Gaia Soulmates FAQ - Find your Kindred Spirit

Welcome to the Gaia Soulmates FAQ. While help is always just an email away, we invite you to check here before writing. It'll save you time and you might even discover more than what you were seeking (such as the guided visualization in the tips section!). So let's see whether your question has been asked below:

How do I:

Create my free Soulmates account?
Log in to my profile?
Create a profile?
Search for other members?
Set my intention for a match?
Send and receive messages?
Become a Premium member?
Delete my account?

Please note that there are more specific questions in each of the sections below, so if you don't see your exact query listed above, just visit the section of the FAQ it relates to. :)

JOINING GAIA SOULMATES

How do I start?
You become a Basic member (it's free!) by following three simple steps:

Go to the Sign Up page
Enter your e-mail address and choose a username.
Then click "Send"

That's it—you're now a Basic member! Now you can create your own profile, "set your intention" for a partner, and browse the profiles of others to your heart's content. : )

Some suggestions to help you as you first join:

Make sure you maintain an attitude of appreciation and positivity. Stay open to what the universe has in store for you!
Remember that you deserving partner who'll love you back. You don't need to settle.
Try a quick visualization to help your success here. You might try Arielle Ford's Heart Light practice to get you started. (From The Soulmate Secret.)

How do I choose a username?
Find a name that you like, one that either speaks to you or says something about who you are. The name may have letters, numbers or some combination of the two. We recommending coming up with a name or phrase that feels right and gives you a little bit of joy every time you type it out or see it pop up on your screen.

Technical guidelines to keep in mind:

Your username must be unique. (If someone else has the name you've chosen, you may need to use another name, or make a small adjustment to the name, like adding your favorite number to it.)
Your username must be no more than 15 characters long.
Your username should consist of letters and/or numbers. Dashes and underscores are also okay.
Please do not use apostrophes (') and quotation marks (").

Is this site open to people from outside the US?
Most definitely! Our intention is to be a global home for love-filled and love-seeking kindred spirits. : )

That said, we are a very new site, and the majority of our charter members have come from within the United States.

Because of this, we offer the following recommendations to our much valued non-US members:

Make use of the "Set your Intention!" feature! That way, as our population expands (as it's doing by the second!), and more and more people join the community from your neck of the woods, we can let you know via email notifications.
(Once you've signed up and logged in, just go to your private Intention page, make your choices, and press "Send." The good energy of your intentions, along with the universe itself, will take care of the rest!)
Share about where you live in your Essay section. (We’re planning to add a field dedicated purely to the exploration of ‘home’ and ‘place in the world.’ Until then, feel free to share about your 'home' anywhere that feels right.)
Have some fun with the general search feature, opening your mind and expanding your criteria just a bit. Who knows? There just may be someone in another country who is perfect and just waiting for you. Anything is possible, and Love is border-less!

Finally, as we work to make our site increasingly world-friendly, we ask for your patience. It may take a bit of time for our technical abilities to catch up with our global intentions!

Are people of differing sexual orientations welcome here?
Of course! We have many gay/lesbian/bi members on our site, and we appreciate, deeply, the presence of each. In fact, you might have noticed that our home page search feature brings back results from all sexual orientations. :)

Also, though the search on the home page has only limited functionality, once you join, you'll find you'll be able to chose from a variety of gay/lesbian/bi searching options, and that your Intention Page, too, includes these fields. Again, you have to be logged in (not just a guest) to make use of these features, but they're most definitely there.

Lastly, we'd love your feedback, and would welcome any supportive ideas you may have for us about how we can make our site as welcoming and inclusive as possible.

LOGGING IN

How do I log in?
Logging in is easy!

Just go to the Gaia Soulmates Home Page and click the Login tab on the top of the screen.
Enter your username and password in the corresponding fields.
Then click the Login button. That's it! You're done.

What if I don't have a username and password?
If you don't have a username and a password, all that means is that you are not yet a Basic member yet. To sign up, click here.

What if I forgot my username and password?
No worries. Just enter your e-mail address in the designated field on this page, and we will immediately send you an email containing your password and username information. Or, click the "Forgotten your password?" link on the Login page, and follow the instructions from there.

What if I am told that Gaia Soulmates cannot find my username, or that my password is wrong?
You've probably entered a different username or password than the one you gave us originally. If you want us to send you copies of the originals, just enter your email address in the designated field on the page pointed out by our error message, and we will immediately send you an email containing your original information.

