FirstMet
Registration
Matches
Profile

Our Review

FirstMet was first launch by Snap Interactive (now known as PeerStream) in 2007 under the name AreYouInterested (AYI). AYI was an exclusive dating website that catered to individuals who were looking for lifetime connections. The site re-branded in 2012 under a new name and a new outlook. From an exclusive dating site, it adapted several features and functions from popular social media site to make the user experience less strict and more fun. Today, FirstMet has around 30 million users around the globe, and although majority of its users are still looking for serious relationships, the site now freely welcomes members who are looking for friendship and casual dating.

New members at FirstMet in March 2024 in comparison

Here you can see how membership figures at FirstMet are developing compared to others

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FirstMet Members

Members
1,800,000 from Australia
Members activity
50,000 active weekly
Gender Proportion
45 %
55 %
  • Majority of the site's users are aged 35 and above
  • Over 200,000 unique site views from the US alone per month

According to Firstmet's website, the dating portal has over 30 million registered users from around the globe. More than half of the site's user base comes from the US, followed by the UK, Australia, Canada and India. Although the site has re-branded as a mainstream dating website, majority of its users are still older, with the largest share coming from the 35-50 and over 50 range.

How to Sign Up for FirstMet

Registration
  • Users can signup via email or Facebook
  • The registration process takes around 2-3 minutes
  • The site will import your photo and basic info if you choose to sign up via Facebook
  • It is not mandatory to upload a photo during signup
  • The site automatically detects your location

Firstmet's registration process is pretty straightforward and simple. Unlike other matchmaking sites, it doesn't bombard you with several pages of questions. You only need to provide basic information such as your name, email, location and date or birth. Once you're done, you can immediately start using the site as it doesn't require email verification.

Making Contact on FirstMet

Matches
  • No free search function
  • You can expand your matches by adjusting the age range and preferred distance
  • Click the check mark to express your interest, click the X mark to pass
  • You can skip profiles if you are undecided
  • There is a chatroom

Despite being a mainstream, serious dating site, FirstMet doesn't use the same free search options that its contemporaries do. Instead, they introduce recommended matches to their users, similar to how Tinder works. Instead of swiping left and right, you either click on the check mark if you are interested in someone, and the X mark if you're not. Each entry contains the picture of the person, their username, location and age. If this is not enough information, you can always click on their username to go to their full profile.

If you want to contact someone, you can send them icebreakers, which are questions that other members can choose answers to just to get the conversation started. You can answer icebreakers, but take note that free users can send and receive messages, including icebreakers.

FirstMet Profile Quality

Profile
  • Free users can see other users' pictures clearly
  • It is possible to look at other members' profiles as a free user
  • You can see detailed info like zodiac sign, political stance, religion and ethnicity
  • Users can choose their interests from a list provided by the site
  • Interests range from favourite movies to favourite activities
  • The profiles are quite detailed
  • The profile information can be changed later
  • Profile pictures are visible to everyone for free

It's easy to see that user interests are important to Firstmet. In fact, the entire right half of a person's profile is dedicated to interests. Instead of writing down your interests, you can choose from a long list of books, movies, activities, music and other points of interest. These become keywords by which other users can find you and connect with you.

It's great to note that you can view each user profile to its entirety as a free user. You can even see if the user is currently online, or if he/she is offline, you can see how long ago he/she was last online.

Upon reviewing several user comments on the website, it is apparent that fake profiles are everywhere, which is surprising as the site has a strict registration process. The website detects VPN usage and will immediately suspend any account that uses a VPN. FirstMet also automatically detects your location during signup via GPS and IP Address, and if you type in a different address on your profile, it counts as suspicious behaviour in the site's books. Even with all these, it seems that a lot of people have found loopholes in the system as there are a lot of fake profiles on the website.

FirstMet App

app
  • Same layout and functionality as the desktop version
  • Available for iOS and Android users
  • 1 million+ downloads on Google Play
  • App uses your phone's location services to detect your country and city

When it comes to features and looks, the app is a copycat of its desktop counterpart. That said, it is still a great addition, especially since the site is trying to expand its userbase and attract younger members. The app is user-friendly, which is a great thing for the app's older users. Although it doesn't offer anything new, it is a huge convenience for people who want to search for matches while on the go.

FirstMet Real Life Review

"I've been on several dating sites and apps, and one thing that I noticed about most of them is that they are geared more towards the younger generation. It's so confusing - with terms like swipe and ghost, I felt so out of place with these dating sites. Heck, I've even unknowingly subscribed to a couple of "perks" just because I didn't understand what things meant. When I found FirstMet, I was relieved - there were no weird gimmicks, money-making perks and weird terminology. I loved how most of the women I met were actually in my age range (although there were a couple of younger ones who asked for a green card). The site is very simple so even old folk like myself don't get lost. I finally found a site where I can just enjoy meeting people without unnecessary distractions."

