Frequently Asked Questions

General Help & Getting Started
Profile Help
Photo Help
Search Help
Contacting Other members

General Help & Getting Started

How does the Cupid.co.za work?

South Africa's favourite on-line meeting place for singles makes finding a match made in heaven as easy as 1...2...3...

Step 1: Sign-up as a member � it's simple, fast and FREE

Access our 'members-only' features within minutes by completing the New Member Registration.

Step 2: Create your profile

Tell us more about yourself, upload photos and describe the type of person and relationship you are looking for.

Step 3: Find your match

Get ready for friendship and fun... Use our powerful search options to view member profiles and when you find someone who interests you send a message to their username via the site. The message is sent to their email address from your username - your real name and email address are never shown. Remember that other members can view your profile and you�re likely to receive messages from other members in your email inbox. These messages will be from their username and not their real email address, protecting both your and their privacy. When you are ready you may choose to tell the other member your real contact details.

What is the difference between a member and a subscriber?

Everyone who sets up a profile is a member. As a member you can use every feature of the site and can always receive anonymous email through the site. All new members receive THREE MONTHS FREE SUBSCRIPTION ACCESS, allowing them to send anonymous emails through the site.

When this three months free subscriber access expires members need to become PAYING SUBSCRIBERS in order to continue sending anonymous emails through the site.

Is it free, or is there a catch?

Becoming a member is always free. As a member you can use every feature on the site and can always receive anonymous email through the site. Sending emails through the site is free for the FIRST THREE MONTHS of your subscription � NO CATCHES! However, when your three months free subscription expires you will need to become a PAYING SUBSCRIBER in order to continue SENDING anonymous emails.

Why can't I send messages?

Your three months free subscription may have expired, to continue sending messages you will need to become a paying subscriber.

Is my privacy respected?

Respecting your right to privacy is one of our fundamental premises! We will never give your details to other members or use your details for any purpose without your permission. For full details please review our privacy policy.

Is the content censored?

We're not here to police our members but we do reserve the right to hide, delete or modify unacceptable profiles that:

Contain contact information such as email addresses, ICQ numbers, Telephone numbers, addresses, etc.
Are illegal, e.g. under 18 years of age or solicit contact from people under 18 years.
Are racist, or attack other groups or religions
Please refer to our terms of use for full details

Simply click on the Forgotten Your Password? link, enter your email address, and we'll have your password sent to you.

Can I change my Password?

Yes, simply go to your Account, click on Password and follow the instructions.

Profile Help

Why must I set up a profile to use the site?

You can search the site without setting up a profile BUT in order to view full member profiles you will need to become a member and set up a profile.

Do I have to pay to set up a profile?

No. To set up a profile you need only become member and becoming a member is always free. You only need to become a paying subscriber if you wish to continue sending messages when your first three months free subscription expires.

How do I set up my Profile?

Start by completing the New Member Registration form, read and accept our Terms & Conditions by clicking on the box next to 'I am at least 18 years of age and have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions of use'.

How do I change my Profile?

Once you have logged in click on Profile and then Edit Profile and follow the edit instructions.

Photo Help

How do I add a photo to my profile?

Go to Profile, select Edit Photos and follow the guidelines for uploading photos.

Does my photo automatically show on my profile?

No. All newly uploaded photos must be checked and approved by our support staff before they become publicly visible. The same is true of existing photos if you change your primary picture. Photos are usually checked within 24 hours of upload, but this may be longer at times of high demand, and on weekends when we have fewer staff on duty.

Are there any specific requirements for adding photos?

Yes. Your photo must either be in JPEG, GIF or PNG format. Your photo must be less than 4MB in size and a maximum of 3 photos will be allowed. Please refer to the detailed instructions in Edit Photos.

Why did my photo disappear from my profile?

Your photo may be deleted if it does not comply with our technical requirements, if it is obscene or infringes on copyrighted material such as cartoons and pictures of celebrities.

Search Help

How do I search?

It's quick and easy! Simply go to Find, complete the search parameters and click 'Search'.

How do I search for a specific member name?

Simply enter the name you are looking for in the Keywords section and click on 'Search'.

Why do I not get any results when I search?

You are most probably making your search criteria too narrow, try relaxing your requirements a bit...

What is a match?

Matches are other members whose profiles meet the criteria you specified when you set up your profile. Our matching engine performs two-way matches, so members will only appear in your match list if your profile also meets the criteria they specified for their matches.

How do I refine my matches?

Make sure your profile is as detailed as possible by completing the requested information as comprehensively as you can. It�s also a good idea to make sure that your desired partner details are neither to wide or too narrow � the trick to successful matching is in finding the right balance.

Contacting Other members

How do I contact another member?

When you view another member's profile you will see a 'Send Message� link. Click this link, enter your subject and message in the text boxes provided and click on 'Send Message'.

Can I send a message without always going to the other member's profile?

Yes, add the other member to your Favourites by clicking the 'Add to My Favourites' link on their profile. Next time you want to message them simply go to My Favourites and click the 'Send Message' link next to their username.

Will any of my details be exposed?

No! The message sent to the other member will only contain your username, your message and brief instructions telling them how to reply. See our privacy policy for further details.

Must I be a Subscriber to receive messages?

No, you will receive messages sent to your username even if you are not a Subscriber. You will, however, need to be a subscriber to reply.

I accidentally deleted the message I received can you help?

Sorry, we cannot retrieve the content of messages once they're sent.

I'd prefer not to receive messages in my regular email inbox. Can you help?

It may be a good idea to set up a free Web-based mail account to use in your profile BUT there is a potential down side to using free email services in that some of them disable your account if it is not checked regularly. This would mean that messages sent to you by other members will be lost and, if we receive several consecutive bounces from your address, we may be required to hide or remove your profile.

How do I stop receiving messages from a specific member?

You can hide your profile and block messages from a member by clicking the 'Block Member' link on their profile.