How do I log in automatically?
To keep Gaia Soulmates as safe and secure as possible, we do not have an automatic login system. However, there is a way to make logging in faster and easier.

When you log in to the system, click on the My Profile link. At the bottom of the Private Info Section, you will see two check boxes: "Remember my username at login" and "Remember my password at login." Check both of them, and then click the "Update Private Info" button just below.

Note: If others have access to your computer, or if you visit Gaia Soulmates via others' computers, we recommend that you protect your privacy by not clicking the memory boxes, especially the password box!

CREATING AND EDITING YOUR PROFILE

Creating your own profile is one of the most enjoyable and important things you will do at Gaia Soulmates. Whether you're a Basic or Premium member, you'll be are able to create your own personal Profile—authentically expressing who you are and what you are looking for.

How do I create my profile?
When you log in for the first time, you will be taken directly to the My Profile page. There you will find two main areas: a Private Info Section and a Profile Section.

Through the Profile Section, you will be able to share as much as you'd like about who you are, what's important in your life, and what you're seeking in a partner or soul mate.

(For more specific descriptions of the Profile Section, read below). Once you have created your profile, PLEASE REMEMBER to press the "Update My Profile" button! We don't want you to lose all of your hard work.

How does The Basics work?
Here you can share basic information about yourself while warming up to the kindred-spirit-finding process. Just fill in the blanks and choose from the various pull-down menus. Though we always recommend full participation, much of this section is optional. There are a few fields, however, that are required. These are marked with little stars (*).

What sort of things should I not include in my profile?
We're committed to providing a safe, secure, and spam-free environment for our members, which means all profiles should be free from:

email addresses, web sites, chat handles, and links to other online profiles;
home or work addresses, and telephone, fax, or other numbers;
advertising links or references to web sites, courses, events, and the like;
information regarding the sale of goods or services.

Including such information can lead to the automatic removal of your profile from our system. So please be careful here! We don't want to lose you.

If you have a question about what to include in your profile, and you have not found an answer in our FAQ section, you're always welcome to write to us. We are happy to clarify and answer specific questions.

Is there a place where I can make my preferences known? What if I want to restrict who gets to see my profile or photo album, or what if I don't want to receive email updates?
Yes! In the bottom half of The Basics, you will see a list of check boxes. We encourage you to make your preferences known to us by checking off the boxes that reflect your wishes. We have pre-checked a few boxes that our members tend to appreciate. Feel free to uncheck them if they do not suit you. And of course, remember to press the "Save/Update Profile" button when you're done!

How does the Personal Interests work?
Just below The Basics, there is a place for you to explore and share your personal interests with others. You can post your favorite quote, have fun distilling your essence to a few carefully chosen words, share some of the ways you feed your mind, body and spirit, and describe how you express your creativity and romantic self.

How does the Essential Qualities work?
Here, you can select the words that describe you, either by checking those that resonate or by entering your own.

One recommendation: when choosing words to describe yourself in the "I consider myself to be…" section, do try to limit yourself to 5 or 8 words at most! It makes the word-picking process more interesting, and the results more revealing.

How does the Essay Section work?
This section is the true heart of your profile. Here you can tell people who you are, what you care about, and what you want from life and relationships. And, you get to do it in your own words. To get your self-reflective juices flowing, we provide all our members with the same resonant questions. Answer the questions that speak to you, and leave the rest. (Only those you have answered will appear in your profile.)

Remember, the most important thing here is to be authentic! As in the real world, all that's required is that you be yourself. This is not about performing, selling something, or trying to be what you are not.

After all, if your path has led you here, we're sure you have many wonderful qualities worthy of sharing, just as you might still have many lessons to learn. We believe that everyone on this site is a work in progress, so we welcome your humanness and hope that you do the same.

Remember: you don't have to do this all at once, and you can always ask a good friend for help. If it feels daunting, start small. Just answer one or two questions, or start with a sentence or two. You can always come back in the days and weeks ahead to revise and adjust. Also, exploring the site to see how other members have answered might help inspire you, too.

A Word for the Wise: The more of yourself you put into your essays, the more you will get out of your Gaia Soulmates experience. So please make the most of this opportunity, and be open to experiencing connection—wherever you find it. It's all about setting your intention, and then letting go!

