Introduction
The phenomenon of Online Dating has developed and expanded alongside the worldwide growth of the internet. Black dating is a specific branch of online dating that is specifically aimed at black users of all nationalities. These sites are popular with black users that are looking to the internet to find love and companionship with other black users, but also with users of many different ethnicities who are particularly attracted to black men and women. This niche online dating market has grown considerably in the last few years, and now it is undoubted that a large number of people are looking to the internet to find love, friendship and companionship, on black dating sites.
Black dating versus standard online dating?
A point of particular importance is weighing the benefits of joining a specialist site that is devoted to black singles, against that of joining a standard online dating site. In the case of a small black dating site, the site is likely to have fewer features and considerably fewer users than the number of black singles on a large generic site, such as match.com or AdultFriendFinder. We do think this is something that is worth thinking about when deciding whether to go for a niche site focused solely on black singles, or joining a much larger general site.
Common Features
There are a number of features that are relatively common to the black dating sites that we have reviewed. To help you know what to look out for when choosing a black dating site, we have highlighted the most important features below so that you can look out for them as you are reading through our reviews and checking out what each site has to offer:
“Powered by…”
A common feature of a number of sites is that they are “powered” by another, larger site. This simply means that the site shares the features, structure and often, membership directory of the parent site. Many users find this a comforting element in choosing a site to join, having the security of a major site without feeling that your profile will never be found amongst the hundreds of thousands that can sometimes exist on larger sites. This practice is relatively common; so don’t be concerned when you look at a site that is “powered” by another.
Chances of getting a date
Online dating is often described as a numbers game, where users are more likely to find a successful match on larger sites with more active users. This is true with black dating too, though we also feel that users should take care to ensure they pick a site that contains a good complement of features that will make using the site exciting.
Check out our reviews for an indication, where possible, of the size of the site and the number of users, but also read our extensive editor’s reviews to get an idea of what every site is like. Most importantly, join the site and experience the free membership options to see whether it is the perfect site for you.
A note on Privacy & Safety
With the growth of the internet, there is a great deal of concern about privacy and personal safety. Many users of online dating services are worried that their personal information, held by the sites they join, may be shared with other organisations or viewable publically by all users of the site. With dating, users may also be reluctant to give away too much information, as they may not want others to know that they are looking for love online.
Many sites offer standard assurances that they do not share information, and that user profiles only contain information that the particular user wishes to share. Look out for sites that allow users to block those users that they do not wish to talk to, or that allow users to decide which images are viewable by all members of the site, and which are viewable by invitation only. Most of the websites we review offer excellent privacy settings so that your data, and identity, are secure. Check our reviews for those sites that offer particularly useful or unusual privacy tools.
Pricing & Free Trials
The price structure for black dating sites varies considerably between sites. Check out our reviews for an up to date listing of prices for each site and their relative subscription lengths. Most sites offer free trials to allow you to get a feel for the site and decide whether you wish to sign up for a full subscription. One of the sites in this section offers complete access, free of charge for all users. While this will no doubt appeal to some users, it is often the case that these sites offer fewer features and attract less members.
The Bottom Line
We recognise that users may need a helping hand in deciding which service is best for them. With our experience in reviewing all kinds of different services, we hope that this buying guide, combined with our trademark extensive reviews, will help you make an informed decision as to which site is perfect for your needs.
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