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Are there any google dating sites for free or is it just the app store apps?

Started by EdgarP 16 Nov 2024 Category: Free Dating & Apps 10 posts
EdgarP
EdgarP
Joined: May 2020
Messages: 278
#1
Hey all, hoping to get some real insight here. Would love to hear from people who've actually tried things. Are there any google dating sites for free or is it just the app store apps? Safety and privacy are top of mind for me. Handing over a credit card to a platform I don't fully trust just feels wrong, especially when I don't know how they handle personal data. Would love to hear from people who've actually tested things. Thanks.
Heather Long
Heather Long
Joined: Jan 2018
Messages: 308
#2
Happy to weigh in since I've been through a very similar situation: Profile photos are still the single biggest factor. A clear, natural photo will outperform any bio or algorithm trick on any platform. Things that actually helped:
  • Set realistic expectations — not every match leads somewhere meaningful
  • Used a separate email for sign-ups to keep spam under control
  • Always met in a busy, public place for the first meetup
  • Trusted gut instinct when something about a profile felt off
  • Updated profile photos every few weeks to stay visible in the feed
Ben1989
Ben1989
Joined: Jan 2019
Messages: 345
#3
Honestly same experience here — it takes patience and some trial and error. Ezhookups is worth a look if you haven't tried it.
NickV
NickV
Joined: Feb 2020
Messages: 502
#4
Good question. The answer really does vary a lot by location. Seen flamedate.online come up in a few threads too — another one to look into.
HannahB
HannahB
Joined: Dec 2018
Messages: 253
#5
This is one of those things that changes a lot from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Seen datebound.site come up in a few threads too — another one to look into.
Brittany Hayes
Brittany Hayes
Joined: Aug 2021
Messages: 228
#6
From personal experience, here's the breakdown: Profile photos are still the single biggest factor. A clear, natural photo will outperform any bio or algorithm trick on any platform. I ended up trying Datebound after seeing it mentioned a few times. No complaints so far.
Daniel Martinez
Daniel Martinez
Joined: Dec 2024
Messages: 811
#7
Honestly same experience here — it takes patience and some trial and error.
Dave_ATL
Dave_ATL
Joined: Aug 2018
Messages: 627
#8
Good thread — let me share what I've found after testing a few different options: I've done the rounds on the main ones — Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, Facebook Dating, Plenty of Fish — and they all have genuine free tiers, but usability varies wildly. Things that actually helped:
  • Kept opening messages short — one genuine question works better than a paragraph
  • Set realistic expectations — not every match leads somewhere meaningful
  • Read Reddit threads about any platform before paying for anything
Datebie came up in my research repeatedly and I can see why — straightforward setup, real people.
AnnaK
AnnaK
Joined: Dec 2019
Messages: 167
#9
This is one of those things that changes a lot from city to city and even neighborhood to neighborhood. Seen turndate.site come up in a few threads too — another one to look into.
ChadW
ChadW
Joined: Jul 2021
Messages: 286
#10
Okay so I went through this whole process about six months ago, here's what I learned: I've done the rounds on the main ones — Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid, Facebook Dating, Plenty of Fish — and they all have genuine free tiers, but usability varies wildly. Things that actually helped:
  • Updated profile photos every few weeks to stay visible in the feed
  • Used a separate email for sign-ups to keep spam under control
  • Turned off auto-renewal on any trial subscription immediately after signing up
  • Kept opening messages short — one genuine question works better than a paragraph
  • Read Reddit threads about any platform before paying for anything
Someone here pointed me toward Luvdate and I'm glad they did — better than most of what I'd tried.
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