There are so many dating sites and apps available that it can be really hard to know which ones to choose, and which ones to ignore.
Before you know it, you could be signed up to 10+ dating apps all at the same time, with your phone going crazy with new messages from people who are looking for their soulmate, people who just want something casual – and even people who want something kinky.
To ensure you get exactly what you’re looking for on a dating app, then, it’s really important that you take the time to understand what you’re getting into.
What is Hinge?
Hinge is a location-based dating app that’s “designed to be deleted” and is growing in popularity. Hinge is very successful at what they are trying to achieve since currently, 3 out of 4 times Hinge members want to go on a second date. It’s only been around since 2012 but it can already rival the likes of Tinder when it comes to usage. So, if you're looking for an online dating app that doesn't such then Hinge is worth your try.
In this article, I’ll be taking a look at exactly how Hinge works. I’ll also be taking a look at who it’s for, its standout features, and what alternatives there are. By the end of the article, you should be in a better position to know whether or not Hinge is the dating app for you.
How Does The Hinge Work?
Hinge algorithm works similarly to today's most popular dating apps. It uses swipe technology just like Tinder. Once your profile is up and running, Hinge queues profiles up for you based on your preferences. If you’re interested in someone, you can let them know by either “liking” one of their photos or prompts, or by leaving a comment on one of their answers to a prompt. Hinge dating app will then notify them, and it’s up to them to decide whether or not to match with you.
How does Your Hinge Profile work?
The first thing you need to do is decide whether to sign up via your mobile phone number or your Facebook profile. Then, you will be asked for basic information, such as your location, your gender, your height, your education, your work, and so on to set up your hinge account.
Set Your Preferences
Once that’s all out of the way, Hinge then asks you for your views on things like politics, drugs, and smoking. You can choose to keep your answers hidden from your profile. It also asks you about your preferences like Age range, maximum distance, ethnicity, religious beliefs, and height, and children in the preferred preferences section.
Pick Your Photos
Apps like Tinder require only a few photos, but Hinge requires you to upload at least six photos. If you’re in a hurry, you can quickly import them from Facebook. A few photos
Answer The Hinge Prompts
Prompts are free. They’re basically questions that Hinge displays on your profile, as well as your answer.
For example, one of the prompts is “Biggest risk I’ve taken.” You just need to fill in the answer (whilst keeping it short).
They’re an easy way for people to add something interesting/amusing to their profile, which other users can reply to. More than anything, they showcase your interests and act as conversation starters.
Inside scoop: Best Hinge Prompt Answers For Your Hinge profile.
Start Liking People
There's no search function like there is on other dating apps. Instead, you can swipe on profiles that are queued up for you, as well as use the “Discover” feature to see who Hinge thinks is most compatible with you. Hinge will also shoot you an email each time they’ve got a potential new match for you.
That all said, Hinge only curates ten possible matches per day for you, and you can only “like” ten profiles per day if you stick to the free version. Messaging other users is free, though, and you can also receive messages for free. You can also arrange a video call on the Hinge app with someone you’ve been chatting to (and getting along with).
Hinge Features: Free Vs Preferred
Hinge is a free to use online dating app but Hinge has a premium membership called hinge preferred membership. Hinge preferred membership costs $29.99 for a month but if you subscribe for 3 months or 6 months then it costs $19.99 and $14.99.
- We Met (Free)
The We Met is a feature for you to use after your first date with a person. The idea is that Hinge asks you how your date went, and you let them know.
Why?
Because Hinge then uses your answers to help its matchmaking algorithm provide you with better matches in the future. It’s an interesting feature that no other dating site currently offers.
- Who Liked Me (Paid)
At the bottom of your profile is a heart tab. When you click on this heart tab as a free member, Hinge shows you blurred pictures of the people who “like” your profile.
If you get lots of “likes,” you might not always know who’s liked you until you’ve swiped endlessly in order to find them. And because Hinge limits you to 10 “likes” per day, this kind of thing is going to frustrate you.
