They absolutely have gotten way, way, way worse. I deleted all of them, despite 1.) being single, 2.) wanting to date again, and 3.) having met multiple dates on multiple apps in the past. They’re simply not like they used to be, in part because of Match Group buying them all up and in part because the other non-Match Group options followed that same “successful” model.

It honestly feels like the only way to succeed is to pay, but EVEN THEN, using Tinder for example, you’ll still be pestered to pay and most of the likes they suddenly turn on once you pay will be fake, bot profiles. To an absurd degree these days. And the prices are outrageous, with many of them having the gall to charge WEEKLY now. It’s not a you thing, it’s a “the apps really, really suck” thing. There’s a reason so many people, men and women alike, complain about these apps and insist they must “only see the worst matches.” Because they almost certainly do. If they send you your best matches, you wouldn’t subscribe anymore. If they send you bad matches, plus “good” fake matches, they think it’ll keep your hopes up. Except it’s obvious when all the fake profiles look the same, are exactly 99 miles away from you, etc…etc…