blackpeoplemeet
Is This Your Business?1.5
2.2
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Founded in 2002, BlackPeopleMeet (BPM) has grown to become the largest online dating network for black singles in the United States. With over a million singles actively online dating each month, many have been able to find relationships on the platform.
BlackPeopleMeet is owned by PeopleMedia, which has been owned by match.com since 2009. Other People Media sites include OurTime and SingleParentMeet.
BlackPeopleMeet is a great stop for online daters looking to find a companion from the convenience of their computer or mobile device.
Who is BlackPeopleMeet for?
BlackPeopleMeet is a niche online dating website for black singles over the age of 18. Even though this is a niche dating site, anyone can join, regardless of their ethnicity. When signing up, users have the following options:
Of course, as with all dating sites, there are a few other member eligibility requirements. For example, additional requirements include the following:
- Being single or separated from your spouse
- No history of felonies, violent crimes, or sex crimes
- No registered sex offenders
What is the BlackPeopleMeet signup like?
To get a taste of how the site works and the available dating pool, interested singles can sign up for this online dating service at no cost. You can access the site through your internet browser or via apps for Android and iOS devices.
Account Registration Process
To start, registration information includes setting up an account with basic details:
That's not all you can do on your BlackPeopleMeet profile. There are lots of other things you have the option to fill out, but if you do the bare minimum you can be checking out other users and swiping in less than five minutes.
Dating Profile Overview
Your dating profile helps to connect you with others who are interested in similar things. The more forthcoming you are, the more likely you are to get messaged by someone who fits your preferred criteria.
Users can add basic information to their profile with fields to describe themselves, including education, occupation, religion, and physical appearance. BPM profiles also include several fields for people to answer personality questions, share personal interests, and describe what they are looking for in a partner.
You have the option to provide up to three longer-form statements of up to 1,250 characters each, covering the following topics:
- In A Nutshell — Describe yourself 'in a nutshell' with a basic greeting for people who visit your profile. BPM offers autofill suggestions based on personality traits to help you get started on your profile; however, you can also click to edit this statement.
- The One I Am Looking For — Describe what you are looking for in a partner.
- I'd Just Like to Add — Fill out more specific details about yourself to attract compatible matches.
Profile Photos
BlackPeopleMeet users can add up to 30 photos to their dating profile. JPG, PNG, BMP, and GIF file types are accepted.
While you can't sign in with Facebook authentication or use it to create your account, you can upload photos directly from your Facebook account.
Note: You also have an option to let your photos (and profile) to show up on the company's related partner sites by opting in.
How does BlackPeopleMeet work?
Once your free BlackPeopleMeet account is created, you will be able to see how the site works. The quick and easy registration process lets you start browsing through available singles within just a few minutes.
BlackPeopleMeet offers a few different ways to connect with other members, but the basic two options are called Matches and Search.
Matches Feature
Under the Matches section, members are presented with daily suggestions of compatible partners, according to your account preferences. You can swipe through these matches, selecting either Pass if you aren't interested, or Yes to save a profile to your Flirts section, so you can check back later. This action will add your profile to the other members' Flirts inbox, so they have the option to connect or Flirt with you.
Search Feature
In addition to providing match suggestions, this dating site also lets users search for other members to connect with. When you search for matches, you can edit your results with various search filters, including the following:
You can sort and filter search results by age, location, and other profile data. You can also prioritize search results, based on helpful criteria, including the following:
- New site members
- Recent activity
- Currently online
- Distance (by zip code or state)
There is also a keyword search option, which allows you to search for profiles that contain certain words or phrases. This is the only section that offers a distance radius setting, with options from 25 to 100 miles from your zip code.
When You Find a Profile You Like
If you find a profile that you like, you have a few different ways to show that you are interested. The free option is to send a Flirt. This will notify the user with an automated message and add your profile to their Inbox. If they view your profile and send a Flirt back, you will be notified of an Echo, indicating common interest.
From another members' profile, you also have the option to do the following:
- Save to your Favorites (free)
- View photos, with options to Like or say I'm Interested, which sends a Flirt (free)
- Send a message (paid) or virtual gift (paid)
- Chat if they are online (paid)
- Text or call using the ConnectMe feature (paid)
- Sign up to NotifyMe (paid) to be alerted when they are online
- Be added to their list of Daily Matches via the MatchMe feature (paid)
When Someone Likes Your Profile
When you log in to your account, there are a few different ways to see who has shown interest in you. First, your Inbox shows any messages and comments you receive, as well as mutual match results, called Yeses to Me. It also includes sections to see who has viewed your profile, sent you Flirts and Likes , or saved you to their Favorites
Of course, paid members will also be able to send messages, chats, and use the site's phone forwarding service, ConnectMe, to get in contact with other members.
