FirstMet Review

How Does It Work?

FirstMet, formerly known as AYI, is a dating platform that connects singles since 2007. The website offers a simple model of matching people based on their interests and preferences. Unlike many dating services, FirstMet does not ask you to answer hefty personality questionnaires. Therefore, it is easy and convenient to use for casual dating and friendship. Moreover, as the website focuses specifically on connecting singles over 35, we can consider it a serious, niche platform with a defined mission. However, does this website really offer the best chance of matching with a like-minded individual? You will find out whether FirstMet is worth your time and money in this unbiased review.

Sign-Up & Login Process

Going through a quick registration is the first step to your dating experience on FirstMet. The website gives you two standard options: register with an email or use your Facebook account to do it. You don’t need to go through an email confirmation. As you sign up, you will only indicate essential information, such as your first name, gender, location, and gender preferences for a partner. These, as well as a profile photo, will allow you to start looking for matches on the platform. Note that FirstMet reviews all new members’ photos for approval. The best profile picture will be a close-up photo that shows your face clearly. Without a photo, FirstMet will not suggest your profile to other users. Afterward, you are free to complete your profile with details about yourself or start browsing through match suggestions right away.

According to many reviews, people frequently have issues with login. For some reason, the website may not let you log into your account without a proper explanation. Another extreme is that people sometimes receive an email about setting up an account on FirstMet. Continue reading this review to find out more controversial details about this dating website.

Profile Interface

FirstMet has a standard profile interface with a profile photo, personal information fields, and buttons you can use to interact with a person. As some users report, you don’t have to complete your profile to make contact on FirstMet. However, if you put more details about your preferences, likes, interests, as well as your appearance and character, you will get a more accurate match. The information can be as detailed as your religion, political views, and your star sign. Moreover, the website conveniently allows you to choose from already available options instead of writing everything from scratch in a blank field. This, of course, saves you time and effort and makes it easier to find more like-minded people on the website.

Matches/Communication

Let’s get to the topic of finding and contacting your matches. On FirstMet, you don’t have the free option to search for matches manually. Instead, the website makes profile recommendations for you to review. The method is straightforward and convenient, allowing members to express their interest by giving ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on suggested profiles. However, you don’t necessarily need to like a profile to start chatting with them. Similarly, if you’re unsure about a profile, you can skip it for the time being, and it will be recommended to you again later.

FirstMet offers several features of communication. Apart from liking a profile, you can send them a quick message right away. The website has a convenient feature – a one-click conversation starter that offers original question ideas to break the ice. However, many members don’t like it as it looks auto-generated and doesn’t show the user’s real intention. You can also use a video chat feature. In case you want to stop interacting with a profile, there are options to block or report the user on their profile.

Members Structure and Activities

FirstMet is mainly popular in the United States, where it gathers 18 million users. However, the platform has a strong international presence as well, counting up to 30 million users in total worldwide. People usually look for casual relationships here, which is justified by the straightforward matching system based on liking someone’s appearance. If you’re looking for a serious relationship, you may not find your luck on this website. Find out more details further below in this review.

Users Age

You are welcome to use the website as long as you are over 18 years old. However, as previously mentioned, FirstMet primarily offers dating services to singles aged 35 and older. Therefore, the younger audiences should probably look for other dating website variants. According to numerous user experiences, the website is most popular with the male audience aged 35-50.

Sexual Preferences

Whether you want to be matched with the opposite sex or the same sex, FirstMet provides dating opportunities for straight and LGBT members alike. The website allows you to indicate your gender and sexual preferences while signing up for the service. Based on this, the brand will recommend you matches to other members. However, according to many people, there are not many dating options for the LGBT community. Moreover, some user reviews claim that the website’s matching system may still try to connect people who don’t share the same sexual preferences.

Race and Ethnicity

FirstMet welcomes singles of all races and ethnicities. You can state your ethnicity on your profile to get connected with people from your community. However, this is unnecessary as the website mostly recommends matches according to your stated interests and other profile information.

Religious Orientation

Religion is one of the fields you can fill out in your FirstMet profile. However, this is completely up to you as the website does not require you to provide such sensitive information. If you want to be matched with people with the same religious views, add this in your profile for others to see.