How do I edit my profile?
Your profile can be edited at any time. Simply click the My Profile link and make your desired changes. Once you have made them, press the "Save/Update Profile" button.

How can I increase my profile's visibility?
By logging in frequently and keeping your profile alive! Visiting the site regularly and increasing the quality of your profile (with text and photos) will increase the chances of it being seen by others.

What information do I have to include when creating my profile?
Technically, you are only required to fill out the fields that are marked with a star (*) – really not much at all! However, we strongly encourage you (as we do all of our members) to provide as much information about yourself as possible. For Gaia Soulmates to be the community of inspiring and engaged people it is meant to be, we need members like you to take this process seriously, and to model 'relational generosity' by sharing who you are.

How much of the information I enter will actually be displayed?
Everything you enter will be visible to others—except, of course, for the information in the Private Info section (your name, email address, password, and so forth).

Warning: Please remember: Gaia Soulmates members must not include e-mail addresses or any other personal contact information in the Essay section of their profiles. To learn more about why, see our Terms of Use.

Can I hide my profile?
Of course! Go to the My Profile page and scroll down to the bottom half of the The Basics. There you will see a list of check boxes. To hide your profile, check the box that says, "Hide my profile, so that only people on my Favorites list can see it." After checking the box, press the "Save/Update Profile" just below. That's it. Your profile will be hidden for as long as you like. : )

Keep in mind: When your profile is hidden, it will not show up in any search results, including searches done using the Intention page. However, people on your Favorites list will still be able to communicate with you. Also, people whose profiles you visit will still be able to see your profile—unless you have also checked off the box that says, "I don't want others to see when I am visiting their profiles."

Hiding your profile will not affect the length of your Premium Membership.

How can I make my profile visible again?
Your profile will remain hidden until you return to the My Profile page, uncheck the "Hide my profile" box, and update your profile.

How do I know whether others can view my profile?
Oh, this is easy. Just go to the My Profile page and look for "Your Profile Status". There you will see one of three possible options:

"Your profile has been approved." This means that the approval process is complete, and that all of Gaia Soulmates' members and guests can now see your profile.
"Your profile is pending approval." This means that we have not yet completed the evaluation and approval process of your profile. We do our best to approve profiles as quickly as possible, but during high traffic times, and over the weekend, it can take up to 48 hours after a profile has been created for it to be approved. People whose profiles are pending approval will not appear in search results; however they can still sign up for Premium Membership and contact others.
"Your profile has not been approved." This means that after an evaluative process, we have decided not to approve your profile in its current form. Your profile will remain hidden until it is updated and/or edited, and has been (automatically) submitted for another approval process.

Why has Gaia Soulmates not approved my profile?
There are several possible reasons for why your profile has not yet been approved. One of the most common is that you have not provided enough information about yourself. If your username has discriminatory or sexually offensive over- or undertones, it will not be approved either. If your profile includes private information (i.e. e-mail address, web site, phone number, etc.), or advertising-related information, it will not be approved.

As soon as unapproved profiles are updated or edited, they immediately come to our attention and are re-evaluated.

What is the meaning of the little star icon?
If your profile receives a little star from someone else on the site, congratulations! It means they've noticed your profile and like what you have to say, and that they're interested in connecting or finding out more. These little stars are our ways of helping facilitate connections on the site: they help people see whether someone whose profile they've admired likes their profile in return.

You'll see that whenever you add someone to your Favorites list, his or her profile automatically receives a little star from you (similarly, when someone adds you to their list, we'll send a star to let you know!) Your username and a sweet icon will appear on this person's Favorites list, so they'll know something they've said has caught your eye.

While only Premium members can create a Favorites list, all of our members can receive and respond to these little stars.

MY PHOTOS SECTION

Do I have to include a photo in my profile?
No, you do not have to include a photo if you don't feel comfortable doing so. That said, profiles with a photo tend to attract much more attention. (It's easier to relate to people when you can see their face. :) So if you can, we encourage you to go ahead and do it!

Do make sure that your main profile photo is clear, current, and really looks like you. (As you can imagine, it'll make a real-life connection less awkward if your picture reflects who you are today.)

Is there a place for me to share more pictures?
Of course! In addition to your main profile picture, we invite you to have fun with your photo album. Here you can share all kinds of pictures—of you, your home, your pet, your favorite place in the world, your artwork, your hobbies, or anything else you think might help others get to know you. (You can have up to twelve photos in your photo album.)

