Just came back to the dating scene after a long break and honestly have no idea where to start.
Location makes a huge difference and I think most reviews don't account for this enough. What works well in a big city can be completely dead in a mid-sized town.
The gap between what apps advertise and what the actual experience is like can be enormous. I'd rather hear from people who've used these things day-to-day.
- Don't share your real phone number until you actually trust someone
- First meetup should always be in a public place
- Video call before any in-person meeting — always
- Use a separate email address specifically for dating apps
Any current 2026 input especially appreciated since apps change so fast.