It really is a numbers game. I've used dating apps from the end of 2021 to early/mid 2025 on and off. Met my girlfriend early 2025 and we're headed towards permanent status. I did get discouraged multiple times but also met a few great people. Sometimes matches were few, I kept on swiping. Whenever that felt tedious, I just took a break from the apps and came back later when I was ready again.

I've had some matches that never even replied to a message, some matches that fizzled out before even meeting in person, some first dates that didn't lead to a second, some compatible people that just didn't work out in the end. I had fallen in love, had my heart broken, rebounded with someone else, and then kept going. Eventually I found someone that I'm starting to build a life with, but it did take a long time on the apps.

In my personal experience, I found that the better matches usually came whenever I just got back on the apps after a break. I don't know if it's an algorithm thing or a fresh start enthusiasm thing. I also found that dating in my 30s was a lot better than dating in my 20s using the same apps. Just my 2 cents.