A cornerstone of the Online-Dating scene, but in no way obsolete: OKcupid – remains, as always, a Top-Player

OKcupid is based on the principle of matching according to interests. You fill out a questionnaire at the start, and based from the answers you give, you are then guided toward members with which you have similar interests.

Much of the app is forward-thinking and liberal. For instance, a word that appears very often is "polyamory". This type of relationship is based on the assumption that you can fall in love with multiple partners. So it's not just about having sex with different people, but about deep and meaningful relationships with more than one person.

You can also go for a completely different approach, should this not float your boat. For instance, some are looking for one-night stands, whereas others are looking for friends with benefits. In contrast, some are looking for that one true love.

OKcupid is also ideal for travelling – you can quickly and efforlessly make contacts on the go. Who knows, you may find volunteers to show you the sights and sounds of new cities and countries.

Simply stated: OKcupid is in principle very diverse, although there is a slight inclination toward liberal and open attitudes.

The key take-aways for you

OKcupid is certainly more suitable for people with an open mind toward dating, who can see themselves having short affairs. If, however, you are monogamous and are looking for a partner for life, you have a much better chance on other platforms. Should this be the case for you, we can recommend our test winners in the love category.

Furnished with a little more flexibility than the average site, OKcupid offers you a wide variety of options. Here you can meet people from all over the world and can pursue all your fantasies. And OKcupid is also suitable for non-binary individuals.

Can I find hot sex dates on OKcupid in NZ?

Yes. It is absolutely possible to find a hookup on OKcupid in NZ. Many people on the site write that they are "open to sex" and look forward to meeting people who are just as open as them. The matching system will help you find the right person. As a rule, the first step is to get to know each other. But who knows, it could develop into romance that very same day.

Here again is an overview of all the important facts about the OKcupid app:

• Founded in 2004, OKcupid is one of the oldest online Dating sites on the net
• The portal is based in New York City.
• Half of all users are based in the US.
• According to Okcupid, there are over 91 million matches every year through the app
• OKcupid is diverse: You can choose from 20 different genders.
• One of the 12 sexual orientations will likely suit you.
• The heart of OKcupid is its unique matching system
• Contact is possible even with the free version

The standard version of Okcupid is absolutely free.

Without additional charges you can like and write to members within a daily limit. You can read messages and, in the event of a match, send unlimited messages to that person. Additional functions are included for the two types of premium membership.

Premium membership: what does it cost and what benefits are included in the price?

Note: All prices are quoted by OKcupid in US dollars

OKcupid A-List Basic

• You can see who likes you
• There are additional filter functions such as body type and attractiveness
• Unlimited likes
• You can see when your message has been read
• No advertisements

The price

• For six months: 7,99 USD per month
• For three months: 11,99 USD per month
• For one month: 15,99 USD per month

OKcupid A-List Premium

• Boost-Function: Your profile will be more visible at peak times
• You can see how other people answered their questions (even if you did not answer the specific question)
• Many more attractive matches

The price

• For six months: 19,99 USD per month
• For three months: 24,99 USD per month
• For one month: 29,99 USD per month

What is the OKcupid Boost?

OKcupid's algorithm prioritises those with premium memberships. With the added boost you will be bumped up the list and will be more visible. You can also book the function independently of your subscription- for example in packs of ten.

The price

• Ten boosts: 1,89 USD per boost
• Five boosts: 2,19 USD per boost
• One boost: 2,99 USD per boost

Payments can be made on OKcupid by credit card or PayPal.

Registration: It's quick and easy

Registration is relatively fast. Download the app, click on “Register” and enter your email and password. Then upload a suitable photo – you will not be seen by other users without a photo.

After this, you will be given a total of 15 questions that help classify your personality. You can leave out questions if you wish. Nonetheless, the more information you provide, the more precise your matches will be later.

Couples can also enjoy OKcupid

An interesting quirk here is that you can link profiles together. This is particularly useful if you are a swinger or part of a polyamorous couple. A complete couple profile, however, is not offered. The procedure for linking profiles is simple:

First, click on the "Add: Relationship Type" option on the profile page. This is located at the top right of the screen. You now have the option of selecting, for example, “Seeing Someone” or “Married”. You then have the option of linking another account – via "Link Accounts". Now enter your partner's username and connect.

