Newenglander:
Let's not forget the site specifically recommends members reach out to others in fairly close geographic proximity or newly registered.
The algorithm doesn't seem to take into account either member's preferences.
C00kie:
When you go to the profile section, you'll see several prefilter categories. By clicking "See More," on these it allows you to see all profiles matching those prefilters such as: Newest, Online, Local, Feeders, and Feedees.
If you click the "See All" button at the bottom of the profiles page without selecting any of the prefilters mentioned above, it will display all profiles in order of last online, without applying any other search filters.
Of course, you also have the option to customize your own profile search filters to refine your results even further. I’m not entirely sure what you’re describing with your experience, though, as the algorithm doesn't prioritize new profiles or local ones by default.
What I described earlier is in the header atop the main landing page. There are home, mail, and bell icons.
Under the bell icon, it shows who viewed my profile. It also shows suggestions to contact others who are in close geographic proximity, regardless of whether or not they viewed my profile.
These suggestions feature members whose orientation and interests often differ from my own.
