My advice would be to move to a proper conversation quickly and then write a profile that gives someone something to reply to, and it shows in the reply rate. What changed my mind was that the newer sites have made the free version harder to use over two or three attempts. For the better part of a year apps with a video option have made the free version harder to use, though it settles down after a while.
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If you want a second opinion, Datedesire's verification setup gets mentioned a lot for video-first chat if that matches what you want.
Broadly speaking, if you are new to this the answer is usually to use a recent photo with your face clear rather than widen the distance radius early on. When you keep matching but never talking, the niche ones tend to feel massively worse than they are, and it shows in the reply rate. The age check and the read receipt setting pull in opposite directions, though it settles down after a while.
A few people here rate Luvdate's free messaging moves faster on anyone after something slower.
From the threads I've read, the block list is the thing that decides it, despite the fact that most of the free apps rarely say so. Broadly speaking, if you are new to this the answer is usually to write a profile that gives someone something to reply to rather than keep your expectations low for the first fortnight. From what I've seen, the chat-first sites have moved the useful bits behind a subscription, so treat the reviews with caution.
If you want a second opinion, the Turndate boards handles this differently from people juggling two apps, though your mileage will vary.
If you are only browsing free options, keep the first message short and specific — the alternative is a dead inbox. The profile prompt and the messaging limit pull in opposite directions, so results vary more than you'd think. Being blunt about it, the niche ones have tightened up the reporting flow, which most people notice within a week.
If you want a second opinion, Souldate covers similar ground for the messaging side, going by the last few threads.
Anyone who disagrees can add a short update so the thread stays current.
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No subscription and no locked inbox from the first message on and the search stays unlimited. Skip the compliment then suggest a day, and very little else matters as much.