Dating sites and apps were fantastic inventions. They allow us to meet people we are compatible with who we might never have bumped into otherwise. The trouble is that dating apps also have their fair share of bots. Fake profiles like this can get in the way of finding love, so you need dating sites without bots.
You want to ensure a real person is on the other end of the chat. And by a real person, we mean someone authentic, not a catfish.
Thankfully, there are some dating sites that take extra measures to get rid of bots and fake profiles. Find out the best dating apps with no bots in this complete guide.
Finding Dating Sites Without Bots
It’s crucial to find a dating site with as few bots as possible. That way, you’ll have a positive experience. Firstly, dating sites riddled with bots are likely to be spammy, outdated, and give you a hard time. Secondly, bots are dangerous because they’re usually set up to scam you.
No, thanks to the nature of the internet, it’s pretty impossible to get rid of bots entirely. However, many dating sites do a great job limiting the number of bots that slip through their defenses.
In short, you want to find a dating site that employs identity verification and security measures. That way, it will have a small number of bots. Anyone who’s internet savvy will quickly be able to weed out the rest. Then, you’ll be well on your way to finding their perfect match!
In this breakdown, we looked for dating apps with decent identity verification procedures.
Best Dating Sites and Apps Without Bots
These days, plenty of online dating sites go the extra mile to get rid of bots. However, no matter where you look, you’re more likely to encounter real profiles if you pay for a premium subscription. That said, there are plenty of free dating sites available.
Here’s DoubleList’s roundup of the top ten dating sites without bots.
1. Raya
Raya is probably the number one dating site without bots. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get onto. Not just anyone can sign up. Instead, a current member must invite you, then you must submit an application. The Raya team is diligent, so they might not approve you even if you’re a real person.
Celebrities use Raya, which is why this app is so famous and popular. If you’re a super hot single looking to meet a celeb, Raya is for you. However, for most people, it’s just not feasible to get onto the app.
That said, we had to include it on this list. After all, it’s pretty much the only guaranteed dating app with no bots!
2. Match.com
Match launched in 1995, making it an OG in the online dating game. It uses a robust algorithm to pair users with potential matches. Free users can send messages to anyone in their Top Picks list, curated by the experts.
However, with a paid upgrade, you can message anyone you like. Fortunately, this includes a huge bank of verified users.
To sign up for Match, you have to prove your identity. This includes verification through your phone number, email, or Facebook. You also have to upload a photo clearly showing your face. Fake accounts do exist, but they don’t tend to last long.
3. The League
The League is a highly exclusive dating app, like Raya. However, unlike Raya, almost anyone can sign up. Almost.
This site is for wealthy, highly-educated singles. To sign up, you’re encouraged to link the site to your LinkedIn. You can use other social media, but LinkedIn is the default since The League focuses a lot on your career.
There’s a guest membership for free browsing, but you don’t get a lot of perks. As a result, most users pay. Be warned: the membership is expensive. For a cool $199.99 per month, you can access the basic membership level.
Another unique feature is that The League rates you. The League assigns you a concierge to guide you through your journey. Your score depends on how nice you are to the concierge, how quickly you respond to matches, and so on. As a result, The League can weed out inactive or fake profiles rapidly.
While The League is a fantastic choice for elite singles, it’s not for everyone.
4. Hinge
Hinge is a dating app that’s exceptionally popular among young people. The Match Group owns Hinge, but this app is for a younger audience. Compared to other similar apps, Hinge is more about long-term relationships.
Thanks to in-app prompts, you can spot compatible matches while you swipe. Plus, with advanced filters, it’s easy to track down the users you’re interested in. Hinge is a fantastic option for millennials looking for love.
There are no background checks for Hinge, which makes it surprising that there are so few bots. However, Hinge is popular among Reddit users for its lack of scammers. It seems that this app, for some reason, deters fake accounts.
5. Bumble
Bumble is another app popular among millennials. The unique selling point is that only women can message first. When you have a match, you have 48 hours to send a message and get chatting.
With over 12 million active members, the chance you’ll meet a single person you like is high. Generally, the search and profile features make it easy to find someone you’re attracted to.
Bumble has stringent community guidelines. Like many other apps, it’s not entirely bot-free. However, fake profiles don’t last long. The staff remove fake profiles swiftly, including those that spam messages, use fake photos, or break community guidelines. As a result, most people you encounter here are genuine.
6. Elite Singles
Elite Singles is another high-education dating site designed for professionals. It lets you make meaningful connections with intellectual equals. Even the matchmaking algorithm is intelligent, pairing you with someone compatible. Notably, you can also set your preferences according to a ton of factors. From height and ethnicity to lifestyle habits and education, the search filters are extensive.
