Interface
I was taken aback by the number of pictures and GIFs system displays on the main page. I’m yet to see so much nudity that’s not even erotically attractive.
The interface is so basic that it comes across as primitive. Instabang didn’t strike me as a safe space for sharing personal pictures.
Signing up
Creating an account takes six steps. I chose my gender, that of my future partner, the country, and the city, the age, entered a valid email and came up with a password.
Profile
After you’ve created an account, upload a picture to increase the odds of getting message requests. You can either upload a file or use a webcam to shoot one on-spot. Keep in mind than an image should be at least 300 px tall and 300 px wide.
Search
Instabang has elaborate search filters – I didn’t have to browse through the profiles of people who are too old for me or looking for something too extra. The range of basic filters includes choosing between women and men, specifying the partner’s age, and location.
I went for advanced ones – they are times more elaborate. I could search for partners by profession, income, and interest to make sure my next hookup fills the bill like a glove.
Chat was one of the few features I liked very much. I could see the messages in a tab while browsing the search reel, with the activity status of the match displayed as a green circle near the partner’s profile picture.
Depending on how far you’re willing to take the relationship, you can either text or video chat with matches. When I didn’t feel like talking – I clicked “Not Now” and answered later.
Mobile app
I was out of luck trying to find an Android or iOS app. The browser interface is optimized for mobile devices – that’s all the mobile experience we get on the platform. However, the images and GIFs on the home page increase response time, making the website challenging to use under an unstable Internet connection.
Security and privacy
The website doesn’t seem secure – yet, I was surprised by how solid the platform’s data protection is. For one thing, Instabang doesn’t ask for more data than needed to find matches. Also, there were no known data leaks – a common problem for most dating platforms.
I was even more surprised to find out Instabang has a fraud team that weeds out fake users and reports them. Luckily, I didn’t have to flag anybody for crossing the line.
Hookup chance
Based on my Instabang ratings, it is not a bad hookup space – it has a wide user base, most profiles look legit. However, the platform didn’t resonate with me – the interface is a 2000s throwback, user profiles are over-the-top daring – even at home, I never felt comfortable browsing the website.
Matching algorithms
There are no sophisticated algorithms to help couples match – I was using filtering to state my sexual preferences, a wanted age, and gender of a partner. On the one hand, looking for a hookup is more transparent this way. On the other, I would love for advanced technology to make some decisions for me and show the side of my personality I never saw coming.
If you are an open-minded dater who cares about the hookup more than the cringe and disgust you’ll experience getting it – Instabang is worth considering. If you are looking for something with more class and dignity – there’s no lack of alternatives to try out.