- Male Director, 49

Design and Usability

Aesthetically, Firstmet's interface looks a bit outdated and boring. However, this is to be expected, as majority of he site's users are older. What the site lacks in design it does make up for in neatness. The menus, features and text are laid out in an organised manner to make browsing easy and accessible, even for folks who aren't tech-savvy.

FirstMet Costs and Prices

Free Features
  • Account registration
  • Profile creation
  • Search for matches
  • Video chat via Paltalk
Premium Features
  • Boost your profile
  • Allows others to read your messages on their inbox regardless of their status
  • Send and receive messages from other users
  • See who viewed your profile

Is FirstMet expensive or cheap?

In comparison to other providers FirstMet is in the upper midfield.

Duration / Credits / CoinsCostsTotal
Premium Membership
1 Month38.99 AUD / Month38.99 AUD
3 Months19.33 AUD / Month57.99 AUD
6 Months13.33 AUD / Month79.99 AUD
FirstMet AU Price
Payment Options
  • Credit Card
  • PayPal

On the subscription page, you can also opt in for a profile boost for a one-time fee of AUSD0.50 . With this profile boost, your profile will receive one day's worth of account activity in 5 minutes. New subscriptions will be charged an additional one-time fee of AUSD1.99 for the premium account activation.

Special Features

Compared to other mainstream dating sites, Firstmet is lacking when it comes to special features. However, the features that are available make the dating experience all the more fun and secure for all.

Icebreakers

Icebreakers are questions that the site will send to matches who meet your criteria. If they're interested, other members can answer these questions as a way to start a conversation with you.

Paltalk

Firstmet has partnered with the developers of Paltalk to provide video chatting for its users. If you want to be sure that your match is who they say they are, you can invite them to a video chat session complete with voice communication.

Our rating

Signing Up: 4.0 / 5
Making Contact: 2.5 / 5
Profile Quality: 3.5 / 5
App: 3.0 / 5
Real Life Review: 3.5 / 5

Editor's Conclusion

Datingscout.com.au Author Chris Pleines
Chris Pleines
Founder of Datingscout and Author of the book "Online Dating for Dummies"
Even after its re-branding, not everyone will appreciate FirstMet. The site doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles and it still has traces of the serious, exclusive dating site that AYI once was. However, this is good news for people who don't really care about games, virtual gifts and personality tests - the site allows you to focus on finding matches based on mutual interests. Considering that the site still attracts mainly older users, then maybe it's a good thing that the site isn't flashy and chooses to focus on what's important - human connections.

FirstMet FAQ

Facts

What is FirstMet?

Firstmet is a online matchmaker where singles can find dates and potential partners. The site caters more to serious daters, or those looking for a long-term relationship, although people looking for friends and casual dates are also allowed on the site.

When was FirstMet created?

FirstMet was first introduced in 2007 under the name AreYouInterested (AYI).

Who owns FirstMet?

FirstMet is owned by US-based company PeerStream

Where is the FirstMet headquarters?

The PeerStream headquarters is located in New York, USA.

What happened to AYI?

AYI was re-branded into FIrstMet. Whereas AYI was an exclusive dating site for serious singles looking for true love, FirstMet because more flexible and expanded their services to include people looking for hookups, casual dates and friendship.

Usability

How does FirstMet work?

Each user who signs up for a Firstmet account will have their own profiles. It's important to fill up your profile with your interests and likes for better matching accuracy. Firstmet will show you matches based on your preferences for distance and age range and you can choose potential matches according to how compatible they are to you.

Is FirstMet free?

Technically, yes. You can create an account and complete your profile for free. You also get matches at no additional cost. To send and receive message, you do have to upgrade your account to a paid subscription.

Is there a FirstMet app?

Yes, Firstmet has an app available for iOS and Android users.

Why can't I get past the FirstMet login page?

Firstmet has strict policies regarding fake profiles. If the site detects suspicious behaviour, you will be reverted back to the login screen and your account suspended.

Where is the FirstMet search function?

Firstmet doesn't have a search function; instead, it gives you recommended matches based on your set preferences.

How do I remove FirstMet from Facebook?

Just click your profile picture on the top right corner of the screen and go to account settings. On your profile settings, there's an option to unlink your Facebook account.

How do I contact FirstMet support?

The site has a contact form that you can fill out. Alternatively, you can also email them at help@firstmet.com.

Cancel

How do you cancel FirstMet subscriptions automated payments?

First click your profile picture on the top right corner of the screen, and then click Premium Account. Click on Cancel Auto-Renew to stop automatic renewals.

Security

Is FirstMet safe?

Firstmet has been around since 2007 and hasn't been involved in any security scandals, so it's safe to assume that it is safe. As a user, it is also your responsibility to keep yourself safe through small ways such as not giving out valuable information about yourself to strangers.

How do I block firstmet members who are harassing me?

You can block people via their profiles or even straight from the messaging feature itself. The site does advise its users to report all unwanted behaviour to customer support.

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Contact details

Company:PeerStream Inc.
E-Mail:help@firstmet.com
Address:122 E. 42nd Street, Suite 2600, New York, NY 10168