As some people said, dating apps are tools. And tools with an algorithm designed to maximize profits for the company and certain biases from their designers:

https://www.fastcompany.com/3054871/whats-your-tinder-score-inside-the-apps-internal-ranking-system

The key is to learn how to use it and how to compensate for the algorithm.

The algorithm set a "game system". For example: Tinder favours pictures over writing. That means that not only looks would be more important, but also that hock ups would be more frequent, since people looking for hock ups usually value more looks and don't want to make too much effort to get them. They won't fill that much information since for them is not needed. Neither would look at the information you'll provide. Also, showing skin means hock up.

So if you want to meet people for a serious relationship, you'll need for apps that allow for writing and look for people who offer more information about themselves. Those people would look at your profile and ask questions related to that. So if the person you are talking doesn't ask questions, that means low invest/interest in you.

I guess I could even write an article on this topic and how to optimize dating apps depending on what do you want to get out of them. It worked for me and some of my friends. But of course that doesn't mean it would work for everyone. And it shouldn't replace talking face to face. One thing doesn't exclude the other.