“I never heard of any chosid who doesn’t have at least one beshow (i.e. a ‘date’), so this point isn’t relevant.”
But it IS relevant, because as I pointed out, one date isn’t enough. Plus beshows are frequently shorter than dates, and can even be chaperoned.
“I would venture the long-term success rate is better than those who date for a year or more.”
You must realize that there’s something in between one beshow and dating for a year. The number of frum couples I know who dated for a year or more I could count on one hand, and actually all of those are very happily married now.