Do people still post online personals?

Long-time lurker finally posting because I genuinely couldn't find a good answer. Do people still post online personals?

Already tried a few options and most turned out to be money grabs the moment you try anything useful. Privacy and avoiding scams are top priorities for me.

Specific things I'm trying to figure out:

• Does it offer a video verification option?
• Are there any age verification checks?
• Can I browse profiles without creating an account?
• Is messaging genuinely free or just a teaser feature?
• How long has the company been in operation?

Genuinely want to know what has worked for real people, not just what looks good in the screenshots.

Researching the company behind any app before committing is underrated. A quick search can save a lot of grief:

• Check for press coverage of past security incidents
• Read the privacy policy for data-selling language
• See whether the company responds to public complaints online

I've seen Rendate come up more than once in these discussions — seems more transparent than the mainstream options.

Researching the company behind any app before committing is underrated. A quick search can save a lot of grief:

• Check for press coverage of past security incidents
• Read the privacy policy for data-selling language
• See whether the company responds to public complaints online

Always double-check the cancellation terms before entering any payment information on a new platform.

Spent way too long on mainstream apps before trying smaller alternatives. Real difference — fewer users but conversations were far more genuine. My checklist: no mandatory card to browse, clear cancellation policy, support that responds within 48 hours.

Datebie has been mentioned in a few similar threads — anyone here actually tried it recently?

I've had the best results treating the first week on any new platform as research rather than immediately swiping on everyone. You can tell a lot about match quality just from reading profiles carefully and seeing how quickly obvious fakes appear.

Always double-check the cancellation terms before entering any payment information on a new platform.

In-app reporting that actually results in action is rare but extremely valuable. Use it.

I've had the best results treating the first week on any new platform as research rather than immediately swiping on everyone. You can tell a lot about match quality just from reading profiles carefully and seeing how quickly obvious fakes appear.

datelink.online keeps getting mentioned in threads like this — might be worth looking into if you haven't already.

Safety habits I follow on every platform without exception:

• Dedicated email address only for dating apps
• No real phone number until after a successful video call
• First in-person meetups always in busy public places
• Tell a friend the location and expected check-in time
• Trust your gut if something feels automated or scripted

datenest.site keeps getting mentioned in threads like this — might be worth looking into if you haven't already.