All access to your Inbox requires a paid subscription.
What can you do for FREE on BlackPeopleMeet?
BlackPeopleMeet's platform lets users do several things for free. You can see people who are online now and available to chat. You can peruse profiles of suggested matches and search for compatible members.
This website lets you view member pictures and profiles without passing the paywall. This isn't always the case — many other online dating sites blur out pictures and limit profile visibility until you subscribe.
However, any contact with other members requires a paid subscription. You cannot send or read messages or chats from other members. You can't even see who has mutually matched with you without paying.
Does BlackPeopleMeet have premium features?
Yes. While you can do a few things for free like saying Yes to a match or send someone a Flirt, on this dating site, you have to be a paid subscriber to receive any real feedback from others. The following paid features are included:
- Chat via instant message
- Enhanced search and match options
- Read and reply to messages
- See who is interested in your profile (who has flirted or faved you)
- See when sent messages have been read
Premium Subscription Options
Your first premium subscription includes a $3.99 processing fee, unless you do a mail-in order. So, your initial subscription will really cost you:
Accepted payment methods:
BlackPeopleMeet Tokens
In addition to an ongoing subscription, you can get access to upgraded features in the BPM platform by purchasing and redeeming Tokens, the site's in-app currency.
Tokens can be used to pay for optional perks, including the following:
- MatchMe — Pay 20 tokens to appear in someone's daily matches, to see if they are interested in you (requires adding a photo). This way, you can see if someone is interested in you, without having to make the first move.
- PromoteMe — Pay 20 tokens to appear at the top of search results for one hour. Promoted profiles get 50 times more views and ten times more messages. This service includes a recap showing how many users viewed your profile during your one-hour session.
- VirtualGifts — Pay 10–75 tokens to send one of your matches a virtual gift. This is one way to show that you are interested. Virtual gifts are graphics with things like roses, jewelry, flowers, golf clubs (60 tokens), a watch (75), or a teddy bear (20)
- NotifyMe — Pay 20 tokens to get a notification when a specific member logs into the site during the next 7 days. They also get told that you are waiting and interested. You will get on-site notifications if you are currently online. If you aren't online, you will get email alerts.
If you are interested in accessing these benefits, there are a few different Token packages available to purchase online or in the app:
- $9.99 for 280 tokens
- $3.99 for 110 tokens
- $0.99 for 25 tokens
Tokens have a limited shelf life. They have to be used within 180 days of purchase or they will expire.
Additionally, any token purchases will automatically renew — either after they expire (180 days), or when your token balance dips under 21. Purchases are non-refundable.
Now that we have covered the basics, you can keep reading for pros and cons of joining BlackPeopleMeet's online dating service or skip directly to consumer reviews to see what users have to say.
Spoiler alert: Of the reviews collected so far, it's not looking good for this dating site.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Niche Black Dating Site
- Free Dating Tips and Advice
- ConnectMe Privacy Feature
Niche Black Dating Site
BlackPeopleMeet is the largest black dating site for black singles in the United States. According to the BlackPeopleMeet website, this online dating site/mobile app has built the largest community of African-American singles looking for love, relationships, friendships, and dates. The site boasts that black people can quickly view and contact thousands of other singles in their area and each site feature will help more men and women to meet.
Each profile also has an option to share it with a friend. As you are looking through local singles, and you find someone that would be a good fit for a friend, you can send them an email link.
Free Dating Tips and Advice
BlackPeopleMeet has a blog that offers great dating insights for black couples and singles. If you are new to the dating game this can be especially helpful when creating a profile or trying to understand the new learning curve that often comes with online dating.
ConnectMe Privacy Feature
If you don't want to give out your phone number to a stranger, you can use BlackPeopleMeet's online ConnectMe feature to get a private phone number with calls and texts, as well as online voicemail.
This service is included with the paid subscription and lets BPM users interact through the site without exchanging personal phone numbers. This is a helpful security feature. ConnectMe forwards your calls and messages to whichever phone number you select. You can change the phone number where your calls and messages will be forwarded through your account settings.
It works with both mobile and landlines, though some office VoIP systems don't work. If you want to use text messaging, you have to register a mobile number and the messages aren't free. They will be billed according to your carrier rates.
ConnectMe does not work with phones from Metro PCS or Nextel. Additionally, it is only offered in the continental United States.
