More than Eight out of Ten Dating App Users Want Platforms to Verify Age, Recency of Photos and Location

Core Insights - A significant majority of dating app users express a desire for improved verification of user information, with 85% of women and 87% of men advocating for verification of details such as age, photo recency, and location [1][3] - The report highlights a discrepancy between online profiles and real-life appearances, with users reporting misleading photos and age misrepresentation [2][6] - There is a strong willingness among users to undergo background checks, with over 75% open to this idea, indicating a demand for enhanced trust and safety measures in online dating [3][6] User Concerns and Preferences - Users are particularly concerned about the accuracy of profile representations, with women more likely to report age misrepresentation and men more frequently experiencing bait and switch tactics [2][6] - A high percentage of users (79% of women and 81% of men) want platforms to verify age, while 64% of women and 61% of men want verification of photo recency [5] - Approximately 28% of users have experienced catfishing, and 21% have fallen victim to romance scams, underscoring the prevalence of fraud in online dating [7][8] Opportunities for Dating Platforms - Dating platforms have the potential to enhance user trust and loyalty by implementing identity verification tools, which could also serve as a new revenue stream [4][5][8] - The report suggests that users are willing to pay for background checks, with nearly 40% expressing a willingness to cover costs for both themselves and potential matches [5] - By leveraging identity data for verification, dating platforms can not only protect users from scams but also facilitate genuine connections [8]