Recommendation

Caution

Overall Summary

Suspicious

Why we think so

Match.com is a leading online dating site with about 10.8 million monthly visits, primarily from the United States. It uses reputable technologies and marketing platforms like Google Analytics and Adobe Marketing Cloud, and is secured with a valid DigiCert SSL certificate. The domain was registered in 1998 and is managed by MarkMonitor, Inc., a trusted registrar. However, the site has faced legal challenges, including a recent $14 million FTC settlement over deceptive subscription practices. Users frequently report issues such as billing disputes, difficulties in cancellation, account bans, and numerous fake profiles. While Match.com invests in safety, romance scams and user complaints about customer service remain notable concerns. Users should be cautious about fake accounts and review recent legal changes affecting subscription and cancellation policies.

Confidence Score

53%

Risk Insights

⚠️

FTC Enforcement Highlights Subscription Risks

$14M settlement for deceptive subscription and billing practices

Mandated clearer cancellation and advertising disclosures

Requires non-retaliation against dispute filers

❗

User Complaints Indicate Service Challenges

Frequent account bans and poor customer support

Common reports of fake or bot profiles

Lack of easy phone support; mainly online help forms

✅

Strong Technical Foundation

Established domain since 1998

Valid SSL certificate from DigiCert

Use of reputable technology and marketing providers

Contradictory Signals

While the site is technically secure and well-established, ongoing reputation and compliance problems raise caution.

Signal A: Strong technical and domain legitimacy

Signal B: Serious user complaints and legal issues

Category Scores

Identity 85/100

Reputation 40/100

Technical 90/100

Content 40/100

Legal 30/100

Business Validity 65/100

Red Flags & Warnings

FTC settlement confirms deceptive subscription and billing practices.
High volume of complaints about fake profiles and poor customer support.
Recent lawsuits over handling of abusive users and platform safety.

🔎 Detailed Checks & Analysis

Domain Technical Profile

Score: 90/100

Passed

"The domain has a valid DigiCert SSL certificate issued in 2025 and is hosted via recognized providers like Akamai and Amazon."

Reason: Match.com uses reputable hosting, SSL, and marketing technologies, supporting strong technical validation.

Traffic and Popularity

Score: 85/100

Passed

"Monthly visits around 10.8 million, global rank near 4000, with significant user engagement metrics."

Reason: High traffic from mostly US audience confirms legitimacy and popularity of match.com.

Domain Age and Registrar Trust

Score: 90/100

Passed

"WHOIS info shows long-term active registration with protections like domain transfer locks."

Reason: Domain registered since 1998 with MarkMonitor, a reputable registrar, indicating solid domain ownership and trust.

Blacklist and Scam Database Checks

Score: 90/100

Passed

"No matched threats detected, reducing risk of phishing or malware distribution."

Reason: No indication of domain on crypto scam blacklists or Google Safe Browsing blacklist.

User Complaints and Reputation

Score: 40/100

Failed

"Complaints include billing issues, account bans, fake profiles, and poor customer support with limited phone access."

Reason: Numerous user complaints and an FTC settlement about deceptive practices and fake profiles reduce trust reputation.

Legal and Compliance Status

Score: 30/100

Failed

"Match Group required to change subscription practices and improve safety disclosures."

Reason: Recent FTC $14M settlement and lawsuits related to deceptive practices and user safety note serious compliance concerns.

Your Next Steps

1

Review the recent FTC settlement details to understand your rights and obligations before subscribing.
2

If using Match.com, be vigilant for fake profiles and never send money to unverified contacts.
3

Check carefully the subscription, cancellation, and billing terms to avoid unexpected charges.
4

Use email or form-based support channels for customer service as phone support is limited.
5

Monitor recent news or legal developments tied to Match.com for any changes in policies or risks.

Evidence & Citations

Match Group agrees to pay $14 million to FTC
FTC complaint and 2025 settlement detail deceptive practices requiring consumer caution.
Match.com reviews, complaints, and scam reports
Multiple user complaints describe fake profiles, poor service, and fraud risk.
Match.com site technology and traffic data
Shows established technology stack and large monthly user base.

🕵🏻 Keep investigating

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