Introduction

Blued is a gay app that connects millions of users from all over the world like a social media platform. Blued was launched in 2012 and while it’s still quite a young addition compared to some of the well-established gay apps around, it packs quite the punch. This revolutionary app puts together some of the best and most well-loved features that online daters are known to enjoy. These include features such as live gay chats, video streaming, voice calls, and so much more.

Blued can however not be used via the www Blue com website. But the app is available on iOS, Android, and Windows 8 making it accessible for just about anyone to download. The company that runs Blued, iRainbow Hong Kong Ltd., devotes all its efforts to providing a social network, and easy, convenient services to the gay community.

In this review, we take a deep dive into exactly what to expect if you decide to download Blued. We’ll cover all the costs involved for in-app purchases as well as its subscription and discuss all the features available at your fingertips. At the end of this, you’ll know if the Blue dating app will be the right app for you to become a regular on.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide range of fun and interactive features

• Many active users to connect with

• Available on iOS, Android, and Windows 8

• Very engaging platform

Cons

• Limited user base outside of Asia

• Somewhat of a learning curve to get used to the busy interface

• Can be very expensive to use

Login Process

Simple and straightforward are the two words we love when it comes to logging into any dating app. The Blued login process is just that! First, you’ll need to download the Blued app from your preferred App Store. For convenience, there are also download links on the www blued homepage.

When on the app, you can sign in via your Facebook, Google, Apple, or Twitter account. Or do so just via plain old email. Email sign-ups will require the extra step of email verification. Next, choose a nickname for your account, provide your date of birth, height and weight, and your role (top, bottom, vers, etc). Select what you are looking for by ticking any of the 6 available options. Lastly, upload a pic and you are good to start browsing and exploring. You can of course skip this last step for now if you are a bit shy at first.

Once you’ve successfully logged in, you can now choose to fill in the rest of your profile. You’ll need to have a full profile if you want to see all of the information on other members’ profiles. There is even a counter that tells you exactly how much of your profile has been completed. You can fill out your profile and hit 100% by adding the following information about yourself:

• Body type

• Relationship status 

• Ethnicity

• Languages spoken

• Where you prefer to meet 

• Private photo album

Dating Features

Travel Pass

If you feel like exploring outside of the current pond of members from your local area, you can try out the travel pass. Place your marker anywhere on the map and the Blued app will show you members from that area alone. BluedX and VIP members will get unlimited travel passes to use. Non-membership will only get one free pass to try it out.

When using the travel pass you can also choose to turn off your avatar which will make your profile invisible to members in that area. This turns you into somewhat of a Blue dating app ninja. You’ll get to see who’s around without being seen yourself. This is perfect for anyone who might be moving soon or if you are just planning a fun trip in the near future.

Profile Boost 

The avatars of boosted profiles will show up on a carousel at the very top of the homepage for 30 minutes. This is how members can stand out from the rest and can get far more attention. According to Blued, the number of people viewing your profile can increase by up to 168% more than usual during this boosted time.

Boosts can be bought individually or as a package of 5 or 15 Boosts. Purchasing Boosts can be done via the homepage or on your profile page under premium features. Members will have 90 days from the day of purchase in which to use their boosts.

Shadow 

Ever wanted to be in two places at once? Now you can send your shadow wherever you’d like. Purchasing a shadow allows you to place a copy of your profile anywhere in the world while staying active in your current location. This way you can be seen by twice as many guys at once. It’s like the travel pass, but on steroids. And unlike the travel pass, you will still see and be seen by local members too.

Shadows are purchased on a subscription base of either 1, 3 or 12 months. This is an extra add-on premium feature and is not included in either the BluedX or VIP memberships. If purchased, your shadow subscription will renew automatically after the respective time has expired.

Blued Live Services

The Blued live video broadcasting is the app’s bread and butter. This is most probably where you will spend most of your time. And for good reason. Here you can either watch the live broadcasts of other members or go live yourself. You’ll find a mix of talent from dancers, singers, drag queens, influencers, and so much more from many Blue gay creators that you wouldn’t see anywhere else. If you have Beans (the in-app credits) you’ll be able to send gifts to your favorite streamers to show your appreciation and interest.

Just like Snapchat or Twitter, members can also compete in 1v1 PK or multi-PK streams. To find what you are looking for, broadcasts can be filtered by country or region, what’s trending, and who you are already following. Members can even throw video parties with many participants in attendance. And for those a bit more camera shy, Blued also has voice-only chat rooms for you to join or create to have a chat with others.

Quick Chats 

If you are not sure how to make the first move then the Quick Chats function is for you. Like Omegle, you will be chatting with someone unknown via video chat. And when you feel the chat is over simply click to start a chat with someone completely new. This is a fun way to meet new friends from all over the world. Members without a subscription will however be limited to only 3 matches.

When you start a chat the privacy filter will be turned on by default so your face will be partially covered until you are ready to reveal yourself. During a chat, you can send emojis and even add the member to your friends list. In the quick chat section, you will be able to create posts that other users can view, like, or comment on as well. This part is a bit like Instagram because posts have to be accompanied by a photo.

