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Dating site for seniors over 50
There’s never been a better time for people over the age of 60 to give online dating a whirl.
With such an array of dating websites tailored to older adults to choose from, there are multitudes of ways to connect with a potential companion.
“If you’re at the end of a long relationship, either due to the death of a partner or a divorce, you can quickly enter this digital sphere, and it’s amazing all the people you can meet,” says Shannon Lundgren, a professional matchmaker in San Francisco.
To determine the best dating sites for older adults, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on two dozen dating websites, ranking them in terms of membership price, whether they ask participants to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about themselves, how matches are suggested, communication options and more. Read on to see which dating sites made our list.
Note: Prices are accurate as of publication.
Online Dating
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Silver Singles, A Fresh Take On 50+ Dating
- Exclusive 50+ community of singles
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- Offers an easy-to-navigate platform that makes online dating stress-free
- Thoughtful, expert advice for a meaningful online dating experience
- 381,000+ new members per month
On Silver Single’s Website
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eHarmony, Where Compatibility Meets Connection
- Millions of registered users
- Fill in your ideal matching traits on your profile
- Video date feature available
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On eHarmony’s Website
Show Summary
Best Dating Sites for Older Adults of 2022
BEST FOR PEOPLE NEW TO ONLINE DATING
SeniorMatch
5.0
- Prices start at $19.98 per month (for the three-month membership)
- Mobile app is available
- Well-established platform compared to more recent startups (founded in 2003)
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST GENDER BALANCE
eHarmony
3.6
- Prices start at $45.90 (for a 12-month “Premium Plus” membership)
- Mobile app is available
- Well-established platform compared to more recent startups (founded in 2000)
On eHarmony’s Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST VIDEO CALL FEATURE
Singles50
4.2
- Prices start at $19.99 (for a six-month membership)
- Mobile app is available
- Users can access some features of the site via a free registration
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR LOCAL EVENTS AND MEETUPS
OurTime
4.1
- Prices start at $15.96 (for a six-month “Standard” membership)
- Mobile app is available
- Users can try the service for free
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST AFFORDABLE MEMBERSHIP
OKCupid
3.9
- Prices start at $12.49 (for a six-month “Basic” membership)
- Mobile app is available
- More features for free users than several other competitors
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR BOOKWORMS
Elite Singles
3.6
- Prices start at $44.95 (for a six-month “Premium Comfort” membership)
- Mobile app is available
- Several features available for free users
On Elite Single’s Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR CHRISTIANS
Christian Mingle
3.6
- Prices start at $34.99 for a three-month membership
- Mobile app is available
- Available in four languages
On Christian Mingle’s Website
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR BLACK OLDER ADULTS
BlackPeopleMeet
3.6
- Prices start at a one-time payment of $41.85, which gives you “Full Access” for three months
- Mobile app is available
- One of the largest and most well-established sites tailored to Black singles
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS
Academic Singles
3.5
- Prices start at $19.95 for a 12-month membership
- Mobile app is available
- Free users can access minimal features and functions
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
BEST FOR MORMONS
LDS Singles
3.5
- Prices start at $24.99 for a six-month membership
- Mobile app is available
- Geared toward Mormon singles
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Additional Details
What to Know About Dating for Older Adults
Older people tend to have very different needs—and interests—than younger singles. For example, some older adults might be looking for a potential mate while others may simply be interested in connecting with a companion with whom they can attend events, go to dinner or spend evenings at the movies.
“Dating apps present an almost overwhelming opportunity to meet new people,” says Lundgren. “I always tell people that it’s like putting a bunch of fishing lines into a pond. You don’t know which line might bite, but you put it out there. It’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”
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The Potential Health Benefits of Dating for Older Adults
There’s no denying the importance of companionship. In fact, several studies highlight the benefits relationships can have on a person’s overall health and well-being. Here are a few to consider:
You can help your heart. A 2017 newsletter published by the National Institutes of Health suggests strong social ties (like those formed in dating and romantic relationships) may help reduce stress and heart health-related issues.
You can live longer. A 2010 study in Annals of Behavioral Medicine confirms the positive power of stable social surroundings, noting specifically that loneliness can lead to increased morbidity and mortality.
You’ll help your overall health. The Harvard Second Generation Study reports how happy people are in their relationships has a huge influence on their health and can even help to delay mental and physical decline.
Exploring Online Dating for Older Adults
Older adults can easily find websites geared toward their specific age group. For example, sites like SilverSingles are reserved for those ages 50 and up.
If you’re interested in joining a senior dating site, you typically register with your email address. In some cases, you’re asked to take an in-depth personality test or set interest filters like “mature dating,” “gay senior dating” or “older women dating.” Then, you’re often asked to upload a photo of yourself.
Once your profile is complete, you start receiving local matches. (Each dating site has its own algorithm geared toward helping you meet potential matches.) When you connect with a match, many websites allow you to message them privately via an online message function.
How to Analyze Dating Sites for Older Adults
Here are some features you can expect from most dating websites designed for older adults.
