Spark.com Review

 
Our Review:

Advertised as 'a fun site for serious dates', Spark.com, having recently merged with AmericanSingles.com, boasts over 7 million registered users. The service offers unique features that include the requirement that all new free and paid members post a photo within 72 hours of registering in order to appear in search results. This feature helps ensure that search results are real people and not scammers or fake profiles. The mandatory Color Code Personality Test is another feature designed to help members meet compatible people.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is that free members are allowed to read and respond to communication from paying members; however, sending or receiving email requires payment. Non-paying members can see a limited amount of member information. They can also upload up to four photos and get 30 virtual flirt credits.

Paid members have access to many more features and can upload unlimited pictures. Paying members can post on the message boards and communicate with anyone on the site, including free members, increasing the pool of potential matches and add members to up to 10 different hotlists. Active members are easy to spot by noting the date of the last login or profile upgrade.

Another exciting feature is the ability to see who is checking out your profile. Although there is no advanced search, you can search based on geographic locations, keyword, who is currently online, those who have already contacted you, the most active members and personalitiy assessments. One downside is the lack of search for specific details such as religion, politics, pets, appearance, etc.

Spark.com offers all the features you need to search, mingle and communicate with potential matches including chat rooms and message boards. Freely browse member profiles and create your own free profile. Filling out the mutiple choice personality questionaire takes about half an hour and is similar to larger service's, but plays a minor role in finding matches. Share details that members may find interesting and relevant, including lifestyle and partner preferences. Install the dating toolbar to keep up-to-date and receive notifications when you receive an instant message or email. You can even send profiles to your friends.

Give the free trial a try, create a profile and begin to seach. Upgrade to a paid membership and your profile will be listed first in the search results. Sign up for the Standard Plan for $24.99 per month or the Premium Plan for $29.99. The primary difference between the two is that the Premium Plan highlights your profile and provides member spotlights that may be of interest to their members. The Premium Plan requires a commitment of at least 6 months, while the Standard Plan is offered in monthly increments.