Social Media – Link Instagram and Facebook with OKcupid

With OKcupid there is the option to connect your profile to Facebook. This can be done the first time you log in, so that you can access your OKcupid account using your Facebook login data. This will not be visible to other users, and any photos taken from Instagram are displayed only with permission from you.

The profile text is your showpiece

Photos and answers by themselves are not enough to get you dates on OKcupid. In contrast to usual swiping Apps, most users will read your profile text.

So make sure you present the best version of yourself and go into a bit of detail about your personality, your wishes and your interests.

So what should you write here?

By all means look at other profiles for a bit of inspiration, but be creative. You could also use the OKcupid questions as a basis.

Your photo is important

The photo is the first impression people will get from you. You should present yourself naturally and relaxed on OKcupid. So there's really no need to mess about with filters like you do with Instagram.

App or website – which is better for dating?

Although the website was launched in 2004, it is in no way inferior to the newer services. Both the app and the homepage have simple designs and are user-friendly: we rate OKcupid high for usability!

Can I use the app for free?

Regardless of whether you use iOS or Android– the app is available, free of charge, in their respective play and app stores. Once downloaded, sign up at no extra charge.

Is the app practical, and if yes, how?

Yes. The app is particularly useful whilst on the go. You can like and write to members for free wherever you are. Overall, the functions on the mobile phone application are the same as on the website.

One disadvantage is that profile photos are at times a little slow to load

Am I poly? What is Polyamory?

Many users of OKcupid NZ in the big cities describe themselves readily as “poly”. This does not mean the usual polygamous partner exchange. The mutual feelings that resonate are more important. Polyamorous individuals have several partners on both a sexual and emotional level. According to OKcupid statistics, the number of such people is steadily increasing.

What does this mean in concrete terms?

Let’s look at a simple example: a heterosexual relationship between a man and a woman. They have been together already for a number of years and live in a shared flat. Over time they grow apart. Perhaps one of them is striving toward a new career and has less time for their partner. At this point they begin considering having a bit of freedom outside of their relationship. This allows them to concentrate on their own wishes and needs. While one partner pursues their professional goals, the other can involve a third person in order to ensure their needs are met. With a monogamous relationship, diverging needs cannot be resolved without tension. The down sides here are obvious:

• Each partner is entirely responsible for meeting the emotional and physical needs of the other. If this is no longer possible, it leads invariably to problems.
• As such things are not discussed as openly as they should, bisexual people often miss out in monogamous relationships
• It’s not so easy to take a time out from relationship duties to concentrate on other areas of life.

Is Polyamory the answer to this?

In polyamorous relationships, love is defined as non-exclusive. Typical statements that you can read from polyamorous Okcupid members are, for instance:

• That they want a permanent, long-term relationship
• That their partner should be free and happy
• That it is not a problem to love several people at the same time
• That intimate relationships with other people is permitted and should be discussed freely and openly (no secrets)
• That a relationship can only be healthy and successful through the daily decision to love each other and not through the compulsory adherence to monogamy.

Nonetheless, you need to honestly reflect on yourself and your relationship. Above all, this applies to one's own feelings about the other person. How do you react the first time your partner meets someone else? In fact, there are many couples who, while polyamorous, rarely use their options.

Before you dive into such a relationship, google a bit more about this term. For a deeper insight into the concept of polyamory, we recommend the legendary book “ The Ethical Slut“ by Dossie Easton and Janet W. Hardy.

The bottom line: Our conclusion

Via OKcupid New Zealand you can make contact with people who match with your personality and your interests- free of charge. You can even chat and read unlimited messages with the free account. Few other platforms can successfully compete with this.

Their matching system has developed over more than 15 years into a functional tool for partner searching. The targeted filter options and the clear design of the app are remarkable.

What makes OKcupid so special?

OKcupid's strong suit lies with its flexibility and international approach. As with Parship and Zoosk, you can switch from Berlin to London, and from Paris to New York City, any time you want.

And bisexual people will have no problem with OKcupid. In the search settings you can look for multiple genders at the same time.

Despite the fact that membership numbers are still relatively low in New Zealand, it could still be worth the OKcupid membership. You can make friends all over the world und set up hot dates for your next holiday.

The matching systems on other dating apps is usually kept pretty simple. Due to the sheer length of time that Okcupid has been around however, they have developed a far more complex system which differentiates them from their competition. With the Okcupid matching system, you yourself gets to choose what exactly is important to you.

