Last reviewed: August 4, 2026
HIVMingle reviews dating platforms from the perspective of someone who wants clear expectations before creating an account, sharing personal information, or paying for additional features.
A recommendation is an editorial judgment, not a guarantee of matches, compatibility, safety, or a particular experience. Dating platforms change, and the experience can vary by location, preferences, profile quality, and activity level.
Our review process
1. Identify the intended community
We examine who the platform says it serves and whether its positioning is relevant to people living with HIV. We make clear when a platform serves a broader positive-singles or STI community rather than an HIV-only community.
2. Check free and paid access
We record what a new user can do before paying and which communication, search, profile, or privacy tools may require a paid membership. We avoid calling a service fully free when important functions are restricted.
3. Review privacy and profile controls
We look for controls relating to profile visibility, photos, contact preferences, blocking, reporting, account deletion, and search-engine visibility. We do not describe a platform as anonymous or completely private unless reliable evidence supports the exact claim.
4. Review safety information
We consider whether reporting tools, community rules, support information, and online-dating safety guidance are easy to locate. No platform is described as completely safe, and the absence of a background check is noted when the platform publicly states that one is not performed.
5. Test the user journey when access is available
When practical and permitted, we examine registration, profile setup, browsing, navigation, mobile usability, account settings, and cancellation information. We distinguish direct testing from information taken from the platform’s public pages.
6. Verify material facts
Important claims should be checked against current service agreements, pricing or membership pages, privacy information, help pages, or direct product testing. Statistics are not used without a source and date.
7. Explain benefits and limitations
A useful review should help a reader decide whether the platform fits their needs. That requires both positive features and relevant limitations, not a list of promotional claims.
How affiliate relationships are handled
HIVMingle may receive compensation from a recommended platform. Affiliate links are disclosed and marked with an appropriate sponsored-link attribute. Compensation does not permit a platform to buy a guaranteed ranking or remove a material limitation from a review.
Scores and rankings
HIVMingle does not publish a numerical score until enough of the review process has been completed to support a repeatable scoring method. When a page names a “current pick,” the page should explain the selection criteria and the date on which the conclusion was reviewed.
Updates and corrections
Important pages should be checked when pricing, features, service terms, or privacy practices change. Readers and platforms may submit corrections. Material updates should be supported by a reliable public source or direct testing and should not be made only because a platform prefers different wording.
What a review cannot tell you
- How many suitable profiles will be available in a particular area.
- Whether another member is truthful or compatible.
- Whether a relationship will develop.
- Whether every platform user will follow the rules.
- Whether a service will remain unchanged after the review date.