I think you massively over estimate the impact this place has on foot traffic tbh... leolist drives 10x or more clients than here.
Most google searches for massage + any word (sensual, erotic, exotic, ect...) all shoot you to LL.
Not to mention the customer base here is likely the hardest to court, as in general we would know about 2 dozen options vs a random googling, finding LL and heading on over. Also in general probably a cheaper customer from here (again, lots of deal hunters here/pricing knowledge)
The drama this place can bring to your door too, often not worth the squeeze.
Finally, I think the lines of semi legit have been blurred to an extreme amount, and advertising on LL + here = likely FS or at the very least a higher mileage shop, versus kijiji only or local adv only more likely to be a classic semi where you actually get a massage and stay longer than 30m.
Finally, all of the managers are unreliable narrators when it comes to this topic... they have no reason to share that they are busy and successful- dudes already angle for discounts using the "you drive a mercedes" line, and their default is to play the poor victim. Its part of the hustle.
I certainly don't profess to have a full handle on this. Naturally, I follow LL as well, it tells me what spas are advertising, and often what service levels are available.
I would suggest that members here are to your point educated, seems to me they are regular users, and often visit a few times a week. They know the spas, the managers and the girls. So, contrary to your point, I would suggest MP is an important part of the marketing mix for these spas. After all, a good experience is only shared with 3 people, while a negative experience is shared with 10 people, and you see that trend here.
Managers and owners would be wise to watch and read the posts, in that way they can see exactly what's going on in the marketplace as related to their spa. What the customers are talking about and what they need and want. I think a perfect example is Comfort Foot, they watch these feeds carefully daily, and you know this as the service levels vary and the girls will tell you what's going on from management to the girls.
I would suggest there are not that many here are deal hunters, there is no value in putting the squeeze on anyone. Old spas maybe, the older spas and spa girls may provide a little more service for less money, say a HE for $30, but that's not the norm.
I'd suggest you have an educated consumer and educated owner (and in some cases girls are following) .... makes for a better outcome. While LL will drive a different type of customer.
Then again, who knows the marketing mix, but to your point Kijiji, MP, LL and Terb all bring various levels of discussion.
Another days discussion perhaps, but no value to me, I like the forum here, it allows for information flow and frankly when I started this hobby, I had no idea any of this existed, I found my first visit on Kijiji and shortly there after tried Comfort Foot and lucky for me, Kathy was my first MPA at a spa (after a year or two of random encounters) ...., shortly there after, found Z-one meeting Kat, Anna/Yoyo, Bella etc .... again lucky for me ... a lot of time has gone by since then, and litterly over 1,000 visits ....
Additionally met a few "educated" "experienced" members who enlightened me along the way ...
Happy Friday, no visit for me today ...