The Who Liked Me feature is exclusive to premium members, and it shows you every single person who’s liked you. It’s then up to you to decide whether or not you wish to like them back.
- Send Unlimited Likes (Paid)
As mentioned, free members-only get 10 “likes” per day. That’s not really a lot if you’re trying to find romance as soon as possible. If you upgrade to a premium account, you get to like as many people as you want.
- Advanced Preferences (Paid)
As a free member, you can only tweak your match preferences according to basic information, such as height, gender and age.
As a premium member, you’re able to tweak the advanced preferences so that it’s quicker to find someone who shares the same interests as you.
We like this feature as it ensures you’re not wasting your time sifting through profiles that don’t meet your standards when it comes to things like your values and interests.
- Dealbreakers (Paid)
A dealbreaker is there to prevent Hinge from displaying you a match that doesn’t meet your preferences.
How does it work?
Well, despite your best efforts to tweak your user preferences, Hinge will still occasionally display matches that don’t meet your preferences. It probably does this according to its algorithm that’s convinced the two of you will get along.
However, if you’ve got a dealbreaker (for example, you would never date a smoker), you can use this feature to completely exclude smokers (or anything else that bugs you).
The Dealbreaker feature has its pros and cons. On the one hand, it’s a good thing that you can exclude those you know you’ll be wasting your time with (perhaps they support a different political party than you). On the other hand, what if by applying a Dealbreaker you’re missing out on someone who could have been the One? It’s a conundrum.
In this way, Hinge stands out from Tinder, which doesn’t suggest you more matches based on your levels of compatibility. If they match with you, you can then proceed with a conversation. Hinge is that simple.
Who Is Hinge For?
If you're sick of endless swiping and tired of talking to people on an app only to discover they’re just looking for a hookup then hinge is a good app for you.
If you’re looking for something casual, Hinge isn’t for you. You will only be wasting your time by signing up, and you’ll also be wasting other people's time who are using the app to find someone genuine.
Naturally, not every dating app is right for everyone – and this is especially true with Hinge. Hinge’s tagline is “designed to be deleted.” This tells us instantly that the app is for those who are looking for a serious relationship, and want someone to come along, romance them – and help them to delete the app for good.
It’s also worth pointing out that, unlike Tinder, Hinge is a matchmaking service, which further suggests that it’s aimed at people who take this dating thing seriously. Everyone who signs up must upload six photos, they have to fill out mandatory information in their bio, and they must answer at least one prompt.
What Sucks About Hinge?
Thought Hinge is one of the best dating apps with its unique angle, it's not perfect. In our Hinge review, I thoroughly discussed the pros and cons of Hinge. Here's some of the things Hinge sucks at:
- It’s free – but the free version kinda sucks
Okay, the free version doesn’t completely suck, and you can still send and receive messages. But it has enough drawbacks to leave some users frustrated.
For instance, you can only use 10 “likes” each day, which is way less than Tinder. Hinge only suggests a maximum of ten matches per day, too, which means that if none of them take your fancy, you’ll need to wait another 24 hours before you can use the app again.
Plus, whilst you can filter your “search” options, free filters are limited to basic info, such as height, gender, location and age. In other words, you can’t filter common interests.
- Hinge Re-Displays Users You Already Skipped
On other swipe apps, like Tinder and Bumble, once you’ve “passed” on someone they’re gone forever (unless they create an entirely new profile).
On Hinge, however, they sometimes reappear a few weeks later.
Why?
We’re not completely sure. It’s either because Hinge wants to give you a chance to reconsider (maybe you made a mistake), or there aren’t enough users in your area, with Hinge filling the gaps by showing you profiles you’ve already seen.
Either way, we’re not fans.
- Profiles Lack Detail
We like the idea of answering prompts, and it especially helps users who never know what to write in their profiles. At the same time, though, it means none of the profiles are detailed because there isn’t a proper “About Me” section. For an app that’s aimed at creating long-term, serious relationships, this seems slightly unusual.
For detailed analysis, you can read our Hinge review.