There have been cases where online dating has been so successful, it has even lead to marriage. But overall it's a poor choice. You're seeing a catalogue of personas, not people.
For a successful long term relationship, you need to learn the nasty side of your partner. Those flaws we all have. It's very easy to show yourself as an "idealized" version of yourself and hide things that would destroy the relationship.
Maybe your partner is hiding from you a hoarding/drug addiction or a mental illness, or an anger issue, that you simply couldn't stand, and won't notice because that will never show up in a chat while you make jokes and share emojis.
In a relationship, you get both the very best and worst a person. Those things, you can only figure out by actually meeting that person IRL.
Online can be a good starting point for some, but eventually, you need to actually meet that person IRL, if you actually want to form a healthy long term relationship.
Honestly, this is why I hate it. It's literally window-shopping and people desperate to showcase themselves at their best.
I've used it before and it was the biggest waste of time in my life. I never adopted these same strategies, but on top of that, the whole system is busted: women get overswamped and men are completely ignored, which only adds to the imbalance.
I'm not saying it's not viable, you can meet someone anywhere, but it's one of the worst options in my mind. It's like speed dating in real life, but even more worthless.
I say, the same way people have always met, even before technology, be places you
want to be first, and you'll naturally meet like-minded people. And just maybe, there might be someone you already have that connection with who is so much more.
Online, I legit feel the closest analogue to this is forums. It's how you make the best friends and how you possibly meet the best partner online. And forums are dying out..... doesn't that explain just so much about why everyone is so desperate these days?
TINDR, FACEBOOK, CRAIGSLIST, OKCUPID, MATCH, bullshit like this is becoming people's go-to choice and they're so desperate for it, it's forced to boot; I can't think of a better combination to fail.