This has been on my mind for a while and I couldn't find a clear answer anywhere else. Most of the old-school sites have really gone to pay-to-play models which is frustrating.
Location matters a ton. Dense urban areas have way more options than suburbs or rural spots. Real talk — the female-to-male ratio on most platforms is still pretty skewed no matter what they advertise.
A few things worth keeping in mind:
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.
- Public first meetings are non-negotiable. Coffee shop, bar, food court — somewhere visible.
- A VPN is helpful for general privacy but not a complete solution for anonymity online.