How does Ashley Madison work?

Ashley Madison functions as a dating platform that caters primarily to individuals seeking discreet extramarital affairs or relationships outside their current partnerships. Users sign up for the service and create a profile in which they may disclose as much or as little personal information as they are comfortable with. The site employs various privacy and anonymity features to maintain user confidentiality, such as photo-masking tools and anonymous payment options. Members can search for other users who match their preferences, send messages, and engage in chats. The platform operates on a credit system for initiating communication, requiring users to purchase credits to message others. The site is designed to facilitate secretive communications between members looking for relationships or encounters outside of their regular social circles.