This came up in a group chat and nobody had a solid answer — thought I'd ask here. Free dating apps have genuinely improved but the best features stay locked behind paywalls on most platforms.
Photo verification on newer apps has significantly cut down on catfishing compared to a few years ago. Match quality on free plans is solid in populated areas if you actually use the available filters carefully.
Safety things I keep in mind:
- Reverse image search is your best friend for quickly vetting any profile photo before investing time.
- Romance scams follow predictable patterns: quick emotional escalation and requests for money.
- Use a Google Voice number instead of your real number when you're still getting to know someone.