Real Badoo reviews present conflicting views about this major dating platform, which leads prospective members to question the platform’s true nature. People wonder if Badoo functions as a genuine site for building meaningful relationships. Or as a hookup app with potential scam risks underneath its modern design and broad user base.
This review gives an in-depth examination of Badoo features along with safety protocols, user experiences and success statistics to aid your decision-making process.
In-depth reviews: What is Badoo?
Badoo is a dating app and social network hybrid where people can connect for all sorts of reasons, from casual dating to friendship. It was launched in 2006 and it has become one of the largest dating platforms with over 500 million users.
Badoo offers some of the following key features.
- Messaging before matching. Unlike Tinder, Badoo allows for the user to reach out to a potential partner, before reaching a mutual match.
- People nearby. This feature allows users to connect with people that they have crossed paths with in real life.
- Encounters. This is a swiping feature for rating profiles. It allows users to swipe through other people’s profiles who have similar interests.
- Selfie request. Women can ask men they’re chatting with to send them a selfie to confirm their identity and avoid being catfished.
What age group is Badoo for?
Badoo online dating platform is designed for 18+ adults. It appeals to users between the ages of 18 and 35. Its user-friendly interface, gamified features such as swiping, and the feature to meet people nearby attract this younger demographic.
Is Badoo just for hooking up?
Badoo has features that make it possible to have casual encounters. However, Badoo is not just a hookup app with users whose intentions are diverse. People looking to make casual connections and build serious relationships are all over the app.
This mixed-use environment is a result of Badoo’s design, which combines social networking features with dating.
Is Badoo free to use?
Badoo works as a free dating website where users can upload their profiles, swipe their matches and send messages at no cost.
But to use features like seeing who’s checked out your profile or send messages to people whom you are not matched with. You will need paid credits or a Badoo Premium subscription.
For hookups or heartfelt connections, we tell the full story here. Be aware of your kids’ use.
How to use Badoo app?
It is easy to get started with Badoo. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to download and install the Badoo app, how to set up your profile, and how to connect with others.
1. Free download and install the Badoo app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
2. Create a Badoo account and sign up. You have the option to sign up using your email, phone number, Facebook, or Google account.
- Fill in the basic details, such as your name, age, gender, and location, to continue the Badoo registration process.
3. Set up your profile, covering photos, a short biographical description, and dating preferences like age range and relationship type.
4. Start Matching & Messaging
- Find potential matches using the Encounters (swipe feature).
- Get nearby users based on their location.
- Communicate with matches and verified profiles to have a more secure experience.
How to delete a Badoo account?
Signing up on Badoo is simple, however, deleting your account seems a bit more difficult. Some reviews complain about the unclear process, and others say Badoo tries to convince them to stay by offering other options.
Nevertheless, if you choose to take down your Badoo account permanently, this is how to do it.
- Log into your Badoo account. Get to the Settings.
- Tap on Account. You will find the option to “Delete account“ at the bottom.
- From there, Badoo will present alternatives; choose what you want. Tapping “Continue” will confirm your decision. You might have to confirm your choice again and give a reason for leaving.
- After that, you will receive a notice of confirmation for the successful deletion of your Badoo profile.
Once you delete your account, it will be frozen for 28 days, so you can recover it if you change your mind afterward.
What is the difference between Badoo and Tinder?
Both Badoo and Tinder are well-known dating apps, but they are meant for different audiences and have distinct features. Below we will compare Badoo vs Tinder on the basis of different aspects.
1. Usability and Sign-Up Process
- Tinder is easy to sign up for, especially if you link your Facebook account, as they can use your profile to set up your Tinder profile.
- The signup process on Badoo is simple but you have to manually input basic information even if you connect your Facebook account.
2. Matching Mechanism
- The physical appearance of Tinder is the primary basis for matches. When you like someone, and he likes you as well, then it’s a match.
- On Badoo, your personality and character are involved in choosing matches. Badoo also features ‘Lookalikes’ which help it find users that look like the celebrities you find attractive.
3. Free vs. Paid Features
- Badoo offers more free features, such as basic messaging and the ability to know who visited your profile. Generally speaking, Badoo’s premium plans are cheaper than Tinder’s.
- Tinder Offers fewer free features. However, it does provide Tinder Plus and Tinder Gold with premium features like unlimited likes, rewind, boost, etc.
