[john70t]

A majority of the 'dating sites' are owned by the same people.
The grift is to keep customers online, wasting time, and paying for as long as possible. Meat market. Numbers.

Many of the high value profiles are simply fake to keep the desperate peak interest up. Pavlov effect.
Many are scammer groups: Have a few conversations. Express interest. Establish bond. Have some crisis requiring funds. Millions of people scammed but they don't want to talk about it out of shame.
This will become exponential worse with A.I. and profiles.

If you go that route, keep it local and meet for coffee in a safe place soon.
It either works or it don't. Don't get strung along indefinitely.
80% of the women are chasing the top 20% men and have pure fantasy expectations with little to offer. That silver platter.

Through friends and organizations is a better venue imo.