Spark
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
With more single people finding themselves with less time to date, online dating is becoming the popular alternative to traditional dating. However, not all dating sites were created equal. Spark.com came on the scene in 1997 and has made a name for itself in the world of online dating. With special features to measure compatibility and many options for contacting potential dates, Spark has grown to support over half a million registered users. Take a look at the features Spark provides to know if this service is right for you.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- No Algorithm, But Good Search Options
- Industry Experience
No Algorithm, But Good Search Options
Users of Spark.com are able to filter matches according to lifestyles, background, location, and more. Additionally, all users of Spark.com must upload a profile picture shortly after registering, and everyone is required to take the Color Code Personality Test, which provides quick matches. Spark has many features to help singles find compatible matches at competitive pricing. The personality test, comprehensive profiles, and multiple places to get your profile "out there" increase your chances of finding the right person for you.
Industry Experience
It wasn't until 2006 that online dating sites reached peak popularity. It was around that time that many of today's most popular dating sites were founded. Spark, on the other hand, began all the way back in 1997. This company has been in business almost longer than any other online dating site we have reviewed. Keeping Spark.com in business for this long shows us that Spark knows what they are doing.
The Bad
- Pricing
- No User Verification
- Poor Safety
- Limited Traffic
Pricing
A subscription to Spark.com costs $24.99/month. This subscription allows users to:
- Start conversations via message
- Start live chat
- Post in message boards
- Join chat rooms
There is no way to communicate with singles without subscribing.
No User Verification
Spark is a fairly solid choice for an online dating service, but there could be improvements made to the process for verifying users' identities. We wouldn't mind seeing a mobile app, either, since most other dating sites have one available.
Poor Safety
Spark.com gives users lots of control about what information is visible and to whom, even allowing members to block other people. They also provide Online Dating Safety tips to help users recognize and understand common dangers. You can also report a user for suspicious or inappropriate behavior. However, this is where the safety features stop. There is no information on how to block a user, or if you even can block a user. It does not seem that they check the site regularly for spam, nor do they complete background checks on users.
Limited Traffic
Spark.com attracts about 63,000 visitors per month. This is significantly less than popular dating sites like Zoosk (1 million), Match.com (3.8 million), OkCupid (3.8 million), and Plenty of Fish (9+ million). In addition to having low traffic numbers, Spark also has a low number of registered users: just over half a million.
The Bottom Line
Spark is a wonderful option for those looking to try out online dating. The free membership allows users to get a taste for the site's features, and paying members have access to many compatible singles' profiles. The biggest drawback to Spark is the low traffic. It's hard to find matches when there aren't enough singles in your area to browse through. The other negative to Spark is the price. To use the basic features of Spark, you must pay $24.99/month - about an average industry price (but without a large pool of singles). We recommend trying out a more popular dating site.
