With several Jewish dating apps [/jewish-dating-sites-and-apps/] out there, it makes sense to do a little research before investing your time and energy on another one. This Loop dating app review will help you decide if it’s worth the download! Our team of experts has been navigating modern dating since 2009. We’ve spent thousands and thousands of hours using all the most popular apps and sites on behalf of the clients we represent, and we’ve written hundreds of reviews based on that experience. WHAT IS LOOP & WHO’S USING IT? Launched in May of 2023, Loop [https://www.loopmein.me/] is a dating app with a twist: you can join it as a single looking for love, or create an account to play matchmaker for your friends. Lian Zucker, her younger brother Adam Zucker, and Moriya Blumenfeld created Loop as a way to blend age-old traditions with modern technology. The concept draws inspiration from the long-standing Jewish practice of using matchmakers to help people find their life partners [/jewish-matchmaker/]. In conversations with New York Jewish Week, Zucker shed light on their mission: > "Loop is bringing traditional Jewish wisdom to the world at large. We're bringing this 1,000-plus year-old tradition and giving it a digital facelift." During the interview Zucker went on to say that they believe Loop has a universal appeal. > “We are not building for any type of specific demographic, whether that's religious or cultural, or for a specific gender orientation, or really anything else." Zucker noted that while Loop isn’t a faith-based app per se, it has gained significant traction within the Jewish community. THE PROS & CONS OF TRYING THIS MATCHMAKING APP Thanks to the Loop’s unique format, it’s not an equivalent experience to using an app like Hinge [/hinge-guide/], Tinder [/tinder-guide/], or Bumble [/bumble-guide/]. That means it comes with a slightly different set of considerations, advantages, and disadvantages. Pros * Free to set-up a profile, receive and recommend matches. * The format makes it easy to “expand your loop” by inviting people you know and having them suggest potential matches from their own networks. * All the profiles you see have at least one degree of connection to someone from within your social network, which can drastically cut down on the fakes & flakes that tend to plague regular dating apps. * The app is available for download on both iOS [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/loop-the-matchmaking-app/id6446096597] and through Google Play [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.loopmein.app&hl=en_US]. Cons * For now, most users are in New York but it’s slowly spreading to other major cities. * Matchmakers can’t message singles that aren’t in their Loop, which can be a drawback if you're trying to get to know someone better to set them up. * It’s not like a mainstream dating app, where you can scroll through all the singles who fit your criteria in your area. Now, let’s take a look at what some real users thought of their experience. REAL LOOP USER REVIEWS Loop has a 4.3 out of 5 star [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/loop-the-matchmaking-app/id6446096597] App Store rating. On the positive side, several Loop reviewers appreciated the ability to set up friends: On the opposite side of the spectrum, other Loop users gave the app a low rating due to chat and messaging functionality: Loop has a 3.1 rating [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.loopmein.app&hl=en_US] on Google Play. Reviews followed a similar pattern as they did on the App Store, with some users pointing out glitches that caused frustration: This user gave Loop 5 stars and has enjoyed matching friends on the app: Other positive reviews were simple and straightforward: OUR LOOP APP REVIEW VERDICT If you’re tired of the typical dating app format, Loop might be a refreshing alternative. But in this case, it’s all about who you know - and who they know. While the app makes it easy to get your tech-savvy friends and family involved in your search for love, it also adds a layer of complexity to the process. But as one Loop user pointed out in an interview, many people are actively looking for ways to set up their friends [https://www.jta.org/2023/07/19/ny/why-jews-are-flocking-to-loop-a-new-dating-app-where-users-do-the-matchmaking], and this makes it a lot easier. As she explained, > “...it was a no-brainer for me to download it and send it to all the friends of mine who had been saying, “Oh, do you know anyone to set me up?’ It really helps because you see all of your friends in one place that you might have not thought of.” HOW LOOP WORKS Users can join as singles looking for love or as matchmakers eager to help their friends find someone special. This approach taps into a time-honored tradition of meeting potential partners through trusted networks. By involving friends, family, and the community at large in the matchmaking process, Loop seeks to address a common concern in online dating - trust. As Zucker put it [https://www.globaldatinginsights.com/news/loop-dating-app-launches-at-harvard-business-school/], > "When you talk to someone who has successfully set their friend up, they won't shut up about it. It's because it's the best thing you can do. And it makes them feel good." The platform works differently from typical dating apps. While you still create a profile, you won’t be swiping through endless options. Instead, you form a "Loop" by connecting with anyone in your contact list who is also on the app. Once a Loop is open, you can then check out that person’s Loops. As you’re scrolling through their friends and contacts, if you’re interested you can then ask that person to facilitate a connection. Both halves of a potential match have to express interest before the connection occurs. Once your profile is set up, you can invite friends using various methods: a QR code, a link, or through social media. There's also an option to import your contacts, with Loop highlighting any existing users among your friends. Those who sign up as matchmakers follow a similar process. While setting up their profile they’ll describe themselves and their preferences, then build their network by inviting people they know. This expands their "Loop" and allows them to make personalized introductions for friends. You won't be able to see singles in the area until you either invite friends to the app or upload contacts from your device and connect. Anyone that’s available on the app wanting to get matched in the area you specified is listed on the “Your Loop” tab. At the bottom of the screen, click on the two overlapping heads to access “Your Loop.” You’ll find any matches your friends have recommended for you or ones you recommend for others on the “Set Ups” tab. To get to “Set Ups” click the icon that has two circles overlapping each other at the bottom of your homepage. SETTING UP YOUR PROFILE Getting started with Loop is a straightforward process. After downloading the app, you'll use your phone number and a verification code to create your account. The first step is deciding how you want to use the platform. You can choose to receive matches, set up friends, or both. Next, you'll go through a quick, interactive tutorial that explains how the app works. This helps you get familiar with its features and functions. If you need a refresher you can access the tutorial at any point by going to your profile and clicking “How it works.” Then it’s time to create your profile, which is similar to other dating apps. You'll upload 3 profile photos and complete an "About You" section with basic information like gender, location, and ethnicity. There are also pre-populated questions for you to list details about your family status, future family plans, political views, and religious beliefs. When it comes to location, Loop takes a different approach. Instead of using GPS, you simply type in the city and state where you spend most of your time. One thing to note: if you decide to list your occupation, you're also required to provide your place of employment. If you're not comfortable sharing this information, you might want to leave this section blank, as it's not mandatory. In the “Introduce Yourself” you’ll write a short bio about who you are, your hobbies, and interests to show off your unique personality. The final step for those who want to be matched is completing the "Get Set Up With..." section. Here, you'll specify what you're looking for in a potential match. You can set preferences for age range, location, gender, religion, and family status, among other things. And that's it! You're up and running. AN EASIER WAY TO MEET QUALITY SINGLES While leaning on your friends for introductions is a tried-and-true way to meet someone, it may take awhile. If you’re ready to meet your ideal partner now, the modern matchmakers at VIDA Select make dating even easier. No need to worry about your profile, screening your matches, or sending messages - because you’ll have a team of seasoned experts handling it all for you. Since 2009, VIDA has helped thousands of singles find love - and you could be our next success story. Find out how it all works here! 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