Tinder would be a better option if you want something easy and quick to sign up for and join a large pool of users. If you are more in favour of more free features, personality-based matching and better security, then Badoo could be your choice.
What Badoo reviews say: Is it a safe dating app?
Based on the Badoo reviews on Reddit, Google Play, etc., it is clear that Badoo has some potential risks, even it is committed to user safety and has implemented the following safety measures.
- Photo verification. Users need to take a selfie mimicking a random pose to check if it is a fake profile.
- Deception detector. AI helps Badoo identify and block fake, spam or scam profiles so that the users can connect with genuine individuals.
- Screenshot block. It protects users’ privacy since this feature prevents others from taking screenshots of chats or saving images and recordings.
- Block & report. You can block and report anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Despite these, some bad reviews have revealed a whole lot of fake profiles on the app. Other problems include credit card, phone number problems, and even insults and remarks about women abuse. Users are advised to be very careful and take their safety and privacy seriously.
In 2024, there was a class action lawsuit regarding Badoo verification features allegedly violating the plaintiffs’ biometric privacy. Even after Bumble Inc. paid $40, million and changed its business practices, the incident brought to light possible problems.
Is Badoo legit or a scam?
Badoo is a legit dating platform since 2006 and is a member of the same group that owns Bumble. Most users’ reviews, however, complain about fake profiles, paywalls and aggressive monetization strategies.
Badoo itself is not a scam, but users should be careful about potential fraudsters and not send money or share personal information.
Is Badoo anonymous?
Badoo provides a medium level of anonymity. It lets the users browse profiles and send messages without divulging their full identity right away. Nevertheless, there are features such as the People Nearby and live streams that could expose your location or activity to other people.
Badoo offers those looking for more anonymity the option of hiding their profiles or limiting your profile visibility. But there is no full account anonymity.
[Extra] How to keep kids safe from adult dating app?
Users 18 and older are the target demographic for dating apps like Badoo. However, tech-savvy teens will still manage to get on these apps. Parents and guardians are becoming more concerned than ever about children’s safety. Ensuring a secure online environment for them has become a priority.
Below are some tips on how to keep your children protected.
- Encourage open dialogue. Build an atmosphere in which your child feels comfortable to talk about their digital life. Be it relationships or issues they have in their online space.
- Discuss healthy relationships. Describe what healthy relationships will look like online and offline.
- Establish firm rules. Make sure to ban minors from using dating apps created for adults. Apply this rule strictly in your household.
- Monitor social media. As teens may join social media to meet potential interests, help teens set the best privacy settings for all platforms.
- Using a parental control tool. Another great help for parents is parental control apps, which provide more features to monitor children’s activities more effectively. One of most reliable and powerful app is FlashGet Kids, which assists parents in protecting their children from inappropriate content on dating apps like Badoo.
Features offered by FlashGet Kids app include:
- Screen mirroring: It allows you to view your child’s app remotely and see what they are doing online.
- App blocker: It allows you to block access to certain apps on your kids’ phones.
- Screen time limits: It helps you to set a daily or weekly time limit for apps to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline time.
- Keyword detection: It alerts you when particular keywords or phrases are used in your child’s messages or online searches to help you detect possible risks.
With FlashGet Kids’ monitoring tools, setting boundaries, and open talks, you can keep your child safe from adult dating apps such as Badoo.
Takeaways
Our detailed reviews on the Badoo dating app present an all-around perception. It caters to various users, from those who are just looking for casual hookups to those who are looking for a more serious relationship.
The app is a dynamic platform to meet new people with features such as profile verification, live streaming, and location-based matching.
Nevertheless, fake profiles and scams are issues to be mindful of. Again, it’s clear this is not for underage users. Whether Badoo is right for you or not is based on your dating goals and comfort level with the features Badoo offers.
FAQs
Badoo is most used by young adults aged 18 to 35 looking for casual dating, friendship, or relationship. It has a very strong global presence with high levels of user activity in Europe, Latin America and Asia.
Badoo user reviews indicate that fake profiles are a common occurrence on the app, but Badoo fights this with photo and video verification. Nevertheless, some users still encounter bots and scammers.
Badoo does not provide full anonymity. By default, users’ profiles, photos, location, and online status are visible. Premium features like Private Mode enable greater privacy since no one can see your profile except people you’ve liked.
Badoo app reviews are mixed. Its large user base and various interactive features are praised in positive reviews, while in negative ones, fake profiles, paywalls, and safety issues are mentioned.
