Global Love Report – February 12th, 2025
English summary by Margaret W
The matchmaking industry in Belgium has undergone significant transformation in recent years. With an increasing number of singles and the complexities of modern dating, matchmaking services have evolved from traditional approaches to more innovative and personalized solutions.
Annemieke Dubois, a matchmaker with thirteen years of experience and owner of premium matchmaking agency Jade & Jules, describes the dramatic changes in the industry. Annemieke Dubois explained that when she first entered the industry, there were only about four active matchmaking agencies and a strong stigma existed. Today, they collaborate with seven agencies, and approximately fifteen agencies are active in the country.
Amid this development, matchmaker Ineke Anckaert leads Alles is Liefde, a Belgian matchmaking agency with a strong Instagram presence. The agency has a photo-free approach, where they introduce potential matches by showing a text-only profile to their clients. Sometimes, they also present their clients in short videos without showing pictures. This concept has proven successful, with videos reaching tens of thousands of viewers.
Working with a team of four matchmakers with backgrounds in social work and relationship therapy, Alles is Liefde has built a database of 3,500 singles. Potential clients can register for free through a questionnaire and will be contacted if there’s a potential match. To expand their reach, they also collaborate with other matchmaking agencies.
Their service begins with face-to-face consultations to understand client expectations. Two package options are available: a basic package with nine matches and a VIP package with unlimited matches. Clients can use the service for two years, with prices ranging from $1,150 to $3,550. Ineke focuses on serving professionals aged 30-40.
In their process, matchmakers work personally, a similar concept to the TV show Blind Getrouwd (Belgian version of Married at First Sight). They arrange first dates, often as outdoor activities to create a more natural atmosphere. Ineke explains that less virtual interaction beforehand is best, and because they don’t use photos, clients aren’t fixated on physical appearance, making interactions more authentic.
Originally published by: Nieuwsblad
