{"id":2547,"date":"2024-01-19T12:37:38","date_gmt":"2024-01-19T20:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/blog\/?p=2547"},"modified":"2024-01-19T12:37:49","modified_gmt":"2024-01-19T20:37:49","slug":"plenty-of-fish-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialcatfish.com\/scamfish\/plenty-of-fish-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Plenty of Fish Review: The Essential Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

While some dating sites are known and marketed strictly toward long-term dating or marriage, other sites focus on short-term relationships or hookups. With sites like<\/span> Plenty Of Fish<\/span><\/a>, or POF as it is frequently called, the interesting phenomenon is that you will find fans and detractors on both sides. To many people, Plenty of Fish is the website or app that they met their future spouse or significant other on, while others still use it to meet a one-time date for a short-term affair. Listed directly on the Plenty of Fish homepage is the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPOF Has More Dates, More Relationships, More Visits Than Any Other Dating Site<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. There are over 3 million active daily users on POF, we are the largest <\/b>dating site.<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. You know of at least 1 person that has found someone on POF.<\/b><\/li>\n
  3. You never have to pay to message anyone!\u201d<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Though it isn\u2019t uncommon for dating sites to claim superiority in matches, based on their own internal reviews, chances are you <\/span>do<\/span><\/i> know at least one person who met someone significant<\/a> (or temporary_ through Plenty of Fish. Plenty of Fish can be used as a traditional website, online, or through their iPhone or Android app<\/a>!<\/span><\/p>\n

    History: Plenty Of Fish<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Do you live in the United States<\/a>, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, or Brazil? If so, Plenty of Fish is a popular dating site in your area. The site is free and more workable as a free site than some, but premium services allow more options, further explored below.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The dating site<\/a> was founded by Markus Frind, who graduated with a Computer Systems Technology in 1999 and turned Plenty of Fish into a full time business by 2004. Hard times hit the site in 2011, when POF was hacked with 30 million user accounts<\/a> exposed and later legal trouble included a lawsuit accusing the site of using a deceased soldier\u2019s photos without permission. Unlike many sites which immediately sell to larger corporations, Frind remained very involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In 2013, whether out of ethics or for better marketing for the site, Frind eliminated the option of \u201ccasual encounters\u201d, along with no longer allowing huge age ranges to match and message. For instance, it eliminated a 50 year old<\/a> man trying to connect with an 18 year old woman.<\/span><\/p>\n

    In 2015, Frind sold POF to Match Group, i.e., the owner of many dating sites, including<\/span> match.com<\/span><\/a>, for $575 million dollars, all going directly to him as sole owner!<\/span> http:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/how-markus-frind-bootstrapped-plentyoffish-and-sold-it-for-575-million-2015-7<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n

    Pros<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    Unless you <\/span>are<\/span><\/i> that 50 year old man who is hoping to match with an 18 year old female, then you might be glad the site has set a few boundaries to help users avoid unwanted message spam<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Just as OkCupid<\/a> uses Myers-Briggs style personality tests for matching and eHarmony has long stood by its \u2018scientific\u2019 matching, until it was more recently debunked as untruthful advertising, Plenty of Fish has a section titled, \u201cChemistry\u201d. Essentially, this is their version of a dating site personality<\/a> test and they give it equal hype by calling it \u201cWorld Famous\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The ultimate personality report found HERE for logged-in users,<\/b> https:\/\/www.pof.com\/poftest.aspx<\/span><\/a>, promises to be very detailed and produce the \u201cmost ideal matches on the site\u201d. POF says that it is based on research and done on \u201ctens of thousands of people in relationships\u201d. Why is this listed as a \u201cpro\u201d?<\/span><\/p>\n

    First, the test is only 73 questions, which is shown on one scrollable page, versus having to click from page to page without knowing the length, until the test is complete. Also, unlike sites like eHarmony which make the tests a large focus for users, it is completely optional.<\/span><\/p>\n

    On POF, only those who enjoy personality tests should complete them, while the rest can skip them completely.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

    Cons<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

    While it is true that people do have success on the site, when it comes to using POF\u2019s \u201cMeet Me\u201d section (which is essentially meant to be comparable to Tinder or Bumble\u2019s swiping) on the website, it isn\u2019t nearly as user friendly as swiping would be, since it involves selecting one option with a mouse or laptop click.<\/span><\/p>\n

    One solution is to use the Plenty of Fish app. While using the app, left swipes mean \u2018not interested\u2019, while right swipes mean \u2018interested\u2019. To look at a profile for more pictures or further review, click on the users’ photograph. Unlike Tinder or Bumble\u2019s apps<\/a>, on Plenty of Fish, you will not immediately see a personal description, but a long list of stats (age, location, intent, profession, height, etc.)<\/span><\/p>\n

    If you don\u2019t enjoy reading or writing personalized profiles, this can be fine, but it will take more time to get to the individual details you\u2019re looking for. Although this is less user friendly, these options seem to be an effort by POF to distinguish themselves from Tinder\u2019s style.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Not as inclusive to the LGBT+ community.<\/span><\/p>\n

    POF Scams<\/span><\/a>: There are still scammers and catfish that you need to watch out for while on the site.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n


    \n<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Plenty of Fish can be used as a free site. This is what draws many first time users to try it out since messaging is free. However, as with most free sites, the paid options available will streamline your usage and fix or improve some of the frustrating parts of being a free user. Here they are, explored below.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Upgraded Membership:<\/b><\/p>\n