Online Dating Ratings
Features
16.5/20
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Credibility
16.5/20
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Safety
7.5/10
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Ease of Use
8/10
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Pricing
7.5/10
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Overall Grade:
79%

Ashley Madison takes online dating to a whole new level, serving a section of the market that is usually not addressed by other dating sites. Ashley Madison caters to the married adult who desires to have an affair. The site is geared toward attached adults looking for discreet relationships.
 
You don’t have to be married or attached to sign up on this web site, but this is true of the largest portion of its members. AshleyMadison was established in 2001 and recognizes a member list numbering six million.
Features
Features

Ashley Madison caters to the follow types of relationships:

  • Discreet
  • Married
  • Short-term
  • Long-term
  • Cyber affair
  • Erotic chat

Ashley Madison services the U.S., Canada and the U.K.


Search Functionality/Options:

  • You have the great option of searching by keyword

  • There are 10 different ways to search, including by distance

  • You have a button that presents you with the option to enable a phone chat

  • You have the option of what they call a “boss” button that switches your computer screen instantly to a generic office screen layout if someone comes up behind you at work and you don’t want them to see the screen you were looking at. Another panic button can quickly switch to a movie trailer screen on your computer

  • You have a handy reference tool on the web site that will aid you if you are new to instant messaging (IM). This dictionary provides you with an acronym listing with meanings for IM usage

  • Choose to be notified when someone in your area becomes a member or when a favorite person logs on. Free search options let you find results up to 20 miles from your location

  • AshleyMadison also offers advice, not on how to cheat, but how to get the most from their web site


Member Interactivity:

  • Instant Messaging
  • Email
  • Instant telephone connection
  • Winks
  • Priority Mail
  • Personal Ads
  • Photos, a limited amount

Credibility
Credibility

Established in 2001, AshleyMadison has approximately six million registered members.

Safety
Safety

AshleyMadison is serious about discretion. The process for creating a profile on the site is simple, with fewer questions asked than most other sites. However, fewer details can also mean less information about the person signing up on the web site. As such, AshleyMadison warns members against people contacting them without having any genuine interest in a relationship. Be on guard for this, as you might with other dating web sites. Also, there are fewer photos displayed on the AshleyMadison web site to ensure more privacy.

Ease of Use
Ease of Use

Ashley Madison may not have the most professional-looking site, but it runs well. It is functional and serves the intended purpose for which it was designed.

Pricing
Pricing

  • Initial sign-up is free with Ashley Madison, and then it functions on a pay-as-you-go cost structure. For $49.00, you receive 100 credits, for $149.00, you receive 500 credits, and for $249.00, you receive 1000 credits—different services use differing amount of credits, so you choose which options you want to purchase. For example, emails can be sent for 5 credits, while instant messaging (IM) starts at 10 credits.

  •  AshleyMadison is aware that with this type of dating site and the services offered, you may not want the name, Ashley Madison.com, showing up on your credit card bill. The site also accepts cashiers checks, electronic checks, Western Union payments, and international money orders.

  • AshleyMadison does offer a free trial membership, where you may send and receive photos and winks, and reply to a member with full membership privileges. Refunds are solely at the discretion of Ashley Madison.