TLDR: Can I take "friends first" on a OLD app at face value, meaning that we can just be friends and nothing more and that would be ok?

So, I've caved to my boredom, curiosity and, if I'm being 100% honest, loneliness and decided to peek my head into the world of online dating apps. I'm not ready to date anyone, but I figured this would be a good opportunity to, at least, check out the scene without there really being any expectation to meeting up or progressing, not that I would match with anyone anyway. I know, I know, only LVM types are hopping on the OLD scene right now, but I think I'm fairly LVM'd up at the moment, so if anything, I'll fit in.

Anyways, a common occurrence I see (age range of these women is 32-42 for reference), in the profiles that actually bother to write something substantial, are phrases like "looking for friends and then see where it goes", "friends first", etc. Now, I may not be ready for a relationship, but a friend? I am more than capable of that, so I start thinking maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing to swipe on a few of these.

I have a question before I do however, and though this may not be the best place to ask, I feel like this is the most candid female perspective when it comes to how my actions would be perceived.

My question is, can I take the friends first thing at face value, or is this "friends first" approach purely in the context of something more, namely a LTR? I can see it meaning exactly what it sounds like, but I can also see it being used as a way to say they want a LTR, but they want to take it slow or to help weed out certain types of dudes. Maybe something in between?

I know I'm LVMing it up to some degree by being on these apps at all with no real intention of getting into a romantic relationship, and I'm not trying to interact with anyone (regardless of my value) at the expense of the other person, but if they are truly just looking for a friend, I see no harm in it.

Either way I figured ya'll could give me some perspective on this situation.