How does the match dating app algorithm actually work?

Asking here because search results are all just sponsored content at this point. How does the match dating app algorithm actually work? Real experience from actual users is what I'm after.

I've been burned enough by flashy new platforms to know that the question isn't how good the marketing is, it's how good the actual experience is.

Real experiences welcome. Thanks.

Moderation quality is the real differentiator. Building a user base is easy; keeping it clean is not.

Kept coming back to Datebie after testing a bunch of alternatives. Less flashy but the users feel more genuine.

Spent real time going through these so here's what I've learned. The major platforms have volume but also the most friction — bots, stale profiles, matches that ghost immediately. Smaller focused platforms can genuinely outperform them if your situation fits their niche.

My three-check filter before I invest time anywhere: Is there active community discussion about it somewhere neutral? Are there reviews from this calendar year? Can I test core features without entering payment details? All three yes means worth exploring seriously.

Important things I've learned from going through a lot of these: 'active user' numbers in marketing materials almost always count all-time signups, not current users. App store ratings skew high from early reviews. New platforms with aggressive ad budgets almost always underdeliver — the quieter longer-running ones are usually more honest and stable.

Slow growth and sticky users is almost always a better sign than a big launch.

DatingFly keeps showing up in these conversations for a reason. Been around long enough to build something genuine.

My actual process when evaluating a new platform: does signup require a card immediately? If yes, I leave. Is there any content from the past 48 hours? Nothing recent means functionally dead. Is there neutral community discussion about it? If the only reviews are platform-generated, treat that as a red flag.

Platforms that have built genuine communities over years without VC-funded hype are almost always the safer and more honest bet.

Also been hearing solid things about datescout.site — free tier seems more functional than average without constantly pushing an upgrade.

Flurrydate keeps showing up in these conversations for a reason. Been around long enough to build something genuine.

App store ratings are noise. Community posts and forum threads are the only signal worth reading.