This is how it works: Firstly, you answer a few introductory questions, after which you have the possibility of providing further information on over 4,000 individual points, from themes such as lifestyle, sexuality, politics and ethics. You can also clarify what you would like to talk about with a potential date.

The advantage here is that your answers can be weighted- just how important is it that your partner shares a particular point of view or area of interest?

For instance, you can exclude a member who has the complete opposite stance to your liberal attitude toward dating and love.

How does this influence the matching results?

What really stands out as the most significant difference with the OKcupid matching system is the percentage. These indicate from 0 to 100 percent how similar you are in answering the questions. So you know in advance whether a date has a realistic chance of success.

Our tip: Make good use of the questionnaire to increase the probability of a real heart-match.

There are numerous examples of precise matching. For instance, with the OKcupid system you are more likely to find people who want to live monogamously, or are into ONS, want children, love BDSM or have a relaxed attitude toward drugs.

Through the answering and weighting system you can be almost certain that you are on the same wavelength as your potential partner. Not only this, the chances of actually meeting up increases too.

What's the score with fakes and scams?

OKcupid's official line is strict and uncompromising: Fake profiles and scams will not be tolerated. Photos and accounts are subject to regular checks, and members also actively help with this process. That being said, we did not come across any obvious fakes in our tests.

And if I find one, can I report it?

There are three points on the edge of each profile that open up a range of options. Click on them and you'll be given a choice of menu settings. Here you can report or block an account. The same menu is available in the chat window. Once blocked, the person will no longer have access to your profile.

Can users verify their identity?

There is no verification process with OKcupid. Which means that you don't have to share your phone number or confirm your identity in any other way.

Essentially, this makes it easier to create fake profiles. However, OKcupid finds other methods and means to get around this problem, such as relying on the support of an honest and authentic community to weed out the bad apples.

Our conclusion

Although the provider is good at spotting possible fakes and scams and excludes fraudulent transactions with a high degree of success, we of course, as with any dating platform, advise a measure of caution.  Here are a few tips to be even more secure on OKcupid:

• Proceed with caution with your personal data and do not give any info to third parties without careful consideration
• Never send money to third party actors
• If a profile appears somewhat dubious to you or you receive a dodgy looking offer – block and report them immediately

Two different ways to find a potential partner:

1. Using the member search function
2. Via Matching.

How to search for members with filter settings

As with the questionnaire, you can specify your wishes using the filter. You can search, for example, using body size, origin, religion, consumption of luxury foods, relationship desires and sexual orientation.

You even have the ability to search for members with specific answers to certain questions. For instance, find someone who answered whether they like to dance or not.

And with the Double Take option

The Double Take function shows you just the one profile instead of several profiles, but in far more detail. This will give you a better and deeper impression of the person on the other side of the screen.

How does the search settings for the double take work?

With regards to the double take, in our experience, it is basically the main search settings that work  - the detail filters don't.

The Discover-Function

Discover means nothing more than simply "discover". You can browse through a wide range of profiles, which are sorted according to top matches and shared interests.

Here’s how you chat on OKcupid

Our experience says: The members of OKcupid are very chatty and are happy to have relaxed conversations. Amongst other things, this may be because the chat is very well integrated into the portal. As soon as you like a user, a window opens in the app in which you can comment on their photos and info. If you receive a like in return, you can write to each other without any limitation.

How is this useful?

The good news is, you can also write a message before matching and put yourself in a positive light. Since you are limited to just one message, scams and other forms of intrusive behaviour are excluded.

Dating success on OKcupid in New Zealand – This is how it works!

First of all, your profile is the centrepiece. Here, you present yourself and your personality in the best possible light. We've sourced a few tips from OKcupid's blog:

• Okcupid recommends that you upload several photos, so as to form a 3-Dimensional and in-depth representation of yourself.
• By labelling your photos you can specify your interests and avoid misunderstandings. This will also serve as the basis for fruitful conversations.
• For three quarters of users, spelling mistakes are a major turn-off. So do not post anything without first making a quick check over.
• The Okcupid algorithm is designed so that those users that are active and update their profile regularly will jump up the rankings.
• If you support charities or would describe yourself as an activist, talk about it. Most users are impressed by things like this and tend to meet up with people who are passionate about helping their society and working with nature.
• Linking your profile with Instagram increases interest significantly. According to statistics, such profiles receive twice as many messages as those that are not linked. The Insta account works like an icebreaker.
• Coincidence or Depth Psychology? According to OKcupid, pictures taken in the late afternoon are much more attractive to other users.