This site has been around for years but has kept up with the times. With video chatting, you can verify who you are talking to while still getting to know them.
Another feature that deters bots is the cost. Elite Singles requires payment to access most of the features, including viewing profile photos. In other words, you need to pay if you want to get anything out of it.
Thanks to this system, Elite Singles is almost entirely free of bots.
7. Plenty of Fish
Plenty of Fish is rare among older dating sites in that it allows free unlimited messaging. The site has existed since 2006 and now has over 3 million daily users. This impressive network means it’s easy to find your match.
You might be wondering how PoF makes its money since dating is free. The answer is ads. As a result, you have to get used to seeing ads on this platform. That said, if you don’t care about ads and you’re looking for a budget option, Plenty of Fish is ideal.
It used to be a little outdated but recently had a huge overhaul. The result is a trendy, easy-to-use site full of open-minded singles.
But since PoF is free and popular, how does it get rid of bots? Well, you will encounter bots on the site. However, since members cannot send more than 50 unsolicited messages daily, it cuts down on spam.
So, while you may encounter the occasional bot on PoF, the company makes an effort to weed them out. Most dating apps without bots are expensive. PoF is a great option for singles on a budget who are sick of fake profiles.
8. Tinder
Tinder revolutionized online dating. This dating app introduced the swipe method, transforming online dating into a mobile game. And it proved enormously popular, too, with over 20 billion total matches.
When you sign up for Tinder, you can connect to your Facebook for ease. Or, you can enter your phone number. Either way, you have to verify your identity and prove that you’re really you. Of course, there are ways around this; Tinder is not free from bots and catfishes.
That said, this app’s popularity means a team works round the clock to manage it. As a result, fake profiles are easy to report and don’t last long.
9. eHarmony
eHarmony is another old hand in the online dating arena, created in 2000. Its impressive algorithm tests compatibility across 32 dimensions. When you sign up, you must fill out a lengthy form about your preferences. This is one way to deter bots since the sign-up process is complicated.
eHarmony claims it’s the dating site resulting in the most marriages. Whether this is true or not, it’s certainly a trusted dating site. Very few bots are on the site, partly due to the sign-up process. Furthermore, eHarmony requires SMS verification to approve your account.
The addition of a video call feature adds another layer of confidence. When chatting to your matches, you can arrange a video meeting to check their honesty. It’s also a fun way to connect on a deeper level.
While it’s free to sign up for eHarmony, the premium features are worth it.
10. OkCupid
A team of Harvard students launched OkCupid in 2004, aiming to create a dating site based on mathematical algorithms. It’s a largely free site, priding itself on making dating accessible. As a result, you can sign up and start matching for no money at all.
Like eHarmony, OkCupid has an in-depth signup process. It can take some time to fill out your profile, which is one way to deter bots and fake accounts. It’s also useful for serious daters seeking a long-term relationship. After all, the more in-depth you go, the more you can get to know someone.
OkCupid also has moderation tools in place that detect suspicious activity. They also hide inactive profiles. As a result, you won’t encounter many bots on this site.
How to Spot Fake Dating Profiles
Bots and fake profiles are unavoidable on the internet. Some of them slip through the net, so it’s important to be able to spot them. Here’s what to look for in a fake profile:
- Check the photo: How believable is the image? If the person is outrageously attractive, they could have stolen the photos from elsewhere. These days, you even have to be wary of AI. Try a reverse image search if you don’t think the pics are authentic.
- Avoid money talk: Firstly, bringing up money the moment you start chatting is a major ick. Secondly, it’s a sign of a scam. If a stranger online starts asking you very personal questions, move on.
- Refusing to meet: Try to arrange a meet-up. Does your match have a bank of excuses as to why they can’t video call or meet in person? That’s a major red flag.
Above all else, avoid giving out personal information. Don’t tell people where you live, work, or other personal info. In particular, avoid giving out banking information. Be careful when clicking on links you don’t recognize, too.
Finally, if you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, trust your instincts!
Find Love on DoubleList!
If you’re ready to delve into online dating and want to avoid the bots, you have to try DoubleList. This site is perfect for long-term relationships or casual hookups, with an open-minded community that’s down for anything. Find the one you’re looking for by posting personal ads with what you have in mind.
DoubleList is one of the best dating sites without bots, too. Have you ever seen a dating app bot write a whole ad? Didn’t think so!
Are you ready to meet the person of your dreams in your area? Sign up for DoubleList today!
