscription periods) and Zoosk coin balances.

Does Not Attempt to Verify Information

While users have a slew of Verification options to list their profile as verified, they should also be aware that Zoosk currently does not routinely screen registered users, inquire into the background of its users, attempt to verify information provided by its users or conduct criminal screenings of its users.

This isn't unique. It's pretty common in the online dating industry.

No Customer Support Hotline

If you need help with something, there are only a few options outside of help articles and video tutorials. You can contact customer support through an on-site email form. A customer service hotline is not offered on-site. Additionally, live chat is not a contact option on this platform.

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The Bottom Line

People looking for a generic dating site with plenty of users can consider Zoosk as an option. Zoosk is a recognized name, and there are quite a few people who have found success using the site. Setting up a profile is easy and there are some good blog posts on how to navigate the world of online dating.

However, a significant number of consumer reviews reveal some issues with the service that daters might find troublesome. Many customers have a problem with the fact that the site only allows those with paid memberships to use any features. Other online dating sites usually have one or two free features for non-paying members, but Zoosk pretty much requires members to pay to message, chat, or anything else. Once purchasing a subscription, many members felt that it wasn't worth their time and money, as they thought there was a substantial number of scammers and fake profiles.

Overall, we recommend online daters find out more about Zoosk before signing up for a paid subscription and scroll down to read online reviews.

Have you tried out Zoosk in search of your perfect match? How did it go? Would you recommend this dating service to a friend? Let us know about your experience with a quick review below.

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Star Rating

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1.7

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288 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

3%

4 grade

3%

3 grade

3%

2 grade

9%

1 grade

83%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Gonch Batilda Norway, MI

Three times I paid money for a Zoosk subscription. Once in March 2021, in November 2021, and April 2022. All in all, I connected & met ONE lady, 65 miles from my home in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As of June 2022, I am repeatedly contacting Zoosk support to get details for the way I can, again, cancel my subscription, and have the remaining money I paid, refunded. I have emailed Zoosk support 7 times over 1 month. No response so far. My experiences... Zoosk is all about 'viewing' profiles. You view women, they view you. It's a circular dance that just doesn't stop. If I view Brenda, she gets a notice that I viewed her. It's likely she will then view me. I'll get a notice that she viewed my profile. Because the 'Search' aspect of Zoosk essentially views profiles and notifies the profile owner, this gives rise to the same circular viewing cycle. I have given up viewing anybody. Currently there are 35 views pending for me to look at. I won't. Because it just feeds the spiral. 'Carousel' is similar to 'Searching'. But it is not (to my awareness) constrained by my selected 'Search' parameters. Thus, if I have set up a limit of 50 miles 'Search' area, when I participate in the 'Carousel' feature, it is certain I will be offered women much further than 50 miles away. They get a view and a notice, then they (likely) view me. I get a notice via email. The cycle begins again. 'Carousel' presents (added to the person's photo) the age of the woman, but not the LOCATION. This is highly frustrating. A woman may be ideal in age-range and physical appearance, but she may live 315 miles away. The only way to discover the distance, is to tag the 'Carousel' person-of-the-moment as "Maybe I want to meet" or "Yes, I want to meet", which makes it a 'View', and the person gets an email notice. The perpetual viewing cycle begins. 'Connections' is a sort of holding area for profiles I might send a 'Like' or message to. Sort of a bookmark mechanism. It is also a bit quicker way to access the messaging aspect of Zoosk. If nothing comes of a connection, it can be deleted. The instant messaging / chat aspect of Zoosk is marginally responsive. Far better in my opinion is, one example, Facebook messenger. When one views profile pictures - especially using the 'View' or 'Carousel' aspect of Zoosk, the age of the person is shown in WHITE letters in the lower-left corner of the picture. Often - depending what the individual is wearing in the picture - it can be near-impossible to see the "Age: 55" text in the lower-left corner. The various Zoosk subscription plans are consistent with other "meet people / dating" website. When a subscriber is notified by email of a 'View' or other trigger, there is advertising embedded in the email. Occasionally, and not seldom, Zoosk will send an email saying "We've selected 10 ladies you might want to meet". This is a bald-face temptation to sign-in, and start viewing prospects. Once that's done, the viewing cycle starts up. I've seen a considerable number of profiles that are very likely 'dead' or abandoned. Because Zoosk gives NO INDICATION when a profile user was last signed-in to the system, there's no way of knowing how stale a profile might be. Obviously, your mileage may vary from what I describe. My overall assessment of Zoosk is, it is barely worth the investment. Because its subscription plans are more economical than big-name similar services, it's easy to be enticed to subscribe, to save money. I strongly suggest people who live in smaller towns, more rural locations, the odds are stacked heavily against you. Statistically, not many singles in or near your rural location will have subscribed.

