When I think Badoo, the first thing that comes to mind are the countless viners who used to incorporate the app into their five-second videos somehow. While impressive, because of this advertising I was convinced that the app wasn’t really worthwhile. I mean, how could internet-famous high school students know what dating app was best for me? A more important question would be, are they even allowed to be on dating apps at their age?
When the opportunity to write this review came across my desk, I was curious: was this app worth it? Did this app even exist anymore? Where does it stand when compared to the competition? Well, I fired up the Badoo app and got down to business. Want to find out if I found my bae or if Badoo is a total bust? Read my detailed Badoo review right here.
First Impressions
My first impressions of this site are not anything special. The sign up was really easy and took about fifteen seconds to mark my gender, sexual orientation, upload a profile picture, enter my birthday and name. Honestly, I think this sign up process took “quick and easy” to a negative extreme.
While it might sound unbelievable, Badoo boasts a staggering 318 million users across a whopping 190 countries. Going off numbers alone, Badoo is actually the most populated online dating site in the world. Bigger than Tinder, bigger than Adult Friend Finder.
I’ve noticed that the longer it takes for you to sign up to a site, the more specific your matches are going to be. For instance, with a site like Meet Mindful, it could take a solid hour to flesh out a profile upon sign-up. On that site, you’re probably going to be able to find someone who not only shares your mutual interest in hot yoga, but you’ll find someone who is also a vegan spiritualist just like you!
Profile creation was almost non-existent, however, I did have to go through a quick profile verification process. Personally I don’t mind having to endure profile checking as 
it helps keep away the fake profiles.
Aside from this however, there was no personal verification system in place. You have to provide an email address and phone number before signing up, but they don’t ask you to verify either.
The reason for this lack of personal information? Well, the Badoo app has this “hip and trendy” thing going on. The majority of its members are on the younger side, and Badoo clearly thinks the young folk don’t have the desire or effort to input much profile detail.
Since I wasn’t even required to fill out a bio on Badoo, it’s unlikely my matches are going to be well suited for me. Honestly, I think that Meet Mindful’s sign up process is overkill, but something in the middle of the two extremes would have been nice.
Even if I were just looking for a hookup, I didn’t want to meet with any of the people who decided to message me after I signed up.
Features
Badoo seems like it’s a basic swiping and grid dating site. They fuse the two popular formats together to create two kinds of experiences on the one app.
The site and mobile app are fully usable as a free member, but for the purposes of my Badoo review I upgraded so I could test the site in full.
On top of this, they have a few other features that I’ve yet to see with any sort of dating app: an integrated cam site and a look-alike feature.