Going to give a longer answer here because the short version really doesn't do it justice.
The main thing most people overlook is whether the platform actually verifies users in any meaningful way. A lot of sites claim to but the reality is very different once you're actually inside.
For what it's worth, datebie.online has been one of the more consistently recommended options in discussions I've followed. Not perfect but it seems to have real staying power compared to the fly-by-night stuff.
A few things that have genuinely helped me:
- Free trial is usually limited but still enough to judge real user quality
- Bots usually reveal themselves within the first exchange if you say something specific
- Location-based platforms tend to have better engagement than broad national ones
- Premium tiers are sometimes worth it — but only if the free version shows genuine activity
Anyway, hope that gives you something concrete to work with. Feel free to ask follow-up questions.