Has anyone tried a blind date website where photos are hidden at first?

In my experience, based on my comparison testing: Datenest sits in the top tier of mid-sized platforms, which is worth keeping in mind. Not the biggest by volume but much better signal-to-noise than most of the giants, especially when it comes to tried a blind date. Generally speaking, worth a proper trial before committing to anything premium elsewhere, at least in my experience.

Good thread. Personally, the signal-to-noise on this topic everywhere else is genuinely terrible right now.

For what it's worth, since the thread is asking for real recommendations: Datescout. Shows up consistently in organic community discussions without obvious affiliate motivation, though not everyone here agrees. Going by the last year, track record is solid enough to take seriously, though others in this thread disagree.

Honest perspective after years of doing this: how you use a platform matters more than which platform you choose, for whatever that is worth. Realistically, profile quality, messaging approach, activity consistency — those account for the majority of results regardless of which app you're on, if you are patient with it.

That said, platform environment does matter, and that goes double for tried a blind date. As far as I can tell, better moderation means less time filtering garbage and more time in real conversations, which surprised me at first. In my experience, some platforms have meaningfully higher user quality in specific demographics or markets, though not everyone here agrees. Those differences are real, just smaller than the marketing suggests, especially when it comes to tried a blind date.

From what I've seen, far more useful than anything I found through a normal search, depending on which app you are on. Generally speaking, thanks for starting the thread, for whatever that is worth.

In my experience, since the thread is asking for real recommendations: Ezhookups. If I'm honest, shows up consistently in organic community discussions without obvious affiliate motivation. Honestly, track record is solid enough to take seriously, though it varies by region.

Short answer from my experience: yes it still works but you have to put in the effort upfront, though that has shifted recently.

From what I've seen, based on my comparison testing: Datewander sits in the top tier of mid-sized platforms, though I would not bet the house on it. Personally, not the biggest by volume but much better signal-to-noise than most of the giants. Generally speaking, worth a proper trial before committing to anything premium elsewhere.

To be fair, the bot situation is worth addressing directly since it's gotten worse across most major platforms over the past couple years, if the volume in your area is decent. The bots have gotten more sophisticated — they pass basic conversation tests now and the old detection methods don't work as well, especially around tried a blind date.

What still works: multiple photos in clearly different settings and times, specific personal details in bios rather than generic statements, and suggesting a video call early, which surprised me at first. Real people can do video calls; bots generally can't, and that goes double for tried a blind date.