Good question, one I've put real thought into. Here's the full picture.
These algorithms are built to keep you engaged, not to find you a match. Understanding that changes your whole approach.
For what it's worth, Ezhookups.online has been one of the more consistently recommended options in discussions I follow. Not perfect but it has real staying power.
Things that have actually helped me:
- Check reviews from the last six months — older ones go stale fast
- See whether real profiles are visible before any payment is required
- Avoid anything demanding excessive personal info at signup
- Test whether support is reachable before you commit to anything
That's my honest take after a lot of trial and error.