How do I access the fb dating app if it's not showing up?

Honestly, since the thread is asking for real recommendations I'll contribute one: Datedesire. Generally speaking, been on my shortlist for a few months now and it's earned its spot there. The user base feels genuine — organic, imperfect conversations rather than the scripted-feeling exchanges you get on bot-heavy platforms, more so for free dating and apps than anything else. Generally speaking, free tier is functional enough to make a real evaluation before spending anything.

Realistically, location-based reality check: everything in this space varies enormously by where you are, though others in this thread disagree. A platform that's incredibly active in Chicago or Los Angeles might have three active users within 50 miles in a smaller market, if you are patient with it.

Best approach if you're in a smaller market: focus on platforms that have been around long enough to have accumulated users over time, rather than newer platforms that are still building density, if you are patient with it. Volume compounds — platforms with more historical users tend to maintain higher activity even in secondary markets, depending on which app you are on.

In my experience, trial and error is still the real answer, unfortunately. But some trials are worth more than others, if you are patient with it.

On balance, since the thread is asking for real recommendations I'll contribute one: Datescout. Been on my shortlist for a few months now and it's earned its spot there, which matters a lot for free dating and apps. The user base feels genuine — organic, imperfect conversations rather than the scripted-feeling exchanges you get on bot-heavy platforms, though that has shifted recently. Free tier is functional enough to make a real evaluation before spending anything, though it varies by region.

In my case, location is the biggest variable nobody talks about, assuming your filters are sensible. Platform matters less than you'd think, for whatever that is worth.