What Is JDate?

Regarding Jewish dating, JDate is usually the first site that comes to mind. The faith-based dating website is created to unite Jewish singles on an easy-to-use platform. Unlike the multitudes of hookup sites that put appearance and pleasure first, JDate users are matched based on their shared faith and values to find someone for a legitimate and lasting relationship. You can say goodbye to your loving Jewish mother, introducing you to every 'nice Jewish girl' she meets, thinking she's found your future wife. 

In their aim to strengthen the Jewish community and connect like-minded singles, JDate has a few stellar matchmaking features to help connect members with their most compatible partner possible. Having full access to these features will cost between $29.99 and $59.99 per month. But in this review, we'll dive into that (and much more) in more detail. So read along to find out if JDate is the right dating site for you. 

Pros

• Specifically geared towards Jewish singles

• The JDate app is available on IOS or Android so that you can take your dating on the go

• High number of active users

• Boasts many success stories (52% of all married Jewish couples who met online met through JDate)

• Advanced filter options with specific preferences catered to its target demographic 

Cons

• Matches are limited to Jewish dating only

• You need an active subscription to message other members

• The JDate app has been know to be slow with loading photos 

• There is no free trial offered to get a feel for what a subscription is like

JDate Login Process

Your first JDate login will take a few minutes to complete as there are quite a few steps to create your account. In each step, you are required to provide certain information before you can continue to the next. But steps 5 to 7 can be skipped if you choose to do them later. To get things started, click on the 'Sign Up' link in the top right corner of the JDate.com homepage. 

Step 1: Provide basic info:

• First name

• Last name

• Gender (male or female)

• Email

• Date of birth 

• Zip code

• Agree to the T’s and C’s

• Complete the Captcha

Step 2: Upload photos:

• Add up to 6 photos (you need to upload at least 1 to continue)

Step 3: Give your profile a name:

• Create a unique display name for your profile (you can opt to go by your first name)

Step 4: More about you:

• Height 

• Religion

• Occupation

• Whether you have kids

• Your thoughts on wanting kids

• Level of education

• The college you attended

Step 5: Describe yourself:

• Write a short summary about yourself 

Step 6: Choose your interests from the provided lists in the following fields:

• Sports and Fitness

• Activities

• Arts and Entertainment 

• Travel

• Music

• Eats and drinks

Step 7: Describe who you are looking for:

• Their gender (male and/or female)

• Preferred age range

• Distance from you

• Religion

• Relationship goals

After completing your preferences, JDate will encourage you to subscribe as a paid member to access all the available features. You can choose to subscribe now or to continue with the free version for the time being. 

Profile Completion

The registration process was rather detailed, and all the information provided there will already populate your profile. But there is still more information that you can add to your profile once it's been created. Some sections that are unique to JDate include being able to add whether you live a Kosher lifestyle and how often you attend synagogue. Here's everything else you can add:

• Marital status

• Willingness to relocate

• Synagogue attendance 

• Whether you are kosher 

• Where did you grow up

• Ethnicity 

• Languages you speak 

• Pets 

• Drinking and smoking habits 

• Your preferred first date type

All these sections are entirely optional to fill in, but the information provided in these sections is what is used for advanced searches when looking for a match. Having them filled will give you a greater chance of finding someone compatible. Keep in mind that the more you fill out your profile, the more bits of data the J Date matchmaking algorithm has to track down more compatible Matches. 

User Account Quality

The overall profile quality on JDate is really high for a dating site. Every profile must have at least one photo, so you will never come across any blank profiles. With the extensive registration process, as well as being able to add a lot of extra personal information, profiles on the site are pretty detailed. Most members seem to have taken the time to fill out their profiles completely, so you know that they are not just here to mess about. 

With the large number of active members online, the matchmaking algorithm makes it much more efficient to browse through and see only the profiles you are most likely to be compatible with. You won't need to spend a lot of time searching for a needle in the haystack. JDate practically removes the proverbial haystack, showing only those shiny needle profiles. 

Dating Features

Matches

The matchmaking algorithm shines through on your Matches page. If you've added enough information on your profile for the site to find you a match, then here is where they will appear. Only the profiles the site has calculated you to have the most in common with will be shown. Unlike with the LookBook, you'll get to see each Match's complete profile. 

If you think the site did a good job finding someone you want to connect with, click the "Like this Match" button under their profile photo. Otherwise, simply choose to view your next Match. It is free to use this feature, but you will need a subscription if you want to message a Match. 

Note: You must have added an 'About Me' section (step 5) before you can start sending likes, smiles, or communicating with other members. 

Specified Browsing

Your homepage is also where you can do most of your browsing. And it's free for everyone. Here, you can scroll through the selection of users based on who is new, online now, or nearby. You can also browse based on the match percentage you share with someone. There is the option to add or edit your Discovery Preferences directly from here. These are basically your JDate com search parameters to specify what type of person you are looking to match with. 

Basic discovery preferences include:

• Gender 

• Age range

• Distance from your location 

• Religious views

• Preferred relationship type

Advanced Preferences parameters:

• Preferred height range

• Level of education

• Kosher 

• Synagogue attendance 

• Smoking habits

• Have or want kids

• Willingness to relocate 

• Marital status

• Language

• Ethnicity 

LookBook

The LookBook feature lets J Date users anonymously browse the profiles of potential matches one at a time for free. Profiles are shown based on your selected Discovery Preferences. On the LookBook page, you will see a member's profile photo, name, age, location, match percentage, and essay. With only this information, you'll have to select to either like (click the heart) or pass (click the X) each profile presented. You can click their name to see their full profile, but you will no longer be anonymous. 

