I had a 6 months experience with AFF, with a gold status membership.
AFF is clearly a genuine dating site with tons of real profiles.
I got several contacts, conversations and dates that end up nicely.
But... man! That was hard.
Let's be honest about what's going on in dating websites, AFF or any other.
Men outnumber women by a ration of at least 25:1 which means that women are receiving tons of contacts and can be very selective.
For average guys (I'm middle age, not tall and not striking) the competition is severe. That's really about natural selection!
You guys must know that many girls are registred to have a look only, and a bit of sensations, but aren't really ready for encounters. Then plenty of women are swinging with their partner, and are not searching single guys, except outstanding ones. Then many women are about... women.
And, there are a lot of fakes and bots indeed.
However, if you want to have a chance, you must take it very seriously and work hard on it with dedication and patience. You need to build a real appealing profile. Forget the blow up picture of you $#*!, or the picture in the mirror. Get nice photographs, outdoor, made with a decent camera. Write something cool about you. Don't tell you want a hot girl to get laid. They know it already. So think about what's specific about yourself that would turn on the girl you will contact.
Stay polite, funny, using good orthograph and grammar, be original, a bit cocky but not a jerk.
As a conclusion, I'd repeat what other already wrote here: if you're an not successful in "real life" you won't be on the Net. Dating website could not compensate any lack of social skills. Improve your cognitive abilities, get in good physical shape, improve your sense of humour and self-confidence.
Than enter the field and chance it...