Something to keep in mind: While looking at other people's profiles, remember that even though pictures can say a lot, they rarely tell the whole story, and not everyone is naturally comfortable in front of a camera. So, we really encourage you to stay open to surprise. Much of the time, the people we are meant to be with do not look at all like our "fantasy pictures," and much of the time, the beautiful souls we are can't quite be captured on film.

Can I choose who gets to see my photo album?
Yes! You can choose only to give people on your list of Favorites access to your photo album. Just go to the My Profile page, scroll down to The Basics section, and check off the box that says, "Only let people on my Favorites list see my photo album." Then press the "Save/Update Profile" button.

Once you have done the above, you can then choose which members on your Favorites list gets to see your photo album. Next to each username on your Favorites list, you will see a pull-down menu and the words "See my photo album". If you want someone to have access to your photo album, choose the "Yes" option. Otherwise, the default will be "No."

How can I delete a photo I no longer want?
Easy. Go to the My Photos page. Choose the photo you want to remove by clicking on the tiny circle just below it. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the "Delete selected photo" button.

Are there any guidelines I should follow when submitting a photo?
Yes, we have a few technical guidelines, and one little request:

Photos should be clear and no larger than 2MB.
Photos should be uploaded in JPEG (.jpeg) format.
We welcome both serious and silly pictures, as long as they are respectful. (Pornographic pictures and the like will obviously not be posted.)

THE SEARCH PROCESS

At Gaia Soulmates, we believe that your heart and your intuition are your two greatest resources when it comes to finding the one meant for you. Our pages can (and will!) help you in your search, but it's still important to let your intuition be your guide. Let your heart lead you and your instincts protect you, and remember the virtue of patience. Whether you are drawn to someone because of divine inspiration or the unconscious need to repeat an unhealthy pattern, it's always best to take your time. (After all, if it's meant to be, there's no need to rush things along. You'll end up with the right one at the right time.)

Now let's get started. :)

How do I begin?
We recommend starting with a general Search, which will give you instant results and a wide selection to look through.

You can find this Search function on your Favorites page, just below your Favorites list.

You can search by gender, age, country, state, city and/or zip code. Just make your choices with the pull down menus, fill out the fields, and press "Send".

Your search results will appear immediately, and from there, you can decide whom to add to your Favorites list.

What if there are no results for my search?
It sounds like you've created too narrow a set of requirements. Why not open yourself to other potentials? You never know what expanding your criteria might bring, or where love could be hiding. Consider this opportunity to open yourself to the mystery, or to play with trusting fate. Perhaps there's someone in another city or state, or with an unexpected quality, who is perfect, and just waiting for you... Anything is possible, so don't give up! : )

Do you have any other tips?
Since relationship is far from an exact science, we encourage you to take the results of your search with a healthy grain of salt! As you've probably learned by this point in your life, people who "match" your conscious desires are not always mates for your soul. We seem to keep discovering that, in order to find a kindred spirit, one must hold a clear vision of what one wants, yet paradoxically, grasp that vision lightly. Don't be afraid to stretch outside your initial assumptions, and, most importantly, remember to trust your heart.

What happens once I find someone I want to contact?
While your Basic Soulmates membership allows you unlimited searching abilities, only those with Premium memberships have the ability to initiate contact with others. (After all, we want to ensure those you meet are serious about their presence here and, and willing to demonstrate their commitment to finding a partner!)

Fortunately, upgrading is easy. All you need to do is visit our storefront and pick the subscription you'd prefer (we offer a few pricing tiers depending on how long you'd like to maintain your Premium account). The process is safe and secure, and you'll be pleased to see that an entire month membership is less than the cost of an evening of drinks or night at a singles mixer. :)

Your Premium membership will allow you to send unlimited messages, and unlike most dating sites, the members you contact will be able to write back no matter what membership level they're at.

FAVORITES

How does the Favorites list work?
(Keep in mind, only Premium members can add members to their Favorites list.)

The Favorites can be thought of as a 'Contacts' list. Our Premium members use this great feature to keep track of the profiles they find most interesting. Once people are on your Favorites list, you can communicate with them through the Gaia Soulmates message system. You can add 15 people to your list per day, and can remove people from your list at any time.

When you add someone to your Favorites list, they automatically receive an email from us letting them know that you have done so. Similarly, when you remove someone from your Favorites list, we'll send a notification.

(Remember, only Premium members can initiate contact with other Gaia Soulmates members!)

How do the little star icons work?
As a Premium member, you can let someone know that that you've noticed them and that you would like to connect. 'Starring' their profile is an easy way of extending a sweet invitation to communicate through our message center.

Whenever you add someone to your Favorites list, his or her profile automatically receives a star from you. Your username and a little icon will appear on this person's Favorites list.

While only Premium members can send these little stars, all of our members can receive and respond to them.

How do I add someone to my Favorites list?
As long as you are a Premium member, it's easy! (Basic members are not able to add people to their Favorites list; however, upgrading your membership is simple.)

After you have thoroughly browsed through your search results, click the small box to the right of the profile that intrigues you, then click the button below saying, "Add Checked User to Favorites".

Note: To view a member's profile, click on his or her username, or the photo icon just to the right of the username.

I am a Basic Member. How does my Favorites list work?
As a Basic member, you cannot add people to your Favorites list. But that does not mean that your list doesn't work! Every time a Premium member adds you to their Favorites list, that Premium member will automatically appear on your list. You can communicate with all Premium members who are on your list.

Of course, if you find someone on Gaia Soulmates that you would love to connect with (and they are either a Basic member or a Premium member who hasn't noticed you yet), you can easily become a Premium member by clicking here.

I'm a Basic member, and received a letter from another member. However, when I went to respond, their name wasn't on my list of contacts.
Congratulations on the letter! If you're still on the Favorites list of the member who wrote to you, you'll find their name in the drop down menu in your inbox. If you can't, that could mean they've taken you off their Favorites list. Perhaps they got discouraged waiting for a response, or perhaps they 'clicked' with another member and didn't want to entertain more than one prospect at a time! If you'd like to get back in touch with them, you can always do so by becoming a Premium member, which will allow you to contact anyone else on the site.

How do I let someone know I am interested in them?
Actually, as soon as you add someone to your Favorites list, you will automatically pop up on that person's Favorites list, along with a little icon right next to your username. Think of this little icon as representing a casual invitation to connect, not a life-time commitment! (Remember, only Premium members are able to initiate contact in this way.)

How can I find someone if I want to reestablish contact?
The best way to do this is to search for the member's username on the Search page. If you can't remember their username, go to the Search page and enter in as much of the person's information as you can remember. Then press "Send." The person should pop up in the results. : )

Why do certain profiles disappear from my Favorites list?
There are a few of reasons why profiles disappear from Favorites lists.

People sometimes decide to stop using Gaia Soulmates for a while, or for good (hopefully because they've found a partner no longer need to look!)

People often remove others from their Favorites lists, to make room for new people, or simply because they have found someone they'd like to focus on.

How do I remove someone from my Favorites list?
Easy! Go to your Favorites page and review your list. Click the small box to the right of the profile that you would like to remove. Then click the button at the bottom of the list saying, "Remove Checked User." That's it!

Is there a way to tell if I am on someone else's Favorites list?
Sure! Actually, any time you see a new username on your Favorites list, accompanied by a little star icon, you know you have become one of someone else's Favorites. So just keep an eye on that page to see whose attention you've attracted.

INTENTION PAGE

Technically, how does the Intention page work?
The Intention page behaves a bit like a customized search engine. You describe what you are looking for, and then, over time, we'll alert you to profiles of those who fit your description. (We also think it's helpful for reasons that don't involve computer code. After all, being clear about what you desire is the best way to assist the universe in bringing it to you.)

Once you press "Send," you can relax, let go, and allow the Intention to drift off and work its magic. As new members enter the Gaia Soulmates community, your Intention will find those that most closely resemble your wishes. It will then send you messages (via e-mail) to announce their arrival.

How do I "set my intention" on Gaia Soulmates?Whenever you want, you can go to your private Intention page to describe, or clarify, the sort of partner you're seeking. There, you'll also find a growing list of potential kindred spirits. Relying on your strong intuition, adventurous nature, and the power of your intentions, you can more deeply explore the profiles on your list.

When you find one that seems to have a special glow, add the profile to your Favorites list by first clicking on the check box to the right of the profiles, and then clicking on "Add Checked User to Favorites." For the ones that don't resonate, just check that same little box to the right of those profiles and click "Remove Checked User."

To set your intention now, click here!

Who can I communicate with?
While those with a Basic membership can enjoy Gaia Soulmates in many ways, only those with a Premium membership can initiate contact with other members. Once a Basic member has been contacted by a Premium member, however, the Basic member is free to respond.

If you are a Basic member, and you would like to send a message to another Gaia Soulmates member, please click here to become a Premium member.

Is it safe to communicate with people online?
We believe that communicating with people online is really not that different from meeting people in the real world. In the same way that you might approach a friendly and attractive stranger at a party or cafe, or strike up a conversation with someone browsing in your favorite bookstore, chat lightly before deciding to invite them for a coffee, you can do the same online. We encourage our members to act just as they would any other public gathering of people with whom they might feel a connection—be friendly and welcoming, but exercise your own good judgment. People online are like people everywhere: lovely and helpful and not that different from you.

MESSAGE CENTER

As a Premium Member, who can I send messages to?
If you are a Premium member, you can send messages to anyone on your Favorites list.

Where do I receive my messages?
When a new message awaits you, a little icon will appear on your Favorites list, next to the name of the person who sent you the message. If you want to read the message, just click on the icon, and you will be led directly to your Inbox where the message lies waiting! All new messages can be found in your Inbox. (The subjects of all unread messages will be in bold text.)

How do I reply to a message that I have received?
If you want to reply to a message, scroll down to the Write Message section in your Inbox. Make sure the username you are writing to has been chosen at the pull-down menu. Write your message. Then press "Send." That's it!

How do I save my messages?
Once you have received a message, it will automatically be stored in your Inbox. Your Inbox can store up to 50 messages. If you want to keep the message, check the box to the right, press the "Save Checked Item" button, and the message will go into your "Saved Messages" box.

How many messages can I save?
You can save up to 50 messages in your "Saved Messages" box. If you do not save your messages, they will be automatically deleted in the order of dates received. In other words, the oldest will get deleted first.

Sending Messages

I am a Basic Member, and I want to send someone a message. How do I do that?
To initiate contact with someone at Gaia Soulmates, you must be a Premium member. If you would like to send a message to someone, we encourage you to click here to become a Premium member. It's easy and quick!

I am a Premium Member, and I want to send someone a message. How do I do that?
If you have found someone on your Search Results page interesting, and you would like to initiate contact with this person, follow these simple steps:

Add the person to your Favorites list by checking the box to the right of his/her username, then click the "Add Checked User to Favorites" button below.
Once someone is on your Favorites list, click the Contact link (all the way to the right of the person's username). You will then be automatically taken to your Outbox.
Now scroll down to the "Write your Message" box.
Write your message and press "Send." That's it!

Important: Make sure the pull down menu has chosen the username you intend to write!

Where does my message go after I have sent it?
Once you have sent a message, it will automatically be stored in your Outbox. Your Outbox can store up to 50 messages, for a maximum of 30 days.

Can I save messages that I send?
Of course. If you want to save a message that you have sent, check the corresponding box, press "Save", and the message will be stored on your Saved Messages page. If you do not save outgoing messages, they will be automatically deleted in order of the dates they were sent. In other words, the oldest will get deleted first.

I received an e-mail saying that someone sent me a message. How can I find my mail?
Easy. Next time you log in to your profile, you will see a little icon on your Favorites list, just next to the username of the person who sent you the message. Click on the icon, and you will be taken to your Inbox, where your letter awaits you. If for some reason you can't see the icon, just click the "Mail" link at the top of the page, and then "Inbox". All new and unread letters will be highlighted in bold text.

I have received a message from someone through Gaia Soulmates. How can I respond?
First off, congratulations! You must have done a beautiful job on your profile. Now, how to respond. If you go to the Message Center, you'll find the new message in your Inbox. Click on the subject to read the message. To respond, write your message in the "Write Message" text field below, then click "Send".

If the person who has sent you the message has removed themselves from your Favorites list, you won't be able to respond to their message unless you add them to your Favorites list again.

Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.

Managing Messages

How do I manage my new messages? What are my options?
After reading a new message in your Inbox, you have several options. You can:

Save the Message — by checking the box to the right, and clicking the "Save Checked Items" button below.
Delete the Message — by checking the box to the right, and clicking the "Delete Checked Items" button below.
Learn More About the Sender — by clicking on the sender's username. This will take you to his or her profile.
Block the Sender of the Message — by following the instructions provided below.

How does the Block feature work?
When you block someone, you end all correspondence between you and this person. Once you have blocked someone, they are pretty much blocked for good, so if you are more interested in taking a break than pulling the plug, just remove him or her from your Favorites list.

To block someone:

go to your Favorites list
find the sender's username
check the box to the right
click the "Block Checked User" button below

Why can't I send messages?
If you are a Basic member, you cannot initiate contact with other members. However, it is easy to become a Premium member! Click here if you would like to give Premium Membership a try.

If you are a Premium member, you should have no trouble sending a message! Just make sure that the person you are trying to communicate with is on your Favorites list, as you you can only communicate with people on this list. If you still can't send messages, please contact our Customer Service. We will do whatever we can to help you out!

What if no one has written me back?
We're sorry to hear that you have not heard back from anyone yet! It's possible that the people you have contacted are taking a break, out of town, or perhaps not interested in corresponding with you at this time, whether because they've got their eye on someone else or because your unique brand of communication or attractiveness just isn't their cup of tea.

Don't take it personally, and don't be discouraged! The right one for you might have only just found the site, or hasn't yet gotten around to filling out the necessary details in their own profile. Also, remember that the process of finding a partner requires patience and persistence. Try putting more heart and soul into your profile. That often helps. And know that we're always glad to have you with us. : )

Can I tell if someone has read a message I have sent to them?
Yes! Just go to your Outbox (at the Message Center page). If someone has read your message, its subject will no longer be bold, and the text "Read Mail" will appear under the Date Sent column. If she or he has not read the message, your message's subject will still be bold, and the text will say "New Mail".

How do I know if someone has sent me a message on Gaia Soulmates?
When someone from Gaia Soulmates sends you a message, a little icon will pop up on your Favorites list, just next to this person's username. You will also receive an e-mail notification from us each time you receive a new message from someone.

What if I receive a message asking me for money?
Uh oh! If you receive a message that seems solicitous or spam-like, please let us know! Forward the message to our Support Team, and we'll take care of the rest. We thank you for helping us keep Gaia Soulmates a hassle-free community!

Saving Messages

How can I save a message while I am writing it?
It is not only possible to save messages while writing them, but a very good idea. Getting into the habit of saving while writing will protect you from that awful experience of losing a letter you have worked hard on, just because you have suddenly lost your internet connection, or realized that you made the very human mistake of forgetting to choose a 'receiver' before pressing the "Send" button.

There are two main buttons on your Message Center page. To save a message that you are working on, just click the one called "Save Message". To retrieve your message, click "Retrieve Saved Message". (When you send a message by pressing the "Send" button, your message is automatically saved. So if you think you have lost a message after trying to send it, there's a good chance it'll be retrievable. Just go to the Message Center page and click the "Retrieve Saved Message" button.)

Even if in the middle of writing your message, you decide to click on someone else's profile, your letter will still be saved and remain in its present text field – AS LONG AS you remember to click the "Save Message" button first.

Important: When you click the "Retrieve Saved Message" button, the text that will appear in the text field will be the text that was there the last time you pressed "Save Message." Not the text that came afterwards!

Important: To use this function, your browser must be set to receive Cookies.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

Basic Membership
If you feel like giving this a try, but are not sure you are ready to commit, consider becoming a Basic member.

Basic members of the Gaia Soulmates community can:

enjoy Gaia Soulmates for free!
have their own username and password
create an in-depth personal profile
be seen by the entire Gaia Soulmates community through their activated, in-depth profile
search the Gaia Soulmates community base as much as they like
use the Intention page, which lets them know of other members who match their wish-list
keep track of how many times their profile has been visited
receive and respond to messages (and stars) from Premium members of the Gaia Soulmates community

Basic Members cannot:

add people to their Favorites list (nor send little stars to the profiles of others)
initiate contact with other members of the Gaia Soulmates community

Premium Membership:
Premium members of the Gaia Soulmates community can:

have their own username and password
create an in-depth personal profile
be seen by the entire Gaia Soulmates community through their activated, in-depth profile
search the Gaia Soulmates community base as much as they like
use the Intention page, which lets them know of other members who match their wish-list
keep track of how many times their profile has been visited
receive messages (and stars) from other Premium members of the Gaia Soulmates community
add people to their Favorites list
send stars to the profiles of others and initiate contact with members of the Gaia Soulmates community

To become a Premium member, just click here and follow the instructions. :)

QUALITY PROFILES

What is a Quality Profile?
Profiles which are created with care and substance are considered Quality Profiles by our system. These profiles are highlighted in bold text on all search results.

