Love is only a swipe away in today's digital dating environment, but so are scams, lies and secrets that are kept hidden. The days of relying only on charm and chemistry are long gone.
Nowadays, a lot of daters are conducting background checks, looking through social media archives, and even hiring online investigators before meeting someone new. Today, the question is, "Can you pass my background check?" rather than, "Are we compatible?"
According to statistics, over 323 million people use dating apps globally, demonstrating the explosion of online dating.
However, there is a risk associated with that popularity. Users have become more cautious as a result of romance scams, cat-fishing, and even violent crimes connected to dating apps.
In 2022 alone, the FBI reported losses from romance scams of over $1.3 billion, a 138% increase from the year before.
Relationship psychologist Dr. Helen McCarthy says, "It's protection, not paranoia." "People are realizing that, particularly when you meet someone online, trust must be earned rather than assumed."
What began as an uncommon safety measure has unexpectedly spread. A 2024 Pew Research Center survey found that 27% of online daters acknowledge searching databases for a match's name or looking up their criminal history before meeting in person.
Many others acknowledge looking through court databases, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
The popularity of dating apps is growing. Thanks to collaborations with safety groups like Garbo, Tinder and Match now provide in-app background check capabilities that let users see public records pertaining to abuse or violence.
Official checks are not where everyone stops. Some users go deeper, looking through old comments, reverse image searching profile pictures, or seeing who they follow on social media.
Nowadays, communities on TikTok and Reddit exchange advice on "how to vet your date safely."
Inquiries about dating have even increased, according to private investigators. According to Los Angeles-based PI Mark O'Hara, "online dating verification is involved in about 40% of our new cases."
"People want to know if their match is married, stable financially, or who they say they are."
These initiatives raise ethical concerns even though they can stop hurt and heartache. What level of snooping is excessive? Is looking up someone's criminal history a prudent precaution or a privacy violation?
McCarthy observes that "transparency works both ways." "You should be prepared to discuss your past if you want someone to be honest about theirs. Although safety is crucial, trust is still necessary in relationships.
So, you're dating in 2025? Heads up: people are gonna Google you. Make sure your online stuff is clean. Old social media stuff or fake job titles will get you in trouble quick. Messed up in the past? Tell them before they find out themselves.
Seriously, with everything online these days, honesty is the only way to actually be with someone for real.