Whether you were born and raised in Africa or of African descent, chances are high that you may have rolled your eyes at the homepage of this site describing the users as an “exotic African beauty.”
But keep in mind that “exotic” means more than just “strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual.” There’s also the other definition: “introduced from another country: not native to the place where found.” When you think of it like that, it sounds less like someone referring to users like birds.
To be fair with this Afro Introductions Review, the homepage stats confirm, “Since 2002, AfroIntroductions has connected thousands of African singles around the world, making it the largest and most trusted African dating site.”
With more than 4.5 million users, this is a place for Africans who have left home, African-Americans who want to know more about their other “home” and anyone else who is interested in dating someone within this Cupid Media network.
Afro Introductions Review
Cupid Media Network is the operator of more than 30 niche dating sites, and this one brings Africans, those of African descent, and other groups into space where they can get to know each other.
Key Features
For some users, the questions may either appear to be an opportunity to fish for compliments (answering the “I consider my physical appearance” question) or be met with groans (answering “my best feature” by saying pretty much anybody art that’s listed or choosing “my wallet”).
Of course, with the latter question, users can choose not to answer, say “other” or opt to go with “If you’re lucky I’ll show you.” Still, though, this isn’t exactly the deepest question to ask someone during initial meet-and-greets.
In-person first-date questions probably wouldn’t include this one. However, in the online world, pretty much any query is fair game.
If you own pets, you can list all kinds of them from birds to horses and reptiles—and to no one’s surprise, “exotic pets.” There’s no pressure to commit on this site though. If you’re looking for an old-school penpal, Afro Introductions has you covered, along with friendship, romance/dating, and long-term relationships.
Interestingly, there are some questions on this site that you will not find on other Cupid Media Network sites, possibly due to the niche group on this one. Examples include “French language ability” (as though there are no other languages one can speak from Africa), whether you “Accept Polygamy” and/or “Languages Spoken.”
Where Are Users of Afro Introductions From?
The membership base is made up of more than 4.5 million singles from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Kenya, Cameroon, South Africa Nigeria, Ghana, Madagascar, Cote d’Ivoire, and other unidentified African countries.
Sign-Up Process
Your name, email address, gender specification (always marking the opposite gender so check carefully if you’re in the LGBTQ+ crowd) and ZIP code will get you into the site fairly quickly.
The other profile questions bring up the kind of topics that you would normally see in the photos, but they want answers anyway: eye color, hair color, height, weight, body type, ethnicity, and body art.
Communication Options
As soon as you log in, you’ll know how many people you have the option of speaking to. For example, while preparing this post, there were 4,124 users online. While that’s only 9 percent of the total users, that’s still quite a few people to scope out and chat with until you find your favorites to talk to.
Pricing & Membership Options
For a platinum membership, pay $12.50 per month (for 12 months, or $149.99 for a year), $23.33 per month for three months (or a one-time payment of $69.98), or $34.99 for one month.
Pay by credit card, Paysafe Card, Skrill, or a bank transfer. For a gold membership, you can save a few dollars with $10 per month (for 12 months, or $119.98 for a year), $20 per month for three months (or a one-time payment of $59.99), or $29.98 for a month.
For standard (free) membership, you can do a “basic” match, like someone’s profile, and communicate with paying members. With platinum membership, you can do all of that, plus communicate with all members via the messaging system and/or live chat.
You can hide your profile, view anonymously, rank above other members, double your profile space, have VIP profile highlighting, have advanced matching algorithms and translate messages into your preferred language.
For gold membership, you have most platinum options except for ranking above other members, doubling profile space, VIP profile highlighting, advanced matching algorithms, and message translations.
Safety & Security
If you really want to make sure that users are reading your profile, don’t bother responding to anyone who does not fit the profile for “What You Are Looking for.” But with that said, opposites attract. The person you think you’re looking for may not be the person you end up enjoying the company of.
Ask any successful married couple if they ended up with the person who crossed all the t’s and dotted all the i’s on their “dream man/woman” list. Chances are high that the answer will be no.”
But on virtual dating sites, the key here is that you’re talking to someone who even cares enough to read it. If you find that this person hasn’t bothered to do anything but look at photographs, don’t expect a conversation with much substance.
Additionally, the site warns you not to include your last name, e-mail address, home address, phone number, place of work, or any other identifying information in your dating profile. During initial communication, you may want to keep this to yourself.
While asking about your financial situation should be off the table, oddly, this website also asks what your annual salary is, so it doesn’t necessarily practice what it preaches. But giving a ballpark figure (not recommended) is not the same as someone asking you flat-out for a loan. Report anyone who seems suspicious by clicking the “Report Abuse” icon.
Pros & Cons
As with all Cupid Media Network sites, having a profile photo is highly recommended. However, you should edit your photograph beforehand. If you put it in upside down, expect it to stay that way until you delete it and fix it to upload again.
It takes a second to figure out where the delete button is (at the very bottom of the image), but it’s fairly easy to upload and remove as needed.
It’s curious that users are asked what languages they speak, but French is the only one that’s highlighted regardless of which option they choose. Why is this peculiar? Because Swahili is the most popular language in Africa, followed by Amharic, Yoruba, Oromo, and then Hausa. French doesn’t rank until number 11.
But there are indeed French-speaking countries such as Gabon, Mauritius, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Sao Tome e Principe. French is also spoken in North African countries such as Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.
Bottom Line
Besides the person’s place of birth, online users will still have to jump through the same hoops and ask all the same questions that would usually be asked by someone on an in-person date.
Hopefully, if you find someone whose company you enjoy, you two can get to the point of having a virtual date and then an in-person one (assuming you don’t live too far away). But as with any online site or social media platform, only share what you feel comfortable sharing.
If you keep your life too close to the vest, you may never get to know the other person. However, don’t overshare to the point of being at risk of a stolen identity either. Only share photos online that you would not mind sharing on social media. The more you get to know each other, the more you two can consensually share more intimate details.
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