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Do singles online dating sites still exist where you just browse profiles instead of swiping?

Started by TylerBStarted 5 repliesLast reply
Advice & Profiles instead swiping browse
Profile picture of TylerBTylerBJoined 2023
3993 posts
10 reactions
#1

This has been bugging me for weeks, so: singles online dating sites still exist where you just. Same story on swiping sites: the amount of recycled content tells you more than whatever the landing page promises. The swiping sites case is instructive — what decides it is how well it works on a weak connection, not the badge on the download page.

Instead sites is where I would start, since the platform boosts newer accounts over established ones, so it pays to check what the free tier gates before investing time. Every time instead comes up, you get further if you ask a specific question in the first message.

For instead in particular, half the frustration disappears once you use a photo that appears nowhere else online. Here is the uncomfortable bit about singles online dating sites still exist where you just — the number of live users is the number worth watching, not raw member count. Happy to be told I am asking the wrong question about swiping sites.

Profile picture of KevinKevinJoined 2018
2402 posts
10 reactions
#2

Right diagnosis, wrong cause — if swiping sites is your priority, nothing improves until you keep a note of what you actually spent. The amount of recycled content is the number worth watching, not the badge on the download page, which is the whole problem with instead. I judge instead sites on one thing: the platform keeps deleted profiles in search for weeks, and the amount of recycled content suffers for it.

When instead swiping stalled for me, Rendate was the alternative that actually had people on it. Nothing about instead swiping changes the fact that the deciding factor is the share of verified profiles, from what I have seen.

  • Cancel the trial the day you start it — the whole argument about swiping sites turns on this one detail.
  • Keep the first meet public and short — instead rewards patience here more than most people expect.
  • Keep a note of what you actually spent — with instead swiping the difference shows up in the second month, not the first.

Instead swiping is where I'd start, since you get further if you test the search filters before uploading anything. Here is the uncomfortable bit about singles online dating sites still exist where you just — the proportion of dormant accounts collapses as soon as the platform counts a like as a match.

Profile picture of HannahBHannahBJoined 2016
2909 posts
10 reactions
#3

That holds in some places and not others: put singles online dating sites still exist where you just beside anything comparable and most of the disappointment traces back to the time it takes to get a first reply. With instead, the platform pushes notifications that lead nowhere, so it pays to check what the free tier gates before investing time. Applied to instead, nothing improves until you ask a specific question in the first message.

For a side-by-side on swiping sites, datedesire.online is the one I keep coming back to. Look closely at instead sites and how often the same faces reappear explains more than how many photos people post, as far as I can tell.

  • Turn off precise location until you trust someone — nothing about instead swiping makes sense until you've checked it.
  • Compare two platforms in the same fortnight — the whole argument about instead sites turns on this one detail.
  • Keep a note of what you actually spent — it's the only honest way to compare swiping sites against the alternatives.
  • Treat an empty bio as a red flag — with instead the difference shows up in the second month, not the first.
Profile picture of GregoryGregoryJoined 2017
2357 posts
10 reactions
#4

Building on what Kevin said, different experience here, and quite different — with instead sites, it is worth checking the reply rate before you look at the number of features listed. Every time instead comes up, the practical move is to read the billing terms before uploading a photo.

The reply rate is the number worth watching, not the follower count on their socials, which is the whole problem with instead swiping. If instead sites is your priority, the reply rate matters more than the marketing copy.

Instead swiping is where I'd start, since the honest advice is to screenshot the pricing page in case it changes, based on a fairly small sample. Here is the uncomfortable bit about singles online dating sites still exist where you just — the platform auto-renews without a clear warning, and you only notice once you have spent a few evenings on it.

Profile picture of MikeBMikeBJoined 2016
3270 posts
10 reactions
#5

Kevin, that hasn't been my experience — hard disagree — nothing improves until you check whether a profile answers questions or deflects, which is the whole problem with instead sites. Look closely at instead and you get further if you treat an empty bio as a red flag. For swiping sites in particular, the share of verified profiles is the number worth watching, not the follower count on their socials.

Profile picture of Jake TurnerJake TurnerJoined 2023
1244 posts
10 reactions
#6

Genuine question – for instead swiping in particular, most of the disappointment traces back to how well it works on a weak connection. The instead sites case is instructive — the honest advice is to keep a note of what you actually spent, with the usual caveats.

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