The Bad
- No Free Messaging
- User Experience
- No Subscription Refunds
- Poor Security
- Customer Service
- Account Deletion Clarification
- No Match Proximity Filter
No Free Messaging
Browsing and setting up an account on BlackPeopleMeet is entirely free. However, if you want to actually talk to another person, you will need a paid subscription. A paid membership with BlackPeopleMeet provides access to several features, including the following:
- Read and reply to unlimited messages
- Chat with other members online
- ConnectMe phone and SMS forwarding
- See who flirts with you
- See who favorites you
- See who has viewed your profile
The cost to join BlackPeopleMeet isn’t the lowest in the industry, but its also not the most expensive. BPM members should be prepared to pay for a premium account if they want to fully experience the dating site.
You can upgrade to a paid BlackPeopleMeet membership online or via in-app purchases in both the App Store and Google Play.
User Experience
The online user experience at blackpeoplemeet.com is really outdated. The website looks like it hasn't been updated for years.
However, the BlackPeopleMeet app and mobile site are more intuitive.
No Subscription Refunds
BlackPeopleMeet allows its members to cancel their membership at any time. Members can cancel online or by sending the company a written notice of cancellation. After canceling, members will still have access to all the subscription benefits until the end of the then-current subscription commitment, which will then expire.
Online daters should also be aware that paid memberships automatically renew. If you do not cancel your paid subscription before the end of your subscription period, you will get charged. BPM states that in no event will members be eligible for a refund of any portion of the subscription fees paid for.
However, according to the site's terms and conditions, subscribers in a few states may be eligible for a refund up to three business days from their original purchase date due to local laws:
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Poor Security
While BlackPeopleMeet is a great source for black singles to meet, socialize, and date, the site doesn’t have a comprehensive security policy. BlackPeopleMeet does not conduct criminal background checks or screenings, nor does it offer account verification.
While most online dating websites do not provide criminal background checks, many do offer some sort of account verification. While not foolproof, account verification through SMS text, photo verification, and social media account linking are pretty standard industry options.
True, users can block others and control who sees their profile, but it would be beneficial to the site to have that extra sense of security that an anti-scam or user verification measures would provide.
Customer Service
The dating site's customer service page is lacking quite a bit of information. The customer service page is simply a FAQ section, where users can see the most commonly asked questions. While this is helpful for those who are using the site, few of the Help and FAQ pages offer much assistance. Most are only a couple of paragraphs and certainly not a detailed explanation of the site's features and how to use them.
If you wish to contact customer support, you can do so via filling out an online email form or calling a phone hotline (866-320-0106), available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Central).
Account Deletion Clarification
Members should know that canceling a premium subscription does not delete your profile or stop it from being seen by other members. This is because you can still have a BPM account with a free profile.
If you wish to delete your account and profile, this will take another step. However, members should know that if you don't log in to your account, your profile and account will be deleted in two years.
Additionally, if you need to take a break, there is a simple Hide My Profile button in your account settings. However, this will neither cancel your subscription or delete your account.
No Match Proximity Filter
While many location-based dating apps use your current position to connect you with local singles, BPM falls a little short when it comes to filtering your proximity options. This site doesn't let you select a search radius for your matches, unless you are using the keyword search feature, so some are hundreds of miles away.
The Bottom Line
BlackPeopleMeet is a niche site that strives to connect members of the African-American community. BlackPeopleMeet boasts being the largest dating site for black singles in the United States. However, it doesn't provide exact userbase numbers. Although that information is not necessary, it would be nice to be able to compare it to other dating websites catering to Black singles.
BPM seems to have a less comprehensive security policy than other online dating sites and this can be worrisome. BlackPeopleMeet does not do any form of identity verification, so it's more likely for members to run into fake profiles and have issues with phishing.
Also, the dating app/site is very limited to free members. If a user wants to experience most of the resources available on BlackPeopleMeet, including basic messaging, they’ll have to be willing to pay for a subscription.
We suggest customers take a look at other online dating sites before they choose to sign up with this company. Still not sure? Scroll down for actual consumer reviews about this dating site.
Have you tried out BlackPeopleMeet's dating service? Let us know about your online dating experience with BlackPeopleMeet below.
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Christina Briggs Detroit, MI
5 years ago
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Michael Foster
6 months ago
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Teresa Bills Little Rock, AR
1 year ago Edited August 29, 2023
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Jim
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onelove 17
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2 years ago
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6 years ago
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Sean Miami, FL
5 years ago
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Kymberlee Yack Orem, UT
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Shelia White CO
3 years ago Edited September 14, 2021
Bo Ropus Gainesville, FL
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1 year ago
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La Cr Louisburg, NC
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