How we rate tools

What the score means

The FindLove score is a 0-10 editorial judgment. It is not a lab test, a lab ranking, or a user survey. We read the product, check what can be verified, and ask whether it helps someone get to a real date.

A high score means the product is clear about what it does and useful for the person it claims to serve. It does not mean it will work in every city, or that we ran a controlled trial.

What we look at

• Does it help people meet in real life. A writing aid that never gets you off the phone scores lower than a product that books or encourages an actual date.
• Model clarity. Swipe app, curated intro, writing aid, or photos. We score a tool against the job it actually does, not against a job it markets.
• Availability. City-limited, campus-only, waitlist, or global. A strong idea that you cannot use yet is not a 10.
• Proof we can verify. Official site, store listings, and reputable coverage. If a claim is not sourced, we mark it as not publicly confirmed.
• Limits and risks. Fake profiles, pay-to-play lock-in, over-automated chat, and privacy tradeoffs all pull a score down.

What we do not do

• No paid #1. Placement and score are editorial. We do not sell the top slot.
• No invented user counts. If a company does not publish a number we can check, we do not invent one.
• Commission never sets the score. Some links may earn a commission. That never decides the number on the card.

How often scores change

We update a score when the product changes, when availability changes, or when new evidence shows up. We do not refresh numbers on a calendar for the sake of looking busy.

How to use this site

1. 01 Start with the Finder if you are not sure which category you need.
2. 02 Pick one or two tools. More than that usually means more swiping, not more dates.
3. 03 Use the tool to get to a real meeting. The score is a filter, not a substitute for showing up.