I've had tons of experience.
in my early 50s as part of an open relationship - so was looking for FWB.
and more recently in my late 50s as a single looking for a monogamous relationship.
The first experience was very different than the second and I approached dating as more of an adventure. I had some fun, met a couple of nice men and quite a lot of guys who were so driven by sex they are only pretending to see your humanity.
The second round was ok. Because of my previous experience I stuck to Guardian Soul Mates (now closed down) and kept away from the big site - tinder etc. Think I had about 7 dates. I'm a creative so I wasn't looking for just anyone. This narrowed it down. Looking back it was okay, but I think I became downhearted very quickly at the age thing. Because of that, I think I was tending to project my fears onto contacts where I had no proof that was the issue.
What used to drive me absolutely batshit was the tiny age differential thing. So a man 55 would state he was looking for 42 - 51. I'd think 'what the fuck do those missing 4 years mean?' I sometimes asked men, most just said they hadn't thought about it. I even complained to the site about this lazy ageism. It really got to me and ruined my faith in the process.
I had one quite nice relationship with a guy 69 (though he was incredibly fit and strong) but ultimately not for me.
Interestingly I would sometimes attract alpha arts men (twice), but when they finally met me I think they realised I wasn't rich, hugely confident or vastly successful. So to add to that value statement another poster made - I think some men are looking for an equal status value match, rather than younger as 'value'.
As I am now 59 and have gained 10lb during covid I'm giving up. Not in a negative way, just not putting myself through it, when I believe it is not a good way for me (personally) to meet someone.
So I think if you're early 50s then it's worth a pop. But If you are going to do it, you need to re-set your beliefs and attitude. Treat dates as an adventure in meeting a new person. Don't dress up too much. Flatten romantic hope (it just puts you on the back foot subconsciously), but be generally positive. Don't text and message endlessly. Yes it is a numbers game. Follow instincts - don't wait around for replies etc. Move on and don't ruminate on whys and wherefores. They will be texting lots of other people - so if there are large spaces between messages to you that's probably why - dump. If their answers are getting shorter than yours - they are less interested - dump. Basically don't let hope lead (the feminine booby trap) - let common sense, instinct and self-belief lead. Take a break as soon as you feel your confidence dipping. From experience, I've learned that when your confidence starts to dip - it gets worse, and you stop making good decisions.
Alternatively you could all try this: Re-tune to the world around you. Go fishing so to speak. Use your eyes. Most people don't know they fancy you until you make it a possibility. Ask your friends if they have single friends. Be flirtatious, etc etc.
That's what I'm going to do for the remainder of my single life. I think I might have more chance local fishing than deep sea fishing, so to speak.