Search Filters

Who doesn’t love being just a little bit picky? With Blued’s advanced filters, you will be able to pinpoint exactly what type of guy you would like to see on your homepage. Filters can be based on their height, weight, role (top, bottoms, vers, etc), age, whether they have face pics, their body type, what they are looking for, and more.

All but one filter is available to absolutely anyone on Blued. It’s only the ‘face pic only’ filter that is exclusive to BluedX and VIP members. From our experience though, VERY few profiles are without a photo. So you won’t really be getting Grindr PTSD as you scroll through Blued. 

Prices & Costs

The basic features of the Blued gay app are completely free! But for access to more advanced features (including sending gifts or gay live chat), you will need to pay for a subscription. The two premium packages offered by Blued include the BluedX and VIP Memberships. A monthly plan starts at around $9 per month and subscriptions are auto-renewed each month and get charged through your iTunes for those on iOS devices.

Both BlueX and VIP subscriptions come with the following added perks:

• See who tapped you

• Display your photos as a reel on your avatar

• Create a VIP group with up to 120 members

• Remove all ads

• Unlimited views

• Video calls

• Send disappearing photos

• Read receipts 

• Quick chat previews

• Unique message bubble in your chats

• Leave no record after visiting someone’s homepage

• Hide your distance

• Hide online status

• Customize your app icon

• Get a full visitors list

• View more profiles in the Today’s Tops section

• Advanced filter capabilities

• Unlimited Travel Pass

• Increased block limit

• Become invisible to target groups

VIP subscriptions get the added bonus of having a decorative ‘exclusive’ badge on their profile as well as accelerated wealth and host levels from their gifts.

The site also works on a credit system (credits are called beans) that are used to send gifts to Blued live broadcasters. Beans are either bought in packages or can be earned by wowing your viewers in your broadcasts. Bean packages start at only 42 beans for $0.99 and go up to as much as 8,044 beans. The larger the package you go for, the cheaper each individual bean will cost you. Users with over 10,000 beans are also able to withdraw them for money by contacting the app’s support team.

How Safe Is Blued?

Fake Accounts

It is difficult to say whether there are any fake accounts on Blued. You should be careful regardless of platform when dating online. There isn’t much required concerning member verification on Blued, apart from needing to use a valid email address. While members can link their social media accounts to their Blued profile for some added verification, this is not necessary or something that other members will be able to see. 

Blued does, however, try to fight against any fake or bot accounts by implementing a manual photo review on all photos being uploaded. You will at least know that everyone‘s photos have been checked first-hand before they were approved to be on their profile. From our experience, there were also none of the very obvious signs of fake profiles being around.

Personal Data

Like most other apps, Blued is on par with their data policies and ensures that none of their users’ data will be shared without permission (unless so required by law enforcement agencies). Member’s data is also not sold to third parties whatsoever (yes, this does happen on other apps). Third parties are, however, able to collect some of your data if you decide to click on their links. So just be weary because they might have a different privacy policy to Blued. 

The Blued company takes data security seriously and employs a few methods to keep their app safe to use. Using encryption technologies, adopting access control, strengthening the app's security capabilities, and setting up a special management system with strict audits are only some of the ways Blued keeps your data as safe as it possibly can be. As far as we know there have not been any data breaches in the past.

Conclusion

It is easy to see why for a lot of members, Blued has become a rather good alternative to mainstream LGBT dating apps. And it’s kept its large user base engaged thanks to its well-loved features. You can think of Blued as Grindr’s little brother, but with all the added and loved Snapchat and Twitter features that make it even more fun to use for the newer generation. Members can enjoy their time on Blued no matter where they are from. But users in Asia will have the best chance of finding someone close enough for any in-person interactions.

Your overall experience might rely on what you are willing to spend though, as the amount of in-app purchases you decide to make can decide how much fun you’ll be able to have. After all, who doesn’t want to treat their favorite live video streamer with as many gifts as possible? Seeing how some of the main features are only available behind a paywall this cost will also be something to consider.

All in all, the Blued dating app is one of the better ones that a lot more gay people could find tons of value in joining. It’s definitely a place where connecting to others can be done very easily, and in a fun way. While gay men come in all shapes and sizes, Blued is an app that will suit just about anyone's preference and personality. And who knows, after a bit of bluedating you might just be the very next sensation going viral on Blued live streams.

Blued FAQ

What Is Blued Used For?

Blued (app) is a gay chat app that is used to connect gay men from all over the world. Interactions through the app include live broadcasts, personal contact via texts, disappearing images, voice and video calls, and social media interactions via sharing, liking, and commenting on posts from your favorite guys.

Is Blued A Safe App To Use?

Yes, it is. Blued offers adequate safety and security measures for its members to feel at ease while online dating. This does not negate the fact that users should still stay as vigilant as they would on any other dating app.

Can I Use Blued On PC?

Yes. You will however need to get the Blued app as there is no web version of Blued available. So any PC or Mac that can download apps from the respective App Store can use  the Blued app.

Which Countries Use Blued?

Blued can be accessed from anyone in any country in the world. However, the countries with the most active users (in ascending order of popularity) are Russia, Vietnam, India, Singapore, and China.

How To Delete My Blued Account?