Dating advice for UK singles, without the fluff
Whether you are new to online dating or coming back after years away, these guides cover the practical things: staying safe, writing a profile that sounds like you, and having a good first date.
What this site is for
Dating has changed a lot. Most people now meet through a phone screen at some point, and that brings real upsides and a few real risks. A Match is a set of plain-English guides for people in the UK who want to date well and stay safe. There are no rankings of apps, no sales pitches and no pressure.
If you only read one thing, make it the guide to online dating safety. It covers the habits that protect you before you have even met someone: what to keep private, how to check a person is real and how to arrange a first meeting.
Start where you are
- New to online dating? Begin with how matching apps work, then write a dating profile that gives people something to talk about.
- Worried about scams? Read how to spot a romance scam. Romance fraud is common in the UK and the warning signs are very consistent.
- Got a date coming up? See our first date ideas for places that suit nervous people, shy people and people on a budget.
- Starting again? There are separate guides for dating after divorce and dating in later life, because the questions are different.
- Stuck on what to say? The first message tips page has simple openers that get replies.
Our approach
We think good dating advice should be honest about what it cannot promise. No guide can guarantee you will meet someone, and anyone who says otherwise is selling something. What we can do is help you avoid the common mistakes: oversharing too soon, writing a profile that says nothing, ignoring a bad feeling, or sending money to someone you have never met.
We do not rank or recommend dating apps or websites. The right one depends on your age, where you live and what you want, and any list would date quickly. Instead we explain how they work in general, so you can judge any service yourself.
Three rules that cover most of it
- Keep conversations on the platform until you trust the person. Moving to private messaging early is a common step in scams, and it removes the safety tools the service gives you.
- Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Not for an emergency, a flight, a medical bill or an investment. Real partners do not ask this of strangers.
- Tell a friend where you are going. For every first meeting, in a public place, share the person's name, the place and the time, and check in afterwards.
Dating at any stage
People date at 18, at 38 and at 78, and the best advice differs. A divorcee in their forties may be thinking about children, finances and how to introduce someone to a family. Someone widowed in their seventies may want company without moving in together. We try to write for all of these, without assuming that everyone wants the same thing.
It is also fine to take breaks. Dating fatigue is real, and stepping away for a few weeks does not mean you have failed. Delete the app, see friends, come back when you feel like it.
If something goes wrong
If you think you have been targeted by a fraudster, stop contact, keep the messages and report it. Our romance scams guide explains who to tell. If you ever feel unsafe in person, leave and call 999. You do not need to be polite to someone who is making you uncomfortable.
Questions or corrections are welcome through the contact page.
Dating is a skill you can practise
Nobody is born knowing how to write a profile, start a chat or end a date kindly. These things get easier with practice, and a little preparation goes a long way. Before you start, spend ten minutes thinking about what you want: a long-term partner, company, or simply to enjoy meeting new people. Write it down. It makes your profile more honest and helps you recognise a good match when you meet one.
Look after yourself while you date
Dating can be tiring. Unanswered messages, cancelled plans and awkward evenings are part of it, and they say little about your worth. Set limits that suit you: perhaps one date a week, or a set time each evening for messages. Keep up friendships and hobbies so dating is one part of your life, not all of it. If it starts to make you low or anxious, take a break, and talk to a friend, your GP or a support service if you need to.
Be a good date as well as a safe one
Be on time, put your phone away, ask questions and listen to the answers. Be honest if you do not feel a spark, and say so kindly and promptly rather than disappearing. Respect boundaries, accept a no and expect the same in return. Good manners are attractive and cost nothing.
Frequently asked questions
Is online dating safe in the UK?
It can be, if you take sensible precautions: keep early chat on the platform, never send money, meet in public and tell a friend. Most people have no problems, but scams and fake profiles exist.
Do you recommend a dating app?
No. We explain how apps work in general so you can choose for yourself, but we do not rank or promote any brand.
Is this site free?
Yes. There is nothing to buy and no sign-up.