1 year ago

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Don Clifton, NJ

Like most dating sites, Zoosk is littered with fake profiles and scammers. Customer service is another joke with this site. Customer service (like most customer service depts these days) is based in the Philippines where a language barrier exists and they can't understand half of what you're saying and you can't understand half of what they're saying. I just spent an hour on the phone with them trying to get a technical issue with their mobile app resolved and wound up pulling hair out of my head in the process, I'm a techie so I know a thing or 2 about how the app is supposed to work since I'd already been using it for months. I felt like I was talking to a robot who could only read from a script. Came away from that call with a bad taste in my mouth about the company. Tech support is supposed to contact me in a day or 2 with a resolution. I've got my seatbelt buckled for that one, believe me!

1 year ago

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K F Philadelphia, PA

I do not like the way the Views section works. If you scroll down the views, it will tell everyone you scrolled by that you have viewed them. You cannot clear out the section. If you try to delete each individual view, it tells that person that you have viewed them and then they view you back. So, it's really difficult to know with any accuracy who is actually viewing you with interest and who is simply responding to a message that you have viewed them. I've been on the site for eight months and I'm seeing people from eight months ago in the 'new' category - wonder how long you are considered 'new'?

2 years ago

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Roy Thornberry Tuscaloosa, AL

I think Zoosk is a bogus dating service. Many of the people you will see are no longer members are don’t exist anymore. However they continue to be populated to keep you interesting. I am no longer a paying member and do not have a profile. However, I was looking as a guest and I continue to see one woman who can use me frequently, but her photo or profile or not present! How does that happen? At times, it will say she is presently online. But, once again I cannot find her photo or profile. It used to be there but now it has disappeared and I continue to get beers from her. Just don’t think this site is for real and operates in a very fraudulent manner. Don’t waste your money!

2 years ago

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Jennifer Mckinnon , WI

No sure if it’s a website issue but I can’t say no to my matches it won’t work. I can click the heart and click yes but I can’t click the X to say no. I have to have everybody on my dashboard very frustrating. You can’t hide your profile or anything extra without paying extra. I’m constantly being matched up with smokers when I don’t smoke and I don’t want smokers. You can’t delete any of your connections so I have to go through many remember remember which ones I liked. This website is not user-friendly and I feel that there are system glitches that perhaps are not glitches but are built that way. Staying on for a month and then I’m getting off.

3 years ago

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marina lobas Buxton, NC

Hello! I'm writing to get attention from Customer service for i cancelled my subscription more than a year ago and my profile is still there! Looks like you do not have enough females so you have been keeping me as one of them on your site. For a period of last year my e mail box (regular e m ail) has been full of notifications from site users. I could not go to this site to simply remove my account, no access for me to do that. And customer service won't make changes because it is someone’s else account (i'm guessing about privacy law). It is so unfair because men were writing to me with hope to find a partner. However in reality they write to inactive account with pretty picture.

3 years ago

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synct Cassville, NJ

Once I upgraded to a paying membership, it got better. If you pay, you get a much better level of women. No pay? Bottom tier. However, there are ALOT of scammers who will approach you, especially if you elect the option to allow women to email you. Scammers look for that! However, I ask the scammers for info on what they say is their location. religion, etc. If they can't confirm facts, I know they're fake. I report them as Fake Profiles. More than half that I got were fake, but I had to get around those. I did meet about 6 women off-line, some nice. Better than POF, but more work. Then, my profile was deleted by Zoosk because it was "compromised." I had to create a new profile (they wiped out my old one completely!) They offered a month free service - but I lost my profile text and all of the contacts I was messaging. NOT HAPPY

3 years ago

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Mike Saint Paul, MN

I decided to try Zoosk out with the one month subscription. It took about the whole month to realize what they were up to, and how things worked. I met a few very nice ladies, and though no romantic connection, we are now friends, and communicate regularly. There are way to many notification emails, which got very annoying, and constant interruptions while browsing to buy coins... and so on! Read the other reviews here, 99% are accurate! My subscription expired, and suddenly Zoosk is sending emails that my account is “delinquent”, and that it won’t be renewed because of “non-payment”! Lol! By design,...... I used a prepaid card when I signed up, and made sure there weren’t any funds in it come auto renew time!! Oh, and I had “cancelled” the auto renew, guess what....... didn’t work.....! Don’t waste your money on Zoosk!

5 years ago

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KENNETH H KAISER

Zoosk starts out seemingly fine. Then it turns out they are shady and not trying to match you with anyone. They ignore your distance preference, showing you members 100 - 2000 miles away. They tell you someone viewed your profile when they swiped by it. If you start deleting members from the list of who viewed you that person gets notified that you viewed them so the same people you deleted are right back trying to talk to you. They have a thing they offer to put your account on hold so you can take a break and not get bothered and come back when you want but they don't tell you that your membership keeps rolling and when you get back you have no more paid membership it expired. You have to pay again. How shady is that? There is much more but no room here to tell it all. Otherwise just like other sites. A lot of women that just want attention and women who think they are hotter than they are really because of the ratio of men to women and even a troll feminist will get 50 messages a day from desperate men who would mate with a wombat if they could catch one. So they think they can be snotty and reject men that in real life they would need new underwear if he even smiled at her. I'm sure their are some real winners when it comes to the available men on that site also. So, same thing just shadier business practices than other dating sites.

