Badoo Dating App & Website Review
With so many dating sites for lesbians, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. Each website is different with its pros and cons, and it’s a challenge determining whether the pros outweigh the cons.
I’ve spent countless hours testing the site thoroughly, and it might be safe to say I became a pro at it. Here, I’ll cover the site’s features, its members, and its efficacy, and share my conclusions. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
A Closer Look at the Registration Process
Compared to many other sites I’ve tested, Badoo has a straightforward registration process. I bet if you were racing the clock, you could finish up the registration process in under a minute.
You just need some basic information. Name, gender, city and birthday, phone or email, and what you’re looking for, aka friends, dates, or someone to chat with. You can freely skip uploading your photo as you can do so later.
To gain full access to Badoo, you’ll need to verify your profile (which can be done later as well).
And that’s about it. I enjoyed this quick sign-up process, as it felt pretty efficient. You could sign up with your FB account for an even faster registration process.
Making Contact with Members
Badoo rose to fame as a social media platform with a focus on making connections with strangers. So, unsurprisingly, you can effortlessly search for its members and make contact with them.
Before you can start a conversation, you need to go upload at least one photo of yourself. Once that’s done, you can start messing around. Add people to your Favourites list, send them a smile (similar to the “poke” on Facebook), send a message, or check out potential matches through Badoo Encounters.
Profile Quality: Are User Profiles Detailed and Informational or Not?
Profile quality isn’t Badoo’s strongest suit. Since users don’t need to provide much information, many profiles are kind of empty.
There are no personality tests and quizzes, and not much profile space where you can express yourself. You can only pick your interests from a relatively long list, but I felt it was superficial. However, the site’s more about helping you find hookups and casual relationships, so I guess detailed profiles aren’t that necessary.
The good news is that users are encouraged to verify their profiles, which helps prevent fake accounts and catfishing. The verification is done through email, phone, or photo. The photo verification process requires you to copy the poses that are shown to you to confirm you are who you say you are.
After a member’s been verified, they’ll have a small blue checkmark at the bottom of their profile picture.
All You Need to Know About Members & Messaging
If you want to avoid wasting your time with suspicious profiles, just make sure you connect with verified accounts. Once you see someone attractive, you can message them for free, which I enjoyed. Most similar sites have strict messaging limitations to free users, but not Badoo.
You can send two free messages to a member you’re interested in. If they don’t reply, then you cannot communicate with them anymore. However, if they do reply, you can exchange messages at no additional cost! It’s pretty neat and gives you a chance to talk with unique individuals without spending a penny.
You can also have video chats with members you’ve made a connection with, which I think is an excellent feature to have for free.
App by Badoo: Is It Worth the Download?
Compared to the site, I think the app is much better, as I found it easier to use. It’s nice and streamlined and has a modern appearance. The site attempts to mimic social networks like Facebook but falls short as it seems cluttered and messy.
The app’s user-friendly, free to download, and has additional features like proximity matching (which connects you with people in your area). So, I’d download the app if I were you, it’s well worth it.
Testimonials
“It’s been a whole year since I started using the app, and I wouldn’t change it for the world. I travel a lot, and I’m using the app to meet local girls and have some fun without consequences. So far, so good!”
–Anne, 27 US
“I joined Badoo a few weeks ago, and I didn’t meet anyone yet IRL, but I connected with a lot of people, and I spent at least a few hours a day just chatting with guys and girls.”
–Monika, 19 US
“Badoo introduced me to the love of my life! I was mostly interested in casual dating, but I hit it off with a wonderful girl, and we’ve been dating for ten months already! We’re moving in together, so wish me luck!”
–Samantha, 25 US
Design and Usability
As I mentioned, the site needs to be improved a bit. The profile dashboard appears crowded, and it took me a while to figure it all out. So, be ready to face a bit of a learning curve.
The app, on the other hand, is much better. It loads quickly, all the information is streamlined, and you can easily find all the features you need.
Costs and Prices: Is The Site Worth It?
Badoo and many of its features are free to use, which I found to be a rarity among similar sites. You do need to pay for Badoo Premium, however. The price varies by country, but it unlocks special features:
Special Features
- See who added you to their favorites and liked your profile
- Undo your votes in Encounters
- Browse the site while appearing offline to other users
- Contact the newest users
- Highlight your messages, and more
You can also purchase credits and unlock even more features. Again, the price depends on the country and the number of credits you buy. The most expensive option is around £2.30 for 100 credits, and the best option is around £30 for 2,750 credits.
Special Features That Make the Site Stand out
- Badoo Encounters
- Profile Scores
- Profile Visits
- Lookalike Matches
Badoo Encounters is a Tinder-like game for fast matching. You’ll see profile pictures of other members, and tap the heart icon to send them a Crush, or the X icon to skip them.
Profile scores are unique. Based on a user’s appearance, you can score their profile, and they can score yours. You’ll become more visible to other members with a higher score.
Profile visits let you know who’s viewed your profile. I found it very useful for exploring members I wouldn’t otherwise notice.
I really enjoyed the lookalike feature. It’s not bulletproof, but it’s fun to use. Mainly, you can browse through profiles by uploading a photo of a celebrity or a person you find attractive. The app will find members who look similar to the picture you’ve provided.
Communication Features That You Can Use
You have access to some of the basic communication features you’ll find on any other site, namely chatting and video calling.
Searching and Matching with Other Badoo Members
Matching with others on Badoo is simply a matter of what you and others find attractive. Profiles aren’t very detailed, so it’s all about appearances and profile scores. What you can do is upload great pictures and hope for the best. Being a Premium member will get you noticed, but it’s not a guarantee for more matches.
And when it comes to searching for other members, it’s pretty simple. You can search by gender, location, interests, or lookalikes, as previously mentioned.
Wondering How To Meet The Hottest Local Singles
If you want to find singles in your area, you can filter your searches based on their location. Again, look for verified accounts to avoid fake profiles.
Is Badoo Available in Countries Around the World?
Badoo is available in over 190 countries and almost 50 languages. The majority of users are from Europe and North America, but there are many members from India, Singapore, Australia, and more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a site to connect you with other lesbians, Badoo can help you along. It’s packed with numerous useful features, and although it has some shortcomings, it’s one of the better sites I’ve tried. It’s free to try, so you should give it a go.
FAQ
What’s Badoo all about?
Badoo is essentially a social media network and a dating site in one. The majority of the members are looking for a fling or casual relationship. It’s not designed for helping you find love, but you never know.
What are Badoo Secret Awards?
Secret Awards are badges that you receive for some of your accomplishments on Badoo. Examples would include a badge for getting the highest profile score, or for having the most conversations. Only you can see your secret awards.
What is Badoo Encounters in the list of features?
Badoo Encounters is a fun game that lets you quickly browse through other’s profiles. You’ll see their picture and basic info, and you hit the heart if you like them, or the X button if you don’t.
How can I find out who likes me on Badoo?
If you upgrade to Badoo Premium, you’ll see a folder on your profile, “Liked You.” Here, you can see those who were interested in you in Encounters.
Can I report violators of the Badoo Terms and Conditions?
If any member violates the terms and conditions, you can easily report them through the Feedback Page or by clicking on “Report User”.
