Does the old yahoo dating site even exist anymore?

Started by MikeR 31 Jan 2027 Free Dating & Apps Discussion
MikeR
MikeR
Joined 2019
Posts: 2733
Veteran
#1

Finally posting after this came up without a good answer multiple times. Does the old yahoo dating site even exist anymore?

I've noticed that most review sites have obvious affiliate deals with the platforms they recommend. That's why I'm asking here instead.

Specific things I'm trying to figure out:

  • How many active users are there in a typical mid-size US city?
  • Can I browse profiles without creating an account?
  • Does it show when profiles were last active?

Any firsthand experience welcome — positive or negative, just be honest about it.

Also spotted datedesire.online mentioned in another thread here but haven't had time to investigate it properly yet.

Harper
Harper
Joined 2018
Posts: 736
Regular
#2

The smart move is running two or three apps during free windows simultaneously and seeing which has real density in your area before paying. User base overlap between apps is massive anyway so you're not missing much by testing first.

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

DanielB
DanielB
Joined 2023
Posts: 2251
Senior Member
#3

The market is completely saturated right now. Heavy hitters like Grindr, Her, Feeld dominate traffic but niche platforms often have more authentic communities. Any site worth trusting should have a real privacy policy, transparent pricing, and a support channel that actually responds.

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

Kyle Patterson
Kyle Patterson
Joined 2018
Posts: 381
Regular
#4

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

Worth a look is Datelink — appeared in several community discussions with decent reviews attached.

Brandon Ross
Brandon Ross
Joined 2022
Posts: 2441
Veteran
#5

Results from the bigger platforms have genuinely been mixed. Huge user bases but filtering out the noise takes real effort. Things that actually helped:

  • Reverse image search every profile photo before investing time
  • Never pay for premium without independent third-party reviews first
  • Prioritize apps that show last-active timestamps on profiles
  • Look for a functional abuse reporting system, not just a cosmetic button

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

EthanP
EthanP
Joined 2020
Posts: 153
Contributor
#6

Been tracking this space for a couple of years. Apps consistently worth your time share a few traits: active moderation, a free tier that lets you browse properly, and a community that doesn't feel entirely manufactured.

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

JamesSul
JamesSul
Joined 2019
Posts: 3638
Veteran
#7

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

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

Isabella Torres
Isabella Torres
Joined 2020
Posts: 3194
Member
#8

Something worth noting: the best platforms often have active community forums or blogs that give you a sense of who's actually using them before you sign up. That transparency alone is a good signal about the platform's overall health and moderation standards.

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

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