Take all the options that OKcupid offers you

OKcupid is really something special among dating platforms due to its strong focus on tolerance and alternative lifestyles. Be open to difference and find other relaxed and unique people. Be authentic, be clear about who you are and what you like. Answering the questionnaire makes this easier.

Are you familiar with what hookups, short- and long-time dating actually are? It is essential that you know these terms before completing the profile. You can find an explanation here:

• Hookups: No-strings Sex without any form of commitment
• Short-time Dating: Straightforward Sex but with a little more effort toward getting to know each other
• Long-time Dating: Begins slowly and requires time to get to know each other

Find spontaneous sex-dates on OKcupid in New Zealand

Those looking for a one night stand on OKcupid in New Zealand simply need to adjust their settings accordingly. In this way the search preferences are configured so that you are open to hookups and short-term dating. You can specify this on your profile and choose filters so that only people with a similar interest are displayed. To do this, go to "My ideal person", then to "Connections" and click on "connect".

How to find quick Hookups in NZ

Look for a potential partner who matches you with a high percentage. Then scroll through their questionnaire and pay close attention to the following points:

• Say you’ve started seeing someone you really like. As far as you’re concerned, how long will it take before you have sex? Whoever answers here with “1-2 Dates” is relatively open for a quick number.
• Could you date someone with no long-term goals? Answer this question with a yes, and a one night stand is absolutely possible.
• Regarding how long you want your next relationship to last. Here you should write “One Night“.

Important: You cannot see the other person's answers if you have not answered the respective question yourself. This is only possible with the A-List Premium subscription, the real professional version of OKcupid.

After you have found a suitable profile, like it. Now you have the opportunity to write a short intro - and you should take this opportunity. The likes themselves are not visible to free members. The intros appear immediately. In this way you draw positive attention to yourself and can initiate a date. It is best to describe yourself briefly, give a few compliments to the photos, explain how you came across the account and mention something in common as a conversation starter. E.g .: I'm also into Marvel movies.

When well worded, you will quickly receive positive feedback. Those that respond usually feel that they are on your wavelength. Now, you shouldn't be tripping over your own feet with excitement, but you should definitely be moving in nonetheless. Suggest a spontaneous meeting: after all, real life is preferable to drawn-out online communication.

Tip: organise your date for the next day. After all, one-night stands require a bit of preparation – a messy apartment is another major turn-off. You also need to put some time into your personal appearance- and maybe set the washing machine to the hottest setting.

What about the day after that?

Waiting for two days is too long. During this time, that initial spark could go out, conversations could begin to sound forced, or you yourself may start to get cold feet. So reduce the chance of failure. A no-obligation meeting that ends with spontaneous sex is what you are going for.

What about friendship-plus on OKcupid?

Friendship-plus is a very interesting concept that kind of resembles long-term dating. Here, you're good friends, but sometimes you indulge in a little more. At the same time, you are absolutely open to other adventures. Of course, everything starts with a first date and a first night together.

Tip: To find a partner for friendship plus, search for short-term dating as an interest. The first meeting is the beginning. If it goes well, you might see each other again and the planned one-night stand will turn into a casual friendship plus.

Now for true love: Can I find my partner for life on OKcupid?

It is not uncommon for people to use OKcupid to find true love. Again, the questions and the filter function will guide you towards those with a desire for lifelong happiness and love. Make sure that you formulate your wishes clearly and precisely.

Tip: If you haven't paid for a membership, state this on your profile. Make it clear that you cannot see any likes and that anyone interested in you should leave an intro with you.

Many users with A-List don't even know that their likes are not showing up. As a result, some users falsely assume that the other person doesn't like them. This is a mistake.

The service is not just about sex and love: you can also look simply for friendship

It might be hard to believe, but OKcupid is also great for finding friends. For example, choose "anywhere" as a location and match with random people from all over the world.

Here, you will be able to make friends in different countries. Who knows, this may result in exciting conversations and will inspire you in your daily life. You will learn new things about other cultures and you may decide to visit a certain country in the future that probably wasn't on your radar to begin with. Having put time into making friends in these new places, you stand to have a much better experience.