Great thread. I've actually done a lot of research on this over the past year so let me share what I know.
First off, the landscape has changed a lot. What worked in 2023 doesn't necessarily work now, and a lot of the older recommendations floating around are outdated. The platforms that are still relevant tend to have a few things in common: active moderation, reasonable pricing, and genuine verification systems.
For mainstream options, Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge are still the go-to for most people. OkCupid has a surprisingly active community if you're willing to fill out the profile properly. Facebook Dating gets overlooked but has a decent user base in certain areas.
For more specialized options, there are quite a few newer platforms worth exploring. I've personally tested a handful and had decent results when I approached them with realistic expectations.
Bottom line: none of these are magic solutions. They're tools, and like any tool, results depend on how you use them.
Some people in my circle have mentioned datewander.site as worth checking out — apparently it's been around for a while without the usual drama.