There are a lot of misconceptions out there about Mutual, its users, and how it works. It’s not uncommon to come across a myth of some sort and wonder how it might affect how you use the app.
At Mutual, our goal is to create eternal marriages. We want you to have a great dating experience both on and off the app! To help improve your in-app experience, we want to be totally transparent with you about how everything works. So, we’re going to set the record straight on some of the more common myths.
Myth #1: You have to pay to use Mutual
Mutual is free to use for everyone! You can create your profile for others to see, swipe through other users’ profiles, match with them and chat with them all without paying anything. You can pay to subscribe to MutualUp, which gives you access to additional features within the app, but you can swipe, match, and message your matches completely for free!
Myth #2: You have to pay in order to actually get matches on Mutual
The majority of matches on Mutual actually involve free users! The best thing you can do to increase your chances of getting matches is to have an awesome profile. Take time to fill out the whole thing, verify your account, and make sure it includes what is really important to you.
Our premium offering, MutualUp, provides a fast lane for serious daters by giving them a list of who has already liked them, eliminating geographic restrictions, and messaging before matching along with many other fun and helpful features. (Check out everything MutualUp has to offer here!)
While the MutualUp features will enhance your experience using the app, none of the features will force other people to like you or to match with you. It’s up to you to put in the effort to make an awesome profile and swipe up to make the match.
Myth #3: People only use Mutual to find friends and get Instagram followers
As of 2019, dating apps are the most common way for people to meet their spouse- with 1 in 4 couples meeting this way. A recent study showed that over 60% of dating app users are looking for something serious. Through our efforts since launching Mutual, we have seen similar results as we’ve helped thousands of our members achieve their goal of getting married.
That being said, over 30% of users feel no one takes dating apps seriously. This is likely a defense mechanism in efforts to avoid the discomfort that commonly accompanies vulnerability.
We realize that not everybody has the same goals or is at the same point in their journey. Our relationship interest feature can help you determine how serious someone is and where they might be on that scale.
There are other people just like you who are looking for someone. Be patient as you try to find others that share your goals. Have faith! They are out there!
Myth #4: Mutual is officially sponsored/run by the Church
Mutual is an app specifically intended for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it is not officially sponsored by the Church.
“The services offered by Mutual LLC are neither made, provided, approved nor endorsed by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Any content or opinions expressed, implied or included in or with the services offered by Mutual LLC are solely those of Mutual LLC and not those of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
That being said, Mutual was created by active members of the Church who saw a need for this product in their own lives. We believe in its importance, and it is our mission to help you find someone compatible with your beliefs.
Myth #5: 100% of the users on Mutual are active LDS members
Much like church buildings, visitors are welcome! Mutual is intended for members of the church, however, anyone can create an account regardless of beliefs or level of activity within the church. Regardless of faith, we require everyone on Mutual to adhere to the same standards as outlined at mutual.app/standards.
Myth #6: Because Mutual is an app for members of the LDS church, there are no scammers, ghosters, or bad people
We hope that all of our users have the best of intentions, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Mutual is not immune to the far too common issues of society. It is important to follow the counsel in Jacob 6:12, “O be wise; what can I say more?” Be wise in your interactions and report inappropriate activity.
As outlined in our Community Standards, we take the safety of our community very seriously, and “certain activities, on or off the app, can get you kicked off.” We depend on you to report inappropriate behavior so that we can keep our community safe.
Myth #7: The Worldwide filter shows 100% of the people using the app
The worldwide filter allows you to see people across the world who have set their preferences to include your current location or the location you’ve selected using the Ward Hop feature. Likewise, your profile will only be shown to people who fall in the preferences you have set. So, if you are 25 years old looking for someone who is between the age of 23 and 27, your profile won’t show up for a 30-year-old who is looking for matches between the ages of 25 and 35.
Myth #8: Guys can post inappropriate/immodest photos but girls can’t
We hold everyone to the same standards as outlined at mutual.app/standards.
Our Community Standards state, “Uploading fun photos that represent you is one of the best ways to get matches. The following is not okay:
- using someone else’s photos / pretending to be someone else
- anything obscene, pornographic, indecent, lewd, or suggestive
- alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or adult content
- photos in bikinis/swimwear indoors
- shirtless/underwear mirror selfies
- unaccompanied children”
Myth #9: Girls can post inappropriate/immodest photos but guys can’t
The humor isn’t lost on us here that both males and females feel the same way. Same as Myth #8, we hold everyone to the same standards as outlined at mutual.app/standards.
Our Community Standards state, “Uploading fun photos that represent you is one of the best ways to get matches. The following is not okay:
- using someone else’s photos / pretending to be someone else
- anything obscene, pornographic, indecent, lewd, or suggestive
- alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or adult content
- photos in bikinis/swimwear indoors
- shirtless/underwear mirror selfies
- unaccompanied children”
Myth #10: Mutual is politically biased/I will be suspended for displaying political beliefs that are different from Mutual’s
Mutual is not affiliated with any particular political party. You will not be suspended for displaying political beliefs one way or the other. However, we do require our community to be respectful, as outlined in our Community Standards. “Anything that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual” is not permitted. If your political beliefs are in conflict with our standards, we simply ask that you not include them in your public profile.
You may also want to consider if having common political beliefs is important to you in a partner. If not, why turn them off by addressing such a hot topic in your profile? There are many successful marriages between partners with different political viewpoints.
Myth #11: People who have started the divorce process can make an account
Mutual is intended for single adults. Even if you are separated or in the process of getting divorced, you are not allowed to make an account until your divorce is final. The way the system is set up, you are still legally married until the divorce is finalized. It would be insincere to promote yourself as single when that is not the case yet. Plus, dating in this time period can cause unnecessary stress in new relationships. We are watching out for all parties here to give everyone the best chance for success.
Myth #12: Deleting the app will delete your account/cancel a subscription
Deleting the app does not delete your account nor cancel your subscription.
To delete your account, go to the settings menu in the bottom right corner of the app. Select “Account” from the menu. At the very bottom of the Account menu, select the “Delete My Account” option, then select “Yes” from the popup menu.
Your subscription is made through the App Store, so if you want to cancel your subscription, you will need to do so through your respective App Store.
If you have an iPhone, please click here to cancel your subscription.
If you have an Android, please click here to cancel your subscription
If you purchased a subscription through one of our special promotions, reach out to our support team here and they can cancel your subscription for you.
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Phew! That was a lot to unpack. Hopefully, this helped answer some of your questions and gave some clarity on how Mutual works and what we offer. If you ever have any other questions or concerns, please let us know here!
We’re always working to try and make Mutual better for you! It is our greatest hope that you meet your eternal companion and that Mutual can be a tool used along your journey to eternal marriage.
Kaleigh Adamson
Kaleigh is a Marketing Coordinator for Mutual. She has worked with couples, relationships, dating, and love in a creative role for over a decade. She's a hopeless romantic who loves that her career allows her to help people find their soulmates. She downloaded Mutual when it first launched in 2016, coincidentally the same year she met her husband! They now live happily ever after in South Carolina with their two kids and dog.
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