In the world of online dating, few platforms have garnered as much attention and controversy as Ashley Madison. Known for its tagline "Life is Short. Have an Affair.", this website has positioned itself as the go-to destination for individuals seeking extramarital relationships. With over 5 million active users, Ashley Madison promises a discreet and secure environment for those looking to spice up their love lives. In this review, we'll delve into the features, usability, security measures, and overall experience of using the Ashley Madison platform.
Ashley Madison stands out from the myriad of dating sites by specializing in extramarital connections. The site caters to married individuals and those in committed relationships who are seeking an affair. This niche focus has attracted a substantial user base of both men and women who are interested in exploring relationships outside their primary commitments.
The platform's main selling point is its promise of discretion. For many users, the allure of Ashley Madison lies in the ability to connect with like-minded individuals without the fear of being discovered. This emphasis on privacy is a key factor in the site's popularity.
As with any online platform, the user experience is paramount, and Ashley Madison has taken significant strides in ensuring that its interface is intuitive and user-friendly. The site is well-designed, featuring a clean and straightforward layout that makes navigation a breeze. From signing up to engaging with potential partners, users will find the process smooth and uncomplicated.
The registration process involves creating a profile, which can be done anonymously. This feature is particularly appealing to users who value privacy and wish to keep their real identities concealed. Once registered, users can browse through profiles, send messages, and utilize the site’s advanced search filters to find matches based on specific criteria.
Given the sensitive nature of the platform, Ashley Madison has implemented robust security measures to protect its users. The site uses SSL encryption to safeguard data and ensure secure communication. Furthermore, users have the option to blur their photos and engage in private chats to maintain anonymity.
Despite these measures, it's important to note that Ashley Madison faced a significant data breach in 2015, which exposed the personal information of millions of users. Since then, the platform has worked diligently to enhance its security protocols, regain user trust, and prevent future breaches.
One of the standout features of Ashley Madison is its vibrant and diverse community. With millions of users worldwide, the platform offers a plethora of potential matches for those seeking an affair. The community is active, with individuals open to exploring various types of relationships, from casual encounters to long-term affairs.
Users can take advantage of various communication tools, such as private messaging and chat rooms, to connect with others. The site also offers a travel feature, allowing users to arrange meetings with potential matches in different locations as they travel. This adds an exciting dimension for those looking to connect with people outside their local area.
Ashley Madison operates on a credit-based system rather than a subscription model. Users purchase credits to interact with others on the platform, with costs varying depending on the activity, such as sending messages or initiating a chat. This system allows users more flexibility and control over their spending, making it attractive for those who may not be frequent users.
There’s also a free account option that allows users to create a profile and browse others, but engaging in meaningful communication requires purchasing credits. This pay-as-you-go model ensures that users can tailor their experience based on their level of engagement and interest.
Ashley Madison offers a unique and enticing proposition for individuals seeking discreet, extramarital connections. Its well-designed interface, large user base, and focus on privacy make it an appealing choice for those looking to explore affairs outside their primary relationships. However, potential users should weigh the risks and remain cautious about their online privacy.
Despite its past challenges, the platform has bounced back and remains a popular choice among those who dare to explore the boundaries of their relationships. If you're considering joining Ashley Madison, approach it with an understanding of its niche focus and an awareness of the importance of maintaining your privacy. In doing so, you may find it to be a rewarding avenue for new and exciting experiences.
Ashley Madison set up an office in Cyprus as a base for its international operations, attracted to Cyprus because of its reputation for financial stability, a low corporate tax rate, a friendly banking environment and a strong rule of law. Sure, the Ashley Madison executives were aware that a banking crisis was brewing, but they had ventured ahead. They were assured in part by a promise from Pr ... [...]
Your way off
I have had that box unchecked since day one. Is this like the fox watching the hen house you write about? You may police the site but you also have ringers too!\\r\\n\\r\\nStill waiting for customer support to answer this question, it's been a month now and no reply.\\r\\n\\r\\nWait until you have 5 credits left, you will get a collect message from a ringer.
Pros
I did finally after 3 months meet someone.
Cons
The collect messages, there should be a box to allow you to receive collect messages. Like allow collect message from othe profiles to be delivere to your mail box. Check here.
About those "fake" messages, winks, and so on
There are some reviews that state there are "fake users" or women sending winks, collect messages, chat and so on. The answer is to go into "Manage Profile" and UN-Check the box that says "Market Research." If this box is checked, then you're asking for it. See the section below, that is straight out of the AM Terms of Use Agreement:
"From time to time the Service may include, offer, initiate or send winks, virtual gifts, collect messages, instant chat and/or replies from individuals or programs ("Market Research") for market research and/or customer experience and/or quality control and/or compliance purposes. Market Research information is used to provide analysis, feedback, trends, patterns, social commentary and information in the aggregate and aides in the process of monitoring our system for compliance with our operating standards. Market Research will NOT be conspicuously identified as such. Any interaction or communication with Market Research is independent of, and separate from, our general database of Member's seeking personal or physical or other kinds of encounters or introductions. If you do not wish to continue to receive Market Research, to which the receipt of such messages you hereby consent, go to "Manage Profile" and click on "Profile Options", in "Profile Options" select "Check this box if you do not wish to by contacted by Market Research." Then click on "UPDATE."