FirstMet Dating Website Features

Those who are looking for unique features that would set FirstMet apart from its competitors will be disappointed. This dating website offers a simple match system based on likes and dislikes. No search option is available for the platform’s users. Instead, FirstMet gives you match suggestions based on your profile information. Whether you like a suggested profile or not, you can check ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on them. Alternatively, you can skip their account to make a decision later. For communication, FirstMet offers a standard selection of options: messaging, video chat, and a general chatroom.

Apart from icebreakers and a Paltalk video feature, there are no other special features available on FirstMet. As it is, the website doesn’t have an advantage over its competitors in terms of functionality. Moreover, as most of these elements require a paid membership, FirstMet definitely falls short of expectations in today’s competitive market. As a result, many user reviews indicate that members pay more than they get.

Safety & Security

When it comes to technical security, FirstMet uses standard SSL encryption technologies to protect its clients’ data. At the same time, the website administration carefully reviews and approves all new accounts to prevent fraud. However, mixed reviews from FirstMet’s users indicate that the website may not be doing enough to ensure its members’ safety. There are frequent reports about scam accounts and the lack of action from FirstMet customer support. Although the website claims to take serious measures to secure the platform, members continue to complain about a large number of scammers.

As with most online dating platforms, certain measures can protect you from malicious intent on FirstMet. Be careful not to give out your personal details such as official and financial information, address, money, etc. In the next section, we are discussing whether you should pay for FirstMet’s premium membership services.

Is FirstMet Legit or Scam Service?

FirstMet is a reputable dating platform with over 15 years of experience in the market. However, both the reviews and our own analysis of the website point to the fact that the platform is somewhat controversial. Firstly, users of the website often complain about issues with FirstMet’s paid services. Some users pay for a membership and cannot access their account afterward, while others cannot cancel their paid subscription and continue getting charged. Moreover, there have been reports that many profiles on the platform are fake. Not many matches are available within a short distance, so the website may start suggesting profiles that don’t match your preferences or criteria. Some users claim that FirstMet can go as far as like profiles on your behalf. Although FirstMet is definitely a legit service, recent user experiences suggest that the brand should improve its policies and make a better effort to ensure its members’ safety and satisfaction.

Subscription Types and Price

Free Membership

As a free member of FirstMet, you have limited options on the website. Registration is free, as is the profile creation. You can browse through the suggested matches, read them, and view photos for free. You can also participate in a general chatroom or use the Paltalk video feature. However, to make actual, serious contact with another user or use the website’s special features, you will need to buy a premium membership.

Paid Membership

For a monthly fee, FirstMet offers you full access to its dating services. Premium members can receive and send messages from other users without any restrictions. They can also see who visits their profile. Moreover, Premium membership ensures that everyone can read your messages, whether they have basic or paid member status. Apart from this, you can use the special icebreaker feature to start a conversation. Finally, a paid subscription allows you to boost your profile and appear in other users’ suggestions more often.

When it comes to paid features, dating websites always try their best to offer their clients the most beneficial terms. As for FirstMet’s premium features, there is not much that can offer you a superior experience on the website compared to other options out there.

Website Design and Usability

FirstMet has a simple and practical design that will hardly impress younger audiences. At the same time, the website is swift and easy in navigation, and the interface is neat and user-friendly. While some people may find the design a little outdated, it matches the brand’s focus on a more mature audience.

Mobile Application

Most people nowadays prefer to date online with the help of their smartphones. FirstMet offers this opportunity to its members with an official mobile app. It is available for both Android and iPhone users and is free to download. The app doesn’t have any significant differences from the desktop version. You can use the same functions without missing out on your full experience of dating on the website. As for the app’s rating, unfortunately, it fares no better than the website itself. The majority of users leave a review with a 1-star rating and warnings about fake profiles and scammers.

Contact Information

Company: The Dating Company, LLC

Address: 334 Cornelia St, #104, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Phone: N/A

E-mail: [email protected]

Conclusion

FirstMet has been around for over 15 years in the online dating industry. Despite the brand’s reputation and experience, there are many concerns about the brand’s services today. With a simple, user-friendly interface and a straightforward matching system, FirstMet has the potential to provide a niche experience for those looking for casual online dating. However, today there are numerous scathing reviews about scammers and fake profiles on the website, as well as about the platform’s questionable practices with Premium membership fees. Given these facts, we cannot recommend FirstMet as the platform for your best online dating experience.

Best dating sites of 2024

Adam4Adam

Read review→

AfroRomance

Read review→

Alt.com

Read review→

AsianDate

Read review→