All your liked profiles will show under the My Likes section on your activity page. If the member you clicked the heart on liked your profile, they will be notified that you are a mutual like. Only mutual likes get a notification. The LookBook is a fun way to go through possible matches and give each profile a good look without distraction from a whole grid of profiles. 

JDate Activity 

The Activity page is a great way to keep track of your dating activity on JDate. Here, you'll see whose profile you liked, your mutual likes, and whose profile you viewed. Members with an active subscription can also see who liked them and who viewed their profile. 

Being able to see all this information will only help you in your dating endeavors. Who knows, someone else might just have taken a peek at you but was too shy to make the first move. Or you got liked by someone you've passed on, and now you get to give it a second thought armed with the knowledge that they are into you. 

Prices & Costs

JDate is primarily a subscription-based dating site. Some features (including Browsing, LookBook, and Matches) are free to use, but you must purchase a premium subscription to send messages to anyone on the platform. Having a subscription is not only for communication's sake. It also comes with some extra perks like seeing who liked and viewed your profile and being able to turn on read receipts, to name a few. JDate prices their subscriptions based on length, and all subscriptions auto-renew when they've expired. 

Features you get with the subscription:

• Get access to all users' photos

• Receive and send messages to other paid subscribers 

• Turn on read receipts 

• See which users have liked you

• See who has viewed your profile

• Hide your profile and online status.

• Browse anonymously without triggering a profile view

JDate members are also able to Spotlight their profile. This is an added feature that free and paid members can buy as a once-off purchase separately from their SubscriptionSubscription. A profile with an active Spotlight will receive extra attention by appearing at the very top of Browse results. These profiles are discernible by a blue 'Spotlight' badge. 

Spotlight Cost:

• 1 Day - $2.99 ($2.99 per day)

• 7 Days - $7.99 ($1.14 per day)

• 30 Days - $19.98 ($0.66 per day)

NOTE: Please be aware that all the prices listed on J Date are BEFORE sales tax, which only gets added when you make your purchase. 

How Safe Is JDate?

Use of Personal Information

We'll save you the task of reading through the lengthy Privacy Policy. After thoroughly diving into how JDate collects and uses its members' personal data, we can happily say that you won't need to worry too much. The site takes its security rather seriously and has so far had a squeaky-clean record as far as hacking or data leaks go. The customer service team is also very reliable should you have any questions. They don't provide a phone number for JDate, but you can contact them through the 'Help' section. 

Third-Party Involvement

It might be good to know that the site uses cookies and third-party data collectors to show interest-based ads on your browsing history. This includes permitting third-party online advertising networks, social media companies, and other external services to collect your browsing data so they may display targeted ads on JDate and other services you may use (including social media platforms).  

Final Thoughts

It is clear why JDate is such a premier online dating website. If you are a Jewish single looking for a long-term relationship, then you are in the right hands. Whether you have specific preferences regarding religious branches, kosher choices, or synagogue attendance, the platform caters to your needs. With a dedicated faith-specific platform, there is a good chance that you can become part of the 52% of Jewish marriages that meet online through the site. 

The matchmaking algorithm and your Discovery Preferences will almost guarantee that you will connect with people who match your beliefs and values. But even if you aren't Jewish and are just curious to meet a Jewish partner, JDate could be for you. If you don't fall into the category or Jewish-liking demographic, then your chances of finding a match are as good as zero, and you'd be better off on another dating site. 

Making the best use of the site will set you back at least $29.99 monthly. But in the end, this is a small price to pay if it means that you end up finding the love of your life. One that fits your and your Jewish mother's expectations. And for those who ask, "Isn't JDate for seniors only?" the answer is no. You'll find all ages here (18 and older, of course). 

FAQ

Is J Date for seniors or who is J Date for?  

The site is explicitly aimed at Jewish singles. While you do not have to be Jewish to join the site, it is definitely oriented toward sparking lasting relationships within the targeted population. And no, it's not just for seniors. Anyone 18 or older who wants to meet Jewish singles can sign up

How does JDate work to find a match? 

JDate finds fitting matches based on the information provided in your Discovery Preferences. Your preferences will determine the profiles that are shown on your Browse page as well as the Matches you are sent every day. This can be adjusted anytime to find a broader or narrower selection of matches in your area.  

How much does JDate cost per month?

The exact monthly JDate cost will depend on your subscription length. Opting for a longer premium subscription results in a lower monthly cost. Multi-month subscriptions are, however, paid for in one lump sum and not in monthly installments.

• 1 Month - $59.99 ($59.99 per month)

• 3 Months - $134.97 ($44.99 per month)

• 6 Months - $179.94 ($29.99 per month)

How to get JDate for free online? 

It is always free to sign up and create a JDate account. You can browse through other JDate members, use the LookBook feature, find matches, and receive messages as a free member.

How to cancel JDate subscription auto-renewal feature? 

Click the thumbnail of your profile picture in the top-right corner of your profile page. Then, select Account Settings and Manage Subscription. Click the Stop Subscription button and choose a reason for canceling. Tap Continue, and finally, click Stop Subscription again.

How to delete JDate account permanently? 

Log in to your JDate account. Click the thumbnail of your profile picture in the top-right corner of your profile page. Click Account Settings and then Profile Display Settings. Finally, click the Permanently Delete Profile button. 

This does not cancel the auto-renewal of your premium subscription, and you'll need to do that before deleting your account.