Digital Deception: Survey Reveals Levels of Honesty Among Online Daters Across America

Online dating has revolutionized how people meet and connect, offering a convenient platform to find potential partners from the comfort of one’s home. However, the anonymity and distance afforded by these digital interactions can sometimes lead people to present themselves in ways that do not entirely reflect reality. 

It is not uncommon for users to misrepresent their age, profession, or physical appearance to create a more appealing persona. This tendency to embellish or fabricate details can complicate the process of building genuine relationships, as the foundations of trust and authenticity become increasingly difficult to establish in the virtual realm.

To delve deeper into the honesty of online daters, we conducted a comprehensive survey involving 3,000 singles across America. Participants were asked to rate their online dating experiences of how honest, on a scale of 1-10 (1 being the least honest, and 10 the most), the people they have matched with have been in terms of factors such as their ages, jobs, or appearances in real life.

This survey aimed to capture the perceived integrity of profiles on dating apps and provide a clearer picture of how users represent themselves in the digital dating landscape. The results offer valuable insights into the level of trustworthiness prevalent among online daters.

On average, singles rated the honesty of their online dating experiences at a moderate 5.1 out of 10. This score indicates a mixed perception of truthfulness among dating app users. 

Significant variations emerged when examining the data on a state-by-state basis. South Dakotans stood out as the most honest, scoring an impressive 7.5 out of 10, suggesting a higher level of integrity in their online dating interactions.

Conversely, those in New York reported the least honesty, scoring 3.4 out of 10, highlighting considerable discrepancies between online representations and real-life attributes in this state. 

The below table shows the full breakdown across America:

In addition to the primary findings, our survey uncovered several additional insights into the behaviors and perceptions of online daters. Respondents highlighted the aspects they found people to be least honest about on dating apps.

The top concerns were their relationship status (32%), age (30%), and real-life appearances (22%). Other areas of dishonesty included interests and hobbies (6%), education level (4%), location (4%), and jobs (2%).

The survey also explored the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on dating profiles. A significant 32.5% of participants reported discovering that a match had used AI to enhance their profile pictures.

This technological intervention has contributed to increased skepticism, with 89% of respondents believing that the use of AI and filters has heightened the level of dishonesty in dating profiles.

Respondents had clear preferences regarding the recency of profile photos. A majority of 57% insisted that photos should be less than a year old. An additional 30% were willing to accept photos up to two years old, while smaller percentages were more lenient: 7% for photos up to three years old, 2% for photos up to four years old, and 4% for photos up to five years old.

The survey also addressed geographical perceptions of honesty. When asked whether people in big cities tend to be less honest than those in smaller towns, 53% of respondents agreed, suggesting a belief that the anonymity and vastness of urban areas might encourage more deceptive practices. 

Our results paint a complex picture of the online dating landscape, highlighting both the potential and pitfalls of seeking connections in the digital realm. While dating apps offer unparalleled convenience and a vast pool of potential matches, they also present challenges regarding honesty and authenticity. 

The average honesty rating of 5.1 out of 10 underscores a prevalent skepticism among users, further evidenced by the widespread belief that AI and filters have increased dishonesty in profiles.

As technology continues to evolve, so will online dating dynamics. Users and platforms alike must prioritize transparency and trust to foster genuine relationships. Ultimately, the survey underscores a fundamental truth: while digital tools can facilitate connections, the foundations of trust and honesty remain as crucial as ever in pursuing meaningful relationships.

“Competition for mates makes people embellish some traits in order to appear more attractive,” said Dr. Wendy Walsh, psychologist and relationship expert. “I was most disturbed by the kinds of lies that people tell in online profiles. While the most common ones still exist, height, weight, and income, a whopping 32% of lies have to do with relationship status! This underscores the need for a full assessment of potential mates, as many of them may be married or committed to someone else.”

An online panel survey of 3,000 singles was conducted based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representation through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting.