The Blog Spot
Matchmaking & Dating Advice From The Crush Confidential
Straight answers on matchmaking, dating strategy, and what it actually takes to build a relationship. Written by Amanda Hood, MBA, CLC, founder of The Crush Confidential. Here you will find what matchmakers really cost, how a matchmaker-arranged date works, how to read your local dating market, and what to do after the first date.
Featured in TIME: Why Relationship Curation Is the Future of Dating
Access went up. Clarity did not. The Crush Confidential was featured in TIME on relationship curation — and why most connections end long before compatibility ever gets a chance to show up.
Quiz Dating Is Trending. Here’s Why a Personality Test Still Isn’t a Matchmaker
Search interest in “quiz dating” is up 200% as singles trade the swipe for a questionnaire. It’s a real improvement over blind matching, but a quiz can only tell you what someone says about themselves. It can’t verify any of it. Here’s what question-based apps get right, where they still fall short, and why the gap they leave is exactly what a real matchmaker fills.
LinkedIn Dating Is Real — And It’s Not the Answer
A new survey shows 1 in 8 US workers has dated someone met on LinkedIn. Here’s why professional profiles feel safer than dating apps, and where the trend still fails singles.
Are Dating Apps Dead? What Singles Are Doing Instead.
Dating apps are losing users and trust fast. See why singles are quitting Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble — and what they’re doing instead in 2026.
Introducing The Elevated Circle: A New Way to Date Beyond the Apps
https://youtube.com/shorts/sr4jgWhSB1g?si=p4E5n3_vnJ4rw1mS For years, singles have been told the answer to finding love is simple: Download another app. Create
SilverSingles and EliteSingles Users Are Being Left Behind
Why Boutique Matchmaking May Be the Future of Dating for seniors
Questions
Matchmaking & Dating FAQ
Who writes The Crush Confidential blog?
Amanda Hood, MBA, CLC, founder and CEO of The Crush Confidential. She is a former college professor, the creator of the 3-Date Model, and was named a Top 10 Matchmaker by Maxim. Her work has also been featured on TIME.com.
How much does a matchmaker cost?
Anywhere from about $1,000 to $500,000. The spread depends on the firm, the level of service, and how much recruiting your search requires. Full-service packages at The Crush Confidential begin at $25,000. The full breakdown is in How Much Does a Matchmaker Cost in 2026?
Is hiring a matchmaker worth it?
For some people, yes. For others, no. It comes down to four things: what your time is worth, how ready you actually are, whether you can take honest feedback, and what you are comparing the cost to. We run the numbers in Is a Matchmaker Worth It?
What is the difference between a matchmaker, a dating coach, and a dating app?
An app gives you a pool and leaves the sorting to you. A coach builds your skills but never introduces you to anyone. A matchmaker selects and vets introductions for you. We do matchmaking and coaching together, for the same client. Read the full comparison.
How do I work with The Crush Confidential?
Three ways in. Apply for matchmaking for full-service curation and coaching. Join The Elevated Circle for lifetime visibility across our matchmaker network. Or join the free Rolodex to be considered for client introductions.