Dating over the internet has grown from a novelty into a mainstream mechanism that people of all generations readily use whenever they are single. There are numerous brands in this niche with global recognition, but the competition is very intense, and new websites are launched all the time. When someone gets an offer from a dating platform they’ve never heard of, it can be tricky to decide whether the offer is real or not.

Signs that a dating site can be trusted

There are so many online dating providers to choose from that an average user might have trouble differentiating legitimate platforms with great offers from fraudulent websites that are peddling false hope and charging for low-quality services. To help most people who first decide to use online matchmaking to navigate this minefield without taking any shortsighted steps, there are some things that can quickly determine the legitimacy of a dating site.

Legitimate operators in the dating niche are legally registered, and information about legal status is typically available on the home page of the respective website. Also, the website must have a quick access to the privacy policy and other important electronic documents that provide information about what data the website collects about users, how it processes it, how much it stores and other questions of interest, as well as contact information and an e-mail address for communication. If you spot any inconsistencies while you are inspecting the URL, metadata, about us section, or terms and conditions, you should immediately pause and double-check whether the site can be trusted.

Reputable websites don’t share user data with third parties, and they typically require e-mail confirmation of each member’s identity. In such a private matter as finding a partner, online flirting and dating, users should feel safe without fear of being deceived; therefore, profile verification is a priority on many services.

All expenses on real dating sites are clearly disclosed, allowing members to choose between different packages depending on everyone’s needs. And payment methods are tied to official payment systems, which, together with SSL encryption, will save the payer’s banking data.

Actions that legitimate dating platforms never take

On the other hand, websites that are looking to exploit their members in some way tend to do things that legit providers would never think of. Those red flag actions should warn the potential user that something is off, and they should immediately stop considering that website if they notice them. 

The most glaring of those is when the website asks for your private details, including physical address and credit card details that are not required for any specific transaction or passwords for your m-banking solutions. It is clear that such information is not needed to select a suitable matchmaking partner. These actions are only done by shady operators that intend to commercialize your data or even hack your accounts and steal your funds. 

Too aggressive e-mail reminders to purchase a more expensive package or ads that lead you to a series of related websites from the same niche also indicate that something isn’t normal. That’s why it’s a good rule to ignore any notifications or proposals from websites you aren’t familiar with, at least until you can do a background check and find out more about their reputations.

Also, pay attention to ads and pop-up messages to see if they contain unsolicited, inappropriate (or even illegal) content, as reputable sites will never engage in such suspicious-looking advertising campaigns.

External sources of information that can save you a lot of trouble

The best dating websites have millions of users all over the globe, and their international presence makes them relatively easy to evaluate. Users are not shy to publicize their impressions on online blogs, while specialized portals compare various online dating brands and present their pros and cons. If you spend a few hours reading those dating site reviews, you’ll be able to develop a clear picture of any provider that interests you.

Conclusion

Naturally, you will instantly eliminate any brands that are associated with fraud, scandals, or unethical conduct of any kind and focus on those that operate scrupulously. Dating industry blogs and portals are typically neutral and have no reason to slander legitimate providers, but you should still look to confirm your findings from multiple sources just to be sure.