Women, be very very afraid. . . . and go elsewhere! Or just have fun and lurk.
I'm one of those women who gave up on dating sites but very much wants to continue having sex with lusty men. AM is perfect since it's full of unavailable men who won't want to come home to meet the kids or mom & dad. They all want what I want: Sex. Women, it's important to be honest on your profiles. If you want one guy, be truthful about yourself. What do you want? Kinky stuff? Conservative stuff? Post your real weight, your real age. Have a real picture (a flattering one, but within the last year) in your private showcase or be ready to talk on e-mail (which guys will want to do in order to avoid charges from AM). Don't sent the picture until you trust that the guy isn't your next-door neighbor or a PI sent by your husband or boss.
The problem is, 99% of these guys lie, compulsively. Even more than you might imagine, the pictures are OLD, the weights and ages are wrong (sometimes in an attempt to lead any suspicious spouses away from one's profile), and even though they say they want "only one," they know that's what women want to hear.
My solution is to create half a dozen profiles: A few "real" ones and four decoys that try to lure these "only one" guys into having sex. The decoys protect me. In two cases where I really thought guys wanted me for their exclusive sex/affair partner, they set up a sex date, sight unseen, with one of my decoys the very next day. Dummies. For girls like me who are serious about safe and clean guys who aren't with a bunch of other women at the same time, we'll do whatever it takes to guarantee our own safety. I have no problem with that though the guys were livid with the "entrapment." Tough.
Guys, just tell the truth, will you? If you are interested in one-night stands, tell the girl that you can't promise anything after one night. Otherwise, if you tell her you want to try each other out for an exclusive gig, you'll just piss her off.
So, here's the thing. You might get lucky. I did. After kissing a couple of really awful frogs (a psycho old dude I describe below under "cons," a sex addict who I swear had herpes sores on the picture of his penis that he insisted on texting me, a guy who was 12 years older than what his profile said who told me I was the only one he wanted and then made a sex date with my decoy only two hours later. . .. ) I found an incredible, sexy, passionate man who taught me more than I could ever dream of knowing about sex. But I consider this crazy luck, NOT due to AM itself.
I can't really say "no" to AM but I can't enthusiastically endorse it, either. Were it not for the incredible lover--unavailable married lover, just my style--who I finally met, I would say "NO." But we are incredibly happy, having more sex in the last 6 months than I had in 15 years of marriage.
Pros
1. There really are some great guys who are sincere in their desire for an exclusive sexual relationship outside of their marriage. Sounds strange, but it's true. They aren't "players." These guys are worth it. But they are VERY few and far between. I finally met one after meeting hundreds and messaging around 80.
2. It's fun. Gives you something to do. Flattering too! However, you need to ignore 90% of the messages in order to have fun.
3. Some of the nude pictures are worth the price of admission (which is free for women). Be sure to check "accept rated photos" in your preferences. Request private showcase photos from men (even from other countries) who look frisky. They are usually happy to comply.
Cons
1. Guys lie. They will say they want exclusivity, but then they say the same thing to 10 other girls. Your dummy profiles will catch these and protect you.
2. The guys who don't have "AM" beside their name are "free" members and are either transients hanging out at the library, cheap guys hoping to get lucky, high school students in study hall, or psych 101 students doing a research project. It's a waste of time even responding to these dudes.
3. I met a few of the most psycho men I've ever imagined on this site. One was a 260-pound 65-year-old guy on heart medicine who said (on his profile) he was 55 and 170#. His picture was 30 years old. He stopped his meds 2 days before so he could get it up for our meeting. He almost blacked out on me and then went into a flying rage the next day. Total psycho.
4. Prepare yourself for some criticism unless you're perfect. If you have a wonderful body, you will have NO trouble getting yourself a f**k buddy immediately. If you are older or heavier than the norm, you will get a reaction that will call your self-esteem into doubt. For example, I am a bit heavier than the norm. I had a good four days of chat with a guy--a police officer, in fact. He sent his pic. I sent mine. He told me, point blank, that I was heavier than he thought and he wasn't attracted. That stung and I felt better after letting him know that I wasn't into shallow guys.
DGA2010
When you go to Ashley Madison just be careful. You have to buy credits in large somewhat expensive "lumps". These credits are used when contacting other members. They also have a "wink" you can send for free, the idea being if the person you winked at is interested in you they will send an email (which you pay for). In 3 cases, when I sent a wink an email came back asking if I was online. Being new I didn't know how to respond and because I thought the response showed interest, I sent each a legitimate email (10 credits each) which they never bothered to respond to. So there ARE people on there who sole purpose is to dwindle your credits. If you get an email asking if you "are online" do not respond and you should be fine.
Pros
Can't think of many.
Cons
A LOT of "members" haven't been there for over 3 months and are not contactable.