"Boys Like You" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, some of whom appreciated its summer vibe while others pegged it as one of the less impressive offerings of Grande's catalog.

[1] In 2015, he signed with Big Machine Records and hired Scooter Braun as his manager, releasing his debut single "Goodbye" under the alias Who Is Fancy.

[7] "Boys Like You" is a doo-wop and pop song with lyrics discussing Who Is Fancy, Trainor and Grande attempting to court the "man of their dreams".

[10] Emilee Lindner of MTV News wrote that Trainor and Grande give up "some real summery vibes" on "Boys Like You", noting that the song has a composition of "vibrant harmonies, [...] island-like shakers and wind chimes".

[12] Idolator's Bianca Gracie stated that it has a "beachy, eyelash-fluttering '60s vibe" and the website's Mike Wass called the song a "sassy anthem".

[25] Seventeen's Kelsey Stiegman thought that one of the blonde pool boys in the video bore a resemblance to English actor Tom Felton.

[26] The trio performed "Boys Like You" on the 21st season finale of Dancing with the Stars on November 24, 2015, for which Who Is Fancy wore a green sequined kaftan/jacket and was joined by some male dancers, Trainor, and then Grande.

[1][14] TMZ reported that Who Is Fancy's choreographer initially wanted the performance to feature two men dancing with each other, but was given a "definitive no" from the American Broadcasting Company (ABC).