A Questionnaire
Depending on the site, you may be asked to fill out a questionnaire to help narrow down matches. It might be a fill-in-the-blank survey, or it might be a multiple-choice “quiz” that helps you express what you’re looking for in a partner. Common questions explore your body type, education level, smoking and drinking habits, religious beliefs and practices, hobbies, political views and match preferences, including age range, height, marital status, education and more.
A Detailed Profile
Your profile is your opportunity to showcase your unique personality. Depending on the website, there are different fields users can fill out, such as your interests and preferences in potential companions. Be sure to share details about yourself, but be careful about revealing too much personal information in your profile.
Privacy and Safety Features
Reputable dating websites disclose the steps they’ve taken to keep your data private and keep you safe while you use their service. Look for words like “encryption” (which encodes messages so they can only be read by the sender and recipient), “scam detection” (which detects potential fraud like fake profiles and stolen photos) and “sex offender checks.” Know that not all free dating sites complete criminal background checks on their users.
Cost
The price of meeting a potential match depends on the dating site. For example, Silver Singles offers a free basic membership, but you can upgrade to a premium service that provides unlimited access to all profiles and the ability to create a more detailed profile. Pricing structures differ from site to site.
Communication and Connecting
Once you’ve set up your profile and uploaded a photo, you can begin connecting with potential matches. The options for how to do so are broad, but they often include messaging on the app or website itself, as well as an option for audio and video calls.
The Site’s Network
Before joining a site, do some quick research. Most websites will publicly list their number of active members, and they should be able to share the process by which they match you with singles in your local community.
Additional Perks
Along with matching you with potential partners, some sites offer bonus services like a professional matchmaker who can find matches for you, a dating concierge who can help you plan dates and invitations to member-only events. However, there may be an extra cost associated with these add-ons.
Beware of Dating Scams
Unfortunately, there are some common, widely-reported senior dating scams out there, says Paul Bischoff, a consumer privacy expert at Comparitech, a cyber security information website. They tend to begin with “love bombing,” where a scammer showers you with affection. Once they have you hooked, they may begin asking you for money or personal information you shouldn’t share.
“Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these scams since they tend to have money and good credit, making them lucrative targets,” says Bischoff. “They tend to be socially isolated and thus less likely to report the crime or ask a close friend or loved one for help.”
Watch out for red flags, including:
- Being asked for money.
- Being informed by the person of their financial hardships.
- Being asked to share a compromising photo.
- Being told to invest in a get-rich-quick scheme.
Here For Real Love
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Top Tips to Ensure Safe Dating
Have fun on your dating journey, but keep safety in mind as well. No matter how nice a person sounds online, remember you’re corresponding with a stranger until you meet in person and get to know them better. Here’s a handful of pro tips to keep you safe as you match.
- Join a reputable dating site. Before you sign up for any dating website, ask your friends for recommendations and listen closely to their feedback. You can check the Better Business Bureau to see if they’re accredited and whether they have any complaints filed against them, says Lundgren. “It’s always smart to make sure a website is secure so your information isn’t vulnerable. You can look in your browser for a lock icon. If you see a message that says your information isn’t private/secure don’t enter your personal information.”
- Don’t give out extra personal information. It’s important to protect your anonymity, Lundgren says. Avoid sharing your last name, town or city, where you work, specific details about you (like volunteer or alumni organizations you’re involved in) and your email address and phone number. “Don’t forget—you don’t want to share your kids’ names, either,” says Lundgren. “It’s very important to protect your family’s identity as well.”
- Prepare for the first conversation. When you keep communication limited to the app or website, you create a clear record of all of your communications, which is helpful in the event that you need to report an issue, says Amber Artis, a certified matchmaker and relationship expert and CEO of Select Date Society. If you’re ready to speak on the phone, consider using Skype or create a separate email address just for dating that doesn’t show your full name. Connecting with a potential date in a safe way also helps you confirm the person isn’t using fake photos or information about themselves.
- Tell friends and family members when you’re going on a date. Always inform a close friend, colleague or family member when you’re meeting someone new, says Artis. “Share your location with them on your phone, and check in with them before, during and after the date,” she says.
- Always meet in public. It doesn’t matter how comfortable you are with a person or how much chemistry you have—it’s very important to meet in public, especially initially, says Artis. “Do not go to their home or invite them to yours until you know them really well,” she says. “This means you should have several in-person dates in a public place first.”
- Never send anyone money. Anyone asking for money or claiming to be experiencing financial issues raises a giant red flag, says Artis. This happens often, and the majority of romance scam victims are women over the age of 50, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “This person is likely trying to scam you,” she says. “I urge everyone to use their best judgment and listen to their instincts. If you have a gut feeling that this person isn’t legit, heed your inner voice.”
Methodology
To highlight the best dating sites for older adults, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on two dozen dating sites, ranking them in terms of the following criteria:
- Membership prices
- Whether they ask participants to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about themselves when they join the platform
- Whether they use a matching algorithm and how matches are suggested
- Whether they provide search and filter options for match results
- Communication features available other than direct messaging
- Whether they provide communities, social groups and/or events
- Whether the website is available via mobile app
- Multiple language options
- Cybersecurity considerations
Star ratings were solely determined by the editorial team.