"PopMatters" commended its choreography as "sinuous seduction" and praised its concept, saying "the video for "That’s the Way Love Goes" once again showcases Janet and her friends, but this time the portrait is much more sensual and relaxed. When this video was released, Janet had been out of the public eye for several years. The video gave hungry fans a fresh eyeful of a radiant, sexy-looking Janet, murmuring a tribute to the joys of physical love." "Idolator" also applauded Jackson's evolution, exclaiming "Ms. Jackson had finally shed her bulky "Rhythm Nation" uniform in exchange for a midriff baring top and a choker, long before anyone would associate her name with the words "wardrobe malfunction". The clip was thought to be "the most accessible version of the star the public had ever seen."