Ashley Madison is a Canadian online dating platform with a catchy name that may ring a bell if you have any experience in the world of popular dating sites. In essence, it’s a quick hookup site for people who are married, in exclusive relationships or seeking extramarital affairs. As such, it is one of the top most discrete and effective online dating services for both married people and single people.
It’s easy to understand their philosophy by taking a look at the slogan – Life is Short, Have an Affair. Does this message of having affairs with people resonate with you? If so, Ashley Madison’s is one of the best online dating sites to visit without worrying about judgment by people on general dating sites.
If you’d like to learn more about this Canadian online dating site with an active user base, you’re in luck. Today, we will take an in-depth look at all services Ashley Madison has to offer as one of the most popular alternative affair dating sites.
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Ashley Madison Review
Ashley Madison is a non-traditional dating website that draws the attention of women and men all over the world. It’s become infamous for helping people cheat on their partners who are in no-strings-attached relationships as well as committed relationships.
Still, that hasn’t stopped it from reaching the level of success it boasts today. Quite the opposite, with a membership base of over 50 million users, it’s one of the most popular websites of its kind for adult hookup websites.
You may have heard of its data breach in 2015, which discouraged you from using it. However, the team behind the website worked on expanding its security since, making sure it never happens again. We’ll mention a thing or two about the current security regulations below. Let’s take a look at everything the site has to offer.
The Basics
Ashley Madison is no different than other dating sites in terms of functionality. Using it is as simple as signing up, creating your profile, and browsing through members.
Your profile doesn’t have to be very detailed on Ashley Madison, which is a bonus when it comes to being discreet. However, that means that your success will depend on your communication skills.
Due to its large customer base, it’s quick and easy to find a match. Especially if you live in a big city, the process will take mere minutes.
The Profiles
When you create your profile for Ashley Madison, the only necessary information for you to submit are:
- a username
- a password
- email addresses
- birth date
- where you live
- your marital status
Then, you may add various details and make them public or private. You can add a profile picture and you may also add up to 13 private photos or public photos per profile. You can fill out your About Me, and Activities sections to let people get to know you better before they match you.
Another useful feature is called ‘About My Match’, where you describe your perfect partner and share your personal experiences. This is how the people browsing your profile can get a clearer picture of whether they should start a conversation, or if that would be a waste of time. Don’t worry, with their huge membership base, you are sure to get plenty of bites, especially if you’re a female user.
You might choose to keep your profile anonymous on Ashley Maddison dating app, which is what many married couples in extramarital relationships tend to do more than single people. Regardless of relationship status, their security features help make sure that your messages from women or men are more likely to be contacts from real people and not fake profiles.
Ashley Madison Website Features
Many features make this dating site spicier than most, while others make you feel at home using the principles of dating sites. The communication tools are many – sending a message, visiting a chatroom, and sending flirts and gifts are all part of this online experience.
You will also find a setting called Priority Messaging. It allows your message to always be the first shown in the inbox of the member you’re chatting with. The Quick Reply option offers short messages to send when you’re in a hurry.
If you travel a lot, you’ll love the Traveling Man feature. It allows you to find people nearby in no time. If you combine it with the Golden Status, your chances further improve, as your profile will be featured on top of the lists.
When it comes to getting notifications, there are two options to add to the discretion of the site. You may get messages on your phone, or via email through desktop versions.
Of course, for the more extravagant, premium features, you will need to pull out your debit cards, or gift cards, and get purchasing credits for that premium membership.
Demographics
The most prominent group of people using Ashley Madison are Americans, making up almost 50% of the overall demographics. Moreover, you’re most likely to find women aged 20 to 29 and men from 35 to 55. there are plenty of female profiles, and some fake women profiles, of course, but there are lots of real women as well.
Besides the US, the user demographics per country are as follows:
- Brazil – around 15%
- Canada – approximately 10%
- Spain and the UK – around 5% each
The ratio of men and women on the website is about equal. Plus, even though the site focuses on people already dating or married, you’ll also find plenty of singles looking to have fun.
Pricing
Ashley Madison features a quite cunning pricing system. You see, women seeking men have to pay neither for the registration nor for the services. Everybody looking to meet women has to pay.
The website took up this approach to attract an equal ratio of males and females. While many complain about this, calling it sexist and unfair, Ashley Madison boasts an incredible success rate using it.
If you’re not sure about the services, you may log in as a guest first. However, you need to pay to interact with female users. The payment options include the basic packages, classic, and elite plans. All three allow interaction, but pricier ones bring extra perks. These memberships will auto-renew.
Besides buying an entire plan in bulk, you may purchase credits separately. For example, since you pay only for the initial message, you could get credits only for one chat. In that case, though, be sure the girl you’re texting is the right one!
Extra Paid Features
With a premium account, you get access to all the main functionalities of the site. However, to further spice things up, Ashley Madison offers additional paid features.
- The Golden Account. With it, you will not only be able to interact with women but you will be rated third in their search results. What this implies is more views, more messages, and more success.
- If you travel a lot, you’ll love the Traveling Man feature. It allows you to find people nearby in no time. If you combine it with the Golden Status, your chances further improve, as your profile will be featured on top of the lists.
- Another User Begins Communication. This choice lets girls know that they should text you first, showing everyone that those who use it are brimming with confidence.
The Ashley Madison Dating App
As any self-respecting dating site, Ashley Madison also features a mobile app. Unfortunately, its quality doesn’t come close to that of the website. It’s a simplified version with many glitches.
However, as most of us are often on the go, it’s a useful thing to have. The app is available for Android and Apple users and features most of the basic functionalities. Also, and most importantly, it protects your information the same way the website does.
Security
Both privacy and security are primary concerns of Ashley Madison. Besides the lengths they go to keep their website safe, there are several ways in which they help protect user profiles.
When you’re creating an account, the password analyzer will help you create a secure password to safeguard against getting hacked. The site also advises you not to use the password you use on other websites.
Furthermore, all payments are anonymous and can’t be traced back to you. No matter what payment method you select, your information is safe.
Ashley Madison Review: In a Nutshell
Having read all this, you may still be unsure whether this service is for you. So, let’s reiterate.
Pros
- Ease of use – the site is straightforward and will get you what you’re searching for.
- The price – the site is quite affordable and maintains stable pricing.
- Search by city feature – super convenient for those looking to meet girls on the go.
- Search by ZIP code feature – if you’re a stay-at-home person, you may find a fling in your town.
- The reputation – even though it suffered through a massive breach, Ashley Madison maintains a high-quality reputation.
- The renewed security – the new protocols ensure superb protection.
Cons
- The 2015 breach – although they promise security now, it will take time for Ashley Madison to return to its former reputation.
- Scams on the platform – the site does its best to detect suspicious activity, but there are still scammers.
- The payment system is complicated – there’s no set monthly subscription and payment will auto-renew.
Paid vs. Free Membership Options
For the ladies on the website, there is no difference between the free and paid membership options. However, guys looking to hook up will have to pay to initiate conversations and take advantage of the site’s features.
Our Verdict
As we said at the beginning of this Ashley Madison review, this service is not your average dating site. Still, it’s one of the best places on the web for extramarital desires. It helps you avoid the guilt that comes with looking for an affair on traditional dating sites, too.
Overall, Ashley Madison offers all the functionalities you’d expect from a dating site. With it, you’ll also find the discretion necessary for extramarital companionship. With its massive user base, you’ll likely find what you’re seeking, and more quickly than you’d expect.
