1 Why am I getting matches outside of my preferences?

If you have received a match that is outside your current Match Preferences, this is most likely a Flex Match. Flex matches are created when anything other than “Very Important” is selected under your Importance setting.

With Flex Matches, we occasionally expand the Match Selection criteria which you indicated are least important to you. If you do not wish to receive Flex Matches, or would like to adjust the Flex Matches you are receiving:

1. Log into your eReal Hook Up account
2. Click the dropdown on your profile
3. Click the “Match Preferences” link
4. Click the settings tile that you would like to update


This feature often allows us to find you a greater number of compatible matches, and so from time to time, if no matches can be found for you, we will employ Flex Matching. We encourage you to communicate with all of your matches, including those that may be outside your comfort zone as you never know who that special someone may be. Keep in mind that we never will relax or compromise the compatibility portion of the matching—but selecting Very Important on a particular setting will also ensure that your match settings are rigidly adhered to. If you receive a match that doesn’t fall within your match settings or you don’t feel a connection with, we suggest that you close them out and continue on with your search.

2 Is Online Dating Safe?

Like with most sites online, dating sites are also an easy target for money scammers and identity thieves, and require taking precaution. In general, it’s highly advised not to share too much personal information online. This especially goes for Online dating, since a lot of personal information is gathered by these sites. The best advice is to use common sense – if someone asks for your home address immediately, consider that a red light. You should really talk to a person more than once before giving out that kind of info. Also, watch for odd languages as many scammers come from abroad. Listen to experts, such as; dating authors, bloggers and other users who elaborate on these matters. They might know something you don’t. Don’t let that scare you as many dating sites are legit and guard your personal information like hawks. You can never be too cautious, though.

3 Do Dating Sites Work?

Dating sites work for those who want them to work. In other words, people who invest time and effort in making their dating world a success; use quality pictures, up to date profiles and actually go out on dates. It’s a pretty simple formula. However, if you just sit there and spend all of your time browsing through profiles and avoiding contact with other users, nothing beneficial is going to happen. Dating sites don’t always guarantee success, but can be useful for great practice for when Mr. or Mrs. Right come along. There’s no harm in using dating sites, as more and more online dating stories lead to love and marriage and you really never know where you’ll eventually find yours. It might happen in one date, it might happen in a hundred. One thing to consider with dating sites is having patience and not losing hope too soon. If your an online dating first timer and wish to master your online profile and increase your dating potential.

4What should I do if no one is responding to my profile?

Modify it, quick. Most sites keep track of not only when members actively check out the site, but also of when a particular profile is modified. On some sites you’ll notice that, while you’re searching, it might say “profile modified October 15, 2007”. You’re more apt to check out a profile that feels new, aren’t you?

But don’t just change your profile for the sake of change. Read it out loud, look for potential areas where you could maybe improve it. In particular, look at the “essay” sections… are you looking for someone too specific? Do you sound needy, or arrogant, or downright annoying? Fix that. If you can, get someone you trust to check it out and make suggestions

5 How Do I Know Which Dating Site is Best For Me?

There are plenty of dating sites out there, and joining them all is quite a daunting and useless task. Online dating isn’t less confusing than the real world, however requires less physical effort. In order to choose the best site for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions; what kind of a relationship are you looking for, meaning, age range, men or women, casual or serious. You also need to consider how much effort you are willing to put in meeting new people. Some dating sites put a lot of emphasis on visuals when others offer elaborative profiles as well. Most sites target specific niches which might help you focus your dating search; senior dating, religion based dating sites, same sex dating. Other sites target all at once. Comparison sites are highly advised when you are a first timer and have no clue which dating sites to subscribe to. Comparison sites also offer success stories and user rating. It’s easier to believe your fellow users.