The matching algorithm changed meaningfully since the start of the year, which changes the whole experience. Although the ones people keep recommending look similar, the distance radius differs somewhat, but it is not the disaster people claim.
Judging by my own inbox, if you keep getting the same profiles the answer is usually to move to a proper conversation quickly rather than use a recent photo with your face clear.
- Although people disagree here, the step that matters most is to skip anything asking for a card number to read messages: it stops you blaming the app for the profile
- I stuck with the bigger platforms after a fortnight of testing, and the honest result was that the reporting system mattered somewhat most
- My advice would be to use a recent photo with your face clear and then widen the distance radius early on, which most people notice within a week
- When you keep matching but never talking, the niche ones tend to feel a fair bit worse than they are, so results vary more than you'd think
- Despite the fact that sites that skip verification look similar, the profile prompt differs slightly, which explains a lot of the complaints here
If I'm honest, if you are only browsing free options the answer is usually to keep the first message short and specific rather than check the free tier limits before you commit.
For what it's worth, flamedate moves faster on the verification question — worth a fortnight of your time.