MassageExchange

Pros:

1. Can pay by subscription or by contact.
2. If you upload a primary photo, they are very specific that it's a large clear face pic.

Cons:

1. Regarding #2 above, they don't require you to upload a primary photo... so a LOT of blank profiles.
2. I realize there are a LOT of people that probably like knowing they are viewed. To me, it means nothing, a complete waste of time. I view other profiles like I look at new clothes in the store... I pick up a lot, look it over, and put it back on the rack. It doesn't mean I'm shy, coy, or playing hard to get. So sending other people notices that I viewed them is very annoying to me. In addition, receiving notices that others have viewed me, is just as annoying. If sites are going to do this, they should at least allow you to control these outgoing and incoming "viewed" notices.
3. Right after I created a profile but before I uploaded a picture I immediately received an email request by a very goodlooking young guy to upload a picture (I'm gay btw). I now realize and highly suspect it was a FAKE profile and the request was automatically generated by the system. I don't like sites that mess with your feelings and your head.

Massage Exchange is a good idea in principle, in practice the reality produces mixed returns on your time and subscription investment. That said it purely depends on people's willingness to be pro-active and where you are geographically.

Some fare better, some not so well. I've been a member for about 3 years, subscribing as a Gold member when finances allow. Other times when my priorities are elsewhere I revert to Free member level to keep tabs on who's around.

On the Yin side there are good people on the site who have studied and earnt their paperwork, some very gifted amateurs and beginners and students eager to learn. On the Yang side there are also flakers, timewasters, freeloaders and the downright ignorant who blatantly ignore emails that paying members send out in good faith. These idiots are being subsidised by those of us who are passionate about what we do.

Not having a pop at the team in any way, it's the members that make or break a site. I'm not pulling my punches and I speak my mind.

I've had about 6 exchanges in that timeframe. On the positive that's 6 more than I would have had if I hadn't signed up. I have an exchange lined up next week so that's a good thing.

Also, consider that exchange doesn't always mean massage directly. There is the exchange of knowledge and information from all over the world and I have amassed some lovely contacts to bounce ideas and approaches and discussions with, so in that respect the value is more subtle and intrinsic.

I have used massageexchange.com for close to 6 years, in both New York and California. I have found it to be a convenient and expedient way to find like-minded enthusiasts of reciprocal massage and sensual touch.

Simply put, you can look at people's profiles, their self-assessed skill level, and their experience level, and choose whether or not to contact them for a massage. On the other end of that same equation, you can be the recipient of a request for a massage exchange from a member who has been intrigued by your profile, and you can choose, based on their profile, whether or not to accept the offer of an exchange.

The typical exchange occurs in one of the two people's homes, and the typical flow is one person receives a massage, and the other administers it. Then the situations are reversed. Of course, the dynamic is malleable and can be modified as circumstances dictate.

I probably set up an exchange on this site about once a month at most. Nevertheless it has almost always been a positive experience. Conversations are held via email onsite as to what expectations are, what expertise levels are sought, what the balance of sensual and therapeutic touch will be. By the time the massage begins, each person has a pretty good idea of what to expect and how the next hour or so will transpire.

There are many people on the site who have been active for quite some time, and that is perhaps the best testament that it works well for those who use it. The only way to know if it works for you is to give it a try. You may be surprised how satisfying it can be, and the your own expertise in administering massages will increase significantly with every new exchange you experience.

After reading other reviews, I would add to this review that the free service is nearly worthless. I'd encourage anyone to give the site a trial run on the paid subscription level so that you can truly enjoy the benefits of mutual massage. The free service will only frustrate your efforts and probably turn you away from what is a very handy tool for discretely finding local people to enjoy both sensual and therapeutic touch with.