Is messaging free on Ashley Madison?

Messaging on Ashley Madison is not entirely free. The site operates on a credit system where users must purchase credits to initiate conversation with other members. Only women seeking men on Ashley Madison have the privilege to initiate conversations without charge, while men and women seeking other women must use credits to send messages. Once contact is established between two members via a paid message, they can continue to communicate freely without additional costs. This credit system requires users to be strategic about whom they choose to message, as each initiated conversation represents an investment of their purchased credits.