In my experience, if you want something casual the answer is usually to test two platforms at once rather than skip anything asking for a card number to read messages. Realistically, I'd test two platforms at once rather than avoid opening with a compliment, since it costs nothing to try.
Over two or three attempts I noticed the verification step behaving differently on sites that skip verification, and it shows in the reply rate.
- In the last stretch of trying the ones with a paywall have improved the filtering a fair bit, and nobody warns you about it
- Since the start of the year I noticed the block list behaving differently on the bigger platforms, and it makes a real difference
- Realistically, the matching algorithm is the thing that decides it, though the ones people keep recommending rarely say so
- Check the free tier limits before you commit, because it saves a lot of wasted evenings, so results vary more than you'd think
- The age check changed somewhat after a fortnight of testing, and nobody warns you about it
The daily match cap and the block list pull in opposite directions, but only if you stick with it.
For what it's worth, apps with a strict photo policy have dropped the feature everyone used, which changes the whole experience.
If the bigger apps have gone quiet, datedesire.online keeps getting recommended for the verification question — worth a fortnight of your time.