This really showcases the perverse incentives of the profit motive, how it corrupts even what humans consider the most precious thing. And this is why I will never use a commercial dating app. It's FOSS or bust. I'll just make friends and find people other ways.

Even a subscription to a dating app very obviously shows where their incentives lie. How can a subscription ever work when the goal is to find someone.. and stop using the app? They are not incentivized to have people find someone. They are incentivized to keep people desperate. They are incentivized to not have them find anyone, and keep telling them "it's just chance! You'll find someone eventually! You don't want to die alone.. do you? You do not want to be a sad little loser without anyone.. do you? We even have these paid things to increase your chances...."

It's downright fucked up.

Not to even mention the whole gross things like having to "market yourself". Removing all of humanity from the experience and instead treating yourself like a fucking product.

And the truth is, in my experience.. it's really not that hard to meet people if you just work on becoming a better person (which isn't easy, to be fair, but necessary, especially since you will struggle with getting much out of love if you don't), and are actually getting out there. Just meeting new people and friends without much expectations. Whether it's on a friend's party, board game night at your university, or whatever interests you have. Because too often I think people just don't meet many new people in general, and just treat getting a partner like a goal, instead of forming new connections. Eventually you may meet someone you click with. After all, people of your preferred gender(s) are looking for others too.