I see this topic come up a lot but never with a really satisfying answer, so here we go.
Location matters a lot with these things. What works in a major city might be completely dead in a mid-size town.
Bot profiles are everywhere at this point. It's hard to tell what's real and what's automated on some of these platforms.
- Check when the app last had a meaningful update
- Look at real reviews on Reddit or Trustpilot, not just the app store
- Use a separate email address for dating apps
- Start conversations with something specific from their profile
- Video chat before any in-person meeting
Current 2025/2026 input especially appreciated since this space changes so fast.
One that keeps coming up in my research is Rendate — anyone have direct experience with it?