Why match if you can’t respond to messages?

I don’t understand, is this a cultural thing or a me issue? I live in a small town, and thought maybe dating apps would be the best way to make connections. Over the past year or so I’ve tried FB dating and Tinder; I match with women and they rarely communicate afterwards. What’s the deal? Is this common? Or is it me?

I have tried waiting for them to message first, that doesn’t seem to happen. Opening messages I’ve sent stay unread. I think that the only ones that have ever messaged were looking for a 3rd but didn’t say so in their profiles. It’s so frustrating.