The Black Singles dating website obviously strives to reach a distinct customer base. Some people want to date interracially, but Black Singles is for those who want to find someone of a similar mind and cultural background. It's like most other dating sites, with the usual methods for members to get and stay connected, but it also has some extra features that work to make it unique.

The profile you'll fill out is a lot like the one you'll do on any other site, but when the "race/ethnicity" question comes up, there are a lot more choices. However, most members elect to elaborate on their racial make-up in the "About Me" section.

When it's time to search, it can be done by keyword or zip code (to within ten miles)! The results page gives you a summary of each matching profile, and when you click on it, you get the full story and the date of the member's last login. There's also a 'photo album' feature that allows the user to browse member profiles.

Unfortunately, only upgraded members on BlackSingles.com have the ability to read or send messages. To reply to a premium member's IM, it's free, but to make contact through email or to initiate an IM, you'll need to upgrade. Basic members also cannot go into the chat rooms or post on the message boards.

Black Singles gives the member a few options in matchmaking. You can get your matches delivered to your email inbox, and those matches are sorted according to the criteria put into the profile. The site also offers a personality test, with a highly accurate result. Profiles are color coded, according to personality type.

All profiles have a yes/no/maybe choice above each profile. Choosing "yes" sends a message directly to the other member, with your profile displayed along with two others. Choosing "maybe" includes your profile with three others, and choosing "no" means that you won't be included in their email matches.

BlackSingles.com has a good number of members, and it is competitively priced. Its biggest drawback is the inability of basic members to be contacted by any other means than IM. However, its popularity and low price more than make up for that minor disadvantage.

Soul Singles is a cool and fun place to meet black singles for lasting relationships. Thankfully, they no longer carry the "keepin' it real" slogan, but other than that nothing has changed (besides the price of membership). The site doesn't have much in the way of community (it has no chat rooms or message boards), but it does boast an online newsletter with interesting and useful articles.

When you fill out your Soul Singles profile, you have to answer some pretty specific questions. The questions are racially-oriented, which can be a good thing because it doesn't lump members into generic categories. Soul Singles allows for diversity while remaining sensitive to the racial make-up of the individual.

Once you've made your free profile, you can search by keyword or zip code (up to a 150 mile area). Upgraded members can narrow the search area down to fifty miles from home. Paid members can communicate by email or IM, and they can also see who's been looking at their profile. Replying to emails and IMs is completely free, or you can send a free 'flirt'.

You can fill out a detailed questionnaire about your perfect match, and Soul Singles will compile a list of potential matches. Go to the site to see profiles which fit your search criteria. Or, you can get your matches and new 'flirts' in your email inbox.

The site recently added a "travel and events" section, which is fun because it keeps members up to date on what's going on in the dating scene across the country. Soul Singles also sponsors contests, where you can win prizes like fantasy dates and a lot more.

As we mentioned, membership dues were raised recently (by about forty percent). That might seem like a lot, but if you've known the site for a while it was always on the cheap side- so now it's more in line pricewise with the other sites. Soul Singles has a small but steady fan base, so try it today. You never know who you'll meet!

Afro Introductions is a dating service that aims to form lasting connections between black people. Although you might think that it caters solely to African-Americans, many join because it offers a real interracial client base. The site also offers its top-tier members a translation service, allowing people from around the world an opportunity to meet someone special.

Joining Afro Introductions is free, but don't let that fool you. The site has strict quality standards, and to join you must completely fill in your profile. After all- a potential mate cannot get a complete picture of you without your ethnicity, career choice, or a snapshot! Members must also write a bit in the "About Me" section, and they have to tell everyone what they are looking for in a mate. A quick search shows dozens of photos- you never know who you'll find!

If you receive messages on Afro Introductions (and you will), replying is free. That alone makes it worthwhile for you to sign up. Not many online dating sites allow users to reply to messages for free.

We can't give an honest review without talking about Afro Introductions' disadvantages. There is no option to search by zip code, but users can search by country, state, or province. Further filtering is done by selecting your city from a drop-down list. As we said, don't go on Afro Introductions expecting to meet someone close to you- broaden your horizons. Your love match could be anywhere!

If you meet someone you're interested in, you can contact them through email, IM, or one of the on-site chat rooms. Unfortunately, to start a conversation or chat, you have to be a premium member. Paid members can start and reply to conversations, join group chats, and get messages translated to and from several languages.

Afro Introductions seeks to fill a specific need, and it is slickly marketed. While it has started out small, it has attracted a steady stream of visitors. Don't let its modest beginnings make you pass it by- give Afro Introductions a shot today!