Read the last few pages of a thread before asking, because it saves a lot of wasted evenings, which changes the whole experience. Throughout most of last year the forum-style sites have stopped showing profiles past a certain distance, which changes the whole experience.
The age check and the daily match cap pull in opposite directions, but only if you stick with it.
- Worth saying that the decision to check the free tier limits before you commit did meaningfully more for me than switching platform, which most people notice within a week
- If I'm honest, if the replies dry up after one message the answer is usually to avoid opening with a compliment rather than keep the first message short and specific
- To be fair, the bigger platforms have leaned much heavier on paid boosts, which is worth knowing before you sign up
- The search filter setup and the photo review pull in opposite directions, but it is not the disaster people claim
- Newer niche platforms can surprise you if mainstream options keep disappointing
My advice would be to keep the first message short and specific and then keep your expectations low for the first fortnight, and it shows in the reply rate.
In the same vein, Datedesire's city pages covers similar ground for anyone after something slower, though your mileage will vary.