Dating Online Identity Verification: Full 2024 Guide

Identity verification is the process by which an online dating site can tell that you are who you say you are. Common ways that a dating app may do this are:

1. Having you upload a picture of your ID

   
   

2. Linking social media accounts

   
   

3. Asking you to upload a photo with a specific pose

   
   

4. Text your phone number a verification code

   
   

5. Submitting a selfie that matches your profile in a specific time frame

   
   

6. Sharing other documentation

   
   

7. Using third party verification services

Basically, online dating sites want to make sure that their platform isn't cluttered with fake profiles. That's not good for business, nor is it good for their successful dating story stats.

Depending on the platform, these are not typically required, but they are an added layer of security that can help people avoid romance scams.

Many dating apps are moving towards offering identity verification for their users to help keep them safe, and that includes some of the most popular apps

1. Tinder

   
   

2. Bumble

   
   

3. Grindr

   
   

4. eHarmony

   
   

5. Coffee Meets Bagel

   
   

6. Match

   
   

7. Her

   
   

8. Plenty of Fish

While the methods may vary depending on the app, they are all intended to make sure that you are chatting with genuine users to help get rid of fake accounts and prevent fraud.

There are different processes to get verified, and here are some of the most common to look out for.

Selfie Pose

In this type of verification, you will be asked to mimic a photo and pose that you see on the screen.

1. Open the app and navigate to verification.

   
   

2. The dating app will show a pose or series of poses that it wants you to mimic. These will change, so you can't go back to them and have the same poses.

   
   

3. Snap selfies that match and upload them within the app.

   
   

4. It should take a few days for someone from the app to review and verify the poses match. Once they do, your profile will be verified.

   
   

You may even be able to make a video call or other real-time action to verify that you are a real person.

ID Verification

Another common type of ID verification process is when you upload your driver's license or another form of valid ID to prove that you are who you say you are.

1. Open the app and navigate to verify identity.

   
   

2. Take a picture of your ID and upload it to the portal. You may need to make sure it's on a dark background, front and back, and more to meet the requirements.

   
   

3. Submit the ID and wait for someone to verify your identity.

There are various forms of ID that should work to verify your account, so make sure that you read what is acceptable before you submit.

Third-party Apps

Some dating apps partner with third-party apps to help verify a user's identity. The process may vary from app to app, but generally, you will follow similar steps to verify.

1. Enter your name, address, and other pertinent information.

   
   

2. Answer a series of questions. These could be simple, like what street you used to live on or what state your license was offered in.

   
   

3. As long as your answers match the database, you should be verified.

These third-party apps may charge a nominal fee for their services or be included in the price of the subscription if it's a paid app. It's almost like an identity theft app, so be prepared to answer some personal questions.

Social Media

Some online dating platforms allow you to integrate your social media account into your dating apps. How can this verify your identity?

• It shows your social network and gives additional flavor to who you are as a person.

  
  

• Verification on another platform can lend credibility to your dating profile.

  
  

• You can see if you have mutual connections and get advice as you chat with people you know.

  
  

Romance scammers are everywhere, so the safer you can be, the better!

The common sign for verification is the same across online dating platforms and social media. You want to look for a check mark, though the color may be different from dating app to dating app.

This helps provide peace of mind that they are genuine users. It also shows that they took the time to verify their identity to prove they are a real person. In the sea of dating app users, verified profiles tend to stand out.

When you are using dating apps, it's up to you if you only want to spend your time talking with verified profiles.

Let's discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of only interacting with verified profiles.

Benefits

Here are some pros to keep in mind when interacting with verified profiles on online dating platforms.

1. You know they are a real person and you are not interacting with a fake profile.

   
   

2. You can avoid a dating scam because bots cannot pass the verification.

   
   

3. The person has attention to detail and cares about making a good first impression.

   
   

4. The person's intention's are pure - no one who is trying to cheat is going to take the time to verify their profile.

   
   

5. There are no banned users, so you don't have to worry about chatting with people who have previously violated the terms and conditions.

   
   

Ultimately, verified profiles add an additional layer of trust on a dating site. When you can't see the person in real life, the verification mark is the next best thing.

Drawbacks

There are some drawbacks if you are picky and only interact with verified profiles.

1. You can miss out on matches who are awaiting verification.

   
   

2. Some people don't know the feature existed.

   
   

3. Some people prefer user privacy and don't want to upload highly personal or sensitive information to prevent identity theft.

   
   

It is a choice, and just because someone isn't verified doesn't mean that they aren't a genuine person.

Depending on the dating app, you may be able to avoid verification when you are using it. Unless it is required, you do not need to go through ID verification unless you want to.

Some people have privacy concerns, while others simply don't want to provide dating apps with more information than they already have. If you don't want to verify your profile, you can still hint you're not a fake profile.

1. Include several pictures, including a clear profile photo.

   
   

2. Share details in your bio about your likes, dislikes, and any red flags.

   
   

3. Include your general location.

   
   

4. Video chat with the person.

   
   

5. Send messages that draw from their profile details but also show you are not just a bot combing for details.

   
   

Of course, you don't want to have too many profile details that could compromise your safety. Online dating can only do so much to keep its users safe, so it's up to you to uphold general internet best practices.

Dating verification scams are out there, be safe during online dating.