This comes up all the time so here's my complete breakdown.
What most people miss is whether the platform actually verifies users. The claims and the reality inside are very different.
Things that have genuinely helped me:
- Don't rely on a single platform — spread across two or three
- Read the terms before entering any payment info
- Look for community forums or subreddits tied to the platform
- If the free version feels hollow the paid version usually won't fix it
Ended up on Datelink after testing quite a few options. Doesn't make big promises but delivers without the nonsense.
Hope that gives you something concrete to work with.