6 years ago

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Marcella Garry Garden City, MI

Coincidentally, approximately two weeks before my accounts were set to be renewed, I started having “Account Access” issues. Each and every time I emailed Customer Service and stated the issue , waited on a response and also informed them that I expected them to either credit me each day I was without access or credit my credit card-neither one happened. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS SITE.

1 year ago

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Amy Kartage Newport News, VA

I kept getting notices of men checking my profile, but I wasn't getting any messages. Reading more on this, it looks like Zoosk does indeed send bogus notifications to get you to keep coming in. I've had 2 fake men over the 2 months who chatted with me, told me how nice I looked, wanted to text/call, and then just disappeared. Love bombing! I filled out my information and who I was/wasn't interested in, but the algorithm doesn't seem to get it! I have too much in my life right now to deal with this!

2 years ago

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Terry S Saint Cloud, MN

None of the rrporting options work. If you click to block some one they return the next time you search. If you report a fake profile, aain nothing is done. I have at least 24 women age 50s to 60s in a small town 12 miles away. None respond and it's obvious they're fake. Again, all have no kids and never married. What are the odds? A waste of money.

2 years ago

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Looking for a Partner

Zoosk does a poor job of matching. All dating sites have the same problem, they match you with people out of your distance range. They also decide what age group you should be matched with. While you pay for a subscription, they are always trying to sell you something else to enhance your experience. Since your experience is poor to start with adding in more money isn't going to make any difference. I am an older woman over 70 and the men on Zoosk as is the same on other dating sites are looking for much younger women. All in all these sites are a waste of time and money

4 years ago

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Donna Oyster Bay, NY

It took me about 3 weeks to get fed up with zoosk. Their site navigation sucks. Be prepared to get a ton of error messages. After cancelling my subscription (I paid for six months and only used three weeks), they are still sending me texts saying people are messaging me. I'm trying to find out if my profile is still on there, which infuriates me. How can we not have control over our own life, face, and information? I would give this site no stars if it wasn't for some nice men that I met on there, but everyone tells me match is far superior a site to use.

5 years ago

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MARIAN Beachwood, OH

Their system generated automated message that you respond to and gets no response is very disheartening when u are looking to communicate with that person Now I know why and that Carousel match it a joke I'm through with any online dating services especially ZOOSK I found someone but I never got to chat because of the additional cost It all about the mighty dollar and nothing is 'free''

5 years ago

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JOHN Aslan

I was charged twice in 4 days apart,Coin payments .Payment ! was for 180 coins I spent or wasted 30 and did not get Even a reply message.Four days later I made another coin payment 30 coins and a second payment was deducted from my direct debit account. have got nowhere or reply or help typing as to why can a debit charge for another180coins be taken This more than proves zoost cant be trusted with the power of card details.

6 years ago

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Pam Huggins Charlotte, NC

I’ve been on the online dating site Zoosk for three weeks, hasn’t been easy you’ll leave messages mostly the person that you message is not receiving the message it will post but few minutes it will unposed I’ve missed a lot of chats I’m just not happy about this I’ve lost for the one month but I will not renew,

1 year ago

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TM A Calgary, AB

Usually a disappointing experience. Most of the women are totally unattractive in my area however elsewhere and way too far away, they look nice. That is a mystery to me. Also of the ones I do have an interest it is few and far between that I get responses. I am a descent looking , healthy male at my age and it don't mean....you got it.

2 years ago

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Hearts1019 Genoa City, WI

I'm very disappointed by the way of getting info entered. When I tried to set the distance, it wouldn't let me. It just went to auto-set, as well as the age. I was looking at profiles that were literally 1000s of miles away

2 years ago

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Steve Pitman Largo, FL

When you search for free online dating zoosk pops up,however they anything but free,their actually quite expensive,and their website needs much improvement,photos on the site are often cut in half.

2 years ago

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Kay Miami, FL

Mostly construction workers wanting to hookup online without ever meeting, There are men watching sports and wanting some company during, not really a dating site

2 years ago

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Abigail scoville American Fork, UT

I downloaded this with very high hopes but they were crushed as I found that zoosk was very hard to navigate. I had no idea how to work the app and had to delete it after a few days out of pure confusion.

5 years ago

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Andrea

Not very good. Matches are pretty generic many from further distances. Sometimes not fitting the criteria I selected.

3 years ago

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Hairlena Tucson, AZ

It is constantly asking for more money to talk to people and send you fake messages and likes its stupid .

5 years ago

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Mandy Williamson Lehi, UT

Didn’t really like it. Got way too many older men.

2 years ago