How Single Encounters works
Single Encounters Features: Everything You Need to Find Love
Daily matches, messages, chat rooms and more: here’s how each one helps you get from hello to a first date.
Matches that start with what you want
Every day, Single Encounters suggests members you might get on with. Those suggestions take account of the things that count when you’re looking for a partner rather than a pen pal:
- What you’re looking for
- Age range
- Gender
- Distance
- Recent activity
- Drinking and smoking
- Interests
- Religion
Tell us you want something long-term and that shapes who you’re shown. Lifestyle counts too, so drinking and smoking come into it, and if faith matters to you, religion is one of the factors. Recent activity puts people who have been on the site lately in front of you.
Interests finish the picture. Add a few to your profile, such as “Slow Dating”, “Deep Conversations” or “Someone to do nothing with”, and a shared one makes an easy opening line. Prefer to choose for yourself? Swipe through members instead: right for yes, left for no. Or see some of the newest members on the Single Encounters home page.
Start on Classic, with more when you want it
Classic membership gives you everything you need to get going. VIP and VIP Plus add more ways to talk, and more ways to be seen.
| Feature | Classic | VIP | VIP Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Profile, photos and status updates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Browse members and swipe | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Daily match suggestions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Comments, polls and quizzes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Read and reply to messages from VIP members | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Send messages | Limited daily | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Advanced search: city, distance, what people are open to | No | Yes | Yes |
| Members-only chat rooms | No | Yes | Yes |
| Private group chats for up to 50 people | No | Yes | Yes |
| Rewind swipes | No | Yes | Yes |
| See who likes you | No | Yes | Yes |
| Priority comments | No | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive matches | No | No | Yes |
| Priority placement for messages and likes | No | No | Yes |
| Top of the match stack | No | No | Yes |
| Profile boosts and Super Match | No | No | Add-ons |
For what each plan costs, and which plans renew, see Single Encounters prices.
Keep good conversations going
When you’re getting to know someone, waiting until tomorrow to reply can take the shine off things. VIP lifts the daily limit on messages, so a conversation that’s flowing can carry on for as long as you both like. See who likes you shows you who has already shown an interest, and rewind takes you back to a profile you swiped past too quickly.
Advanced search lets you look by city, by distance and by what people are open to, handy when you’d like someone close enough for a midweek drink. VIP also opens the members-only chat rooms, lets you start private group chats for up to 50 people, and gives your comments priority.
VIP Plus includes all of that, plus exclusive matches, and it moves your likes and messages to the front of the queue and your profile to the top of the match stack, so you are among the first people your matches see each day. Profile boosts and Super Match can be bought on top as add-ons.
You decide who gets to know you
- Other members see your username, not your real name or your email address.
- Your location shows as your nearest town or city, never your address or where you are right now.
- Block someone and they can no longer contact you.
- Report a profile or a message from inside the site.
Before you meet anyone, read our online dating safety tips.
Ready whenever you are
Single Encounters runs in your browser on a phone, tablet or computer, so there’s nothing to download. On a phone, add it to your home screen and it’s one tap away, ready for a look at your matches on the bus or a reply in your lunch break. It’s the same account wherever you sign in, so a conversation started on your laptop carries on from your phone.
How Single Encounters works: your questions
How are my daily matches chosen?
They’re based on what you’re looking for, your preferred age range and gender, distance, how recently people were active, lifestyle, interests and religion. The more of your profile you fill in, the more there is to match on.
Can I send messages as a Classic member?
Yes. Classic members get a small allowance of messages that’s topped up every day, and anything sent by VIP and VIP Plus members can be read and answered. VIP removes the daily limit.
What does VIP Plus add to VIP?
Three things on top of VIP: exclusive matches, priority for your messages and likes, and the top spot in your matches’ daily suggestions. Boosts and Super Match are extras you can buy. Our pricing page lists every plan.
Can I stop someone contacting me?
Yes. Block them and they can no longer contact you. If they’ve broken our house rules, report them as well.
Meet your first matches
Sign up, say what you’re looking for, and let your daily matches make the introductions.
Join free