Quality Profiles, at the very minimum, include thoughtful descriptions of the following:

Who you are, and what interests you;
How you experience your relationships to family and friends;
Who and what inspires you and makes you happy;
What qualities you appreciate in people, and what kind of person are you looking for.

(Profiles that contain no or very little text will not be considered Quality Profiles.)

What should I keep in mind when creating my profile?
Try to avoid using a string of keywords to describe yourself. Instead, use whole sentences. When you take the time to write things out, it is not only more pleasurable for people to read; it also tells them so much more about you.

In the end, regardless of your membership status or the number of pictures you have in your photo album, what really matters is what you have to say about yourself, your life, and what you are looking for in a partner.

Of course, we recommend all of our members to take advantage of what Premium Membership has to offer, and to have fun with the photo section of their profile. But most of all, we encourage people to fill up their essay section with heart and a spirit of authenticity and care. It pays off in the end!

How do I know if my profile is a Quality Profile?
You can see whether your profile is considered a Quality Profile by going to the My Profile page and looking in the "Your Profile Status" section. If yours is a Quality Profile, you will see the text, "Your profile has been recognized as a Quality Profile."

What if I think my profile should be a Quality Profile, but it isn't yet?
If you would like to have your profile considered for Quality Profile status, go to the My Profile page, and click on the "Preview your profile" link. There (as long as your profile has been filled out thoroughly!) you will see the text, "If you think this profile should be a Quality Profile, please click here." Just click on the link, and we'll take a look!

(If you can't find this link, it is probably because your profile does not yet have enough text in its essay section. Profiles must have a significant amount of text to be considered Quality Profiles.)

THE HEARTS

What are all of those hearts I see in my search results and in the menu bar (next to My Profile and Favorites)?
The hearts in your search results tell you how much text a person has put into their profile. The fuller the heart, the more rich a person's Essay section is likely to be.

The heart you see on the menu bar (next to My Profile and Favorites) is a reflection of your own profile. It shows how much text (or 'heart') you yourself have put into your Essay section. So whenever inspiration hits, fill that heart up! : )

DELETING, BLOCKING, REMOVING

How do I delete my profile from Gaia Soulmates?
You can delete your profile by going to the My Profile page. At the bottom of this page, you will see a link saying, "Delete my profile". Click the link, and your profile will be deleted. Note: If you are a Premium member, and you delete your profile, you will lose your Premium Membership. Remember, if you just need a break, you can always choose to hide your profile for a while.

How can I remove or block a profile from my Favorites list?
If you wish to remove a profile from your Favorites list, click the "Choose" box to the right of the profile, then press the "Remove chosen profile" button below. If you do not want this person to contact you again, press the "Block chosen profile" instead.

What is the difference between removing and blocking profiles from my Favorites list, and how does it all work?
If you remove someone from your Favorites list, you will automatically be removed from this person's list. However, you can always put the member back on your Favorites list, and he or she can do the same, at a later time. When you block someone, this is not possible.

If you block someone by accident, please contact our Support Team.

How can I take a break from Gaia Soulmates without deleting my profile?
We totally understand the need for an occasional break from this process! Simply go to the My Profile page, and in The Basics section, click "Hide my profile, so only people on my Favorites list can see it." Then click "Update/Save My Profile". That's it!

How can I change my username?
Simple. Go to the My Profile page and look for the "Profile Section". Once you are there, write your new username in the corresponding field, then click the "Update/Save Profile" button.

How can I change my e-mail address and/or password?
It's easy. Just go to the My Profile page and look for the "Private Info Section". There you can change your e-mail and/or password. Once you have made your changes, remember to click "Update Private Info"!

PRIVACY

How does the guest Search feature on the Home Page work? What if I don't want guests to find me?
At Gaia Soulmates, guests are very welcome to visit our Home Page and search through the profiles of our members. If you do not want guests to see your profile, we completely understand. Just go to the My Profile page, and towards the bottom half of the Basics section, check-off the box that says, "Only let Gaia Soulmates members see my profile."

Will my profile be visible to people doing a search outside of the Gaia Soulmates site?
No. Even if you choose to allow guests who come to Gaia Soulmates to see your profile, your profile will still remain safe and hidden from more general online (i.e. Google) searches.