Going on a date with someone you have only chatted to online or on the phone can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. It is a natural progression of a relationship, but you must take care before taking this next step.
What you must do is confirm that what they have told you is correct. Thankfully, In today’s digital age, it is easy to find out about them before meeting in person. Here are some tips on how to check someone out online before a date:
Ask Mutual Connections
If you have mutual friends or connections with your potential date, you can ask them for their opinion. This can be a great way to get an inside look into who they are and what their personality is like.
However, remember that the information you receive may be somewhat objective. Are the mutual connections people you know and trust, or are they online friends only? If they are the latter, their opinions may need to be taken lightly.
Google Search
If you have not gotten satisfactory answers from your peers, the next step to checking someone out online is to do a simple Google search of their name.
If it finds the right person, a Google search can give you all kinds of data on who they are and what they do. Look for information about them on personal blogs and news articles or mentions.
Make sure to check out images to see if they match the person you plan to meet. If they do not match, do this next step.
Reverse Image Search
If your potential date has shared any photos with you, you can do a reverse image search to see if those pics are theirs or are being used on other websites. You will be able to find out if they are linked to any other person’s social media profiles.
This action can help you verify that the photos are actually of your date and not stolen from someone else. If it turns out the pictures do not match, you may be a victim of catfishing. So ask questions or consider terminating the contact.
Social Media
Social media is a great platform to learn more about your potential date. If they are who they say they are, they have most likely given you access to their social media accounts. It does not hurt to dig deeper, though.
Check for more profiles on other social media platforms. If you find any that contain different information from the ones you have access to, look for any red flags, such as inappropriate or offensive content.
Online Background Check
If you want more in-depth information about your potential date, consider running an online background check using a free people finder site.
Several websites offer background checks. Data is gathered from various online sources and compiled into a file, and the information comes from criminal, arrest, and other public records.
You can perform searches with the tiniest piece of data. However, remember that some of these websites may not provide accurate information. The challenge if the prospective date has a very familiar name is that the results may not be of this particular person.
Do Your Research, Then Go On That Date
Checking someone online before a date can be a valuable way to learn more about them and ensure your safety.
However, using these tools responsibly and being aware of their limitations is essential. Remember that not all information found online may be accurate, and it is important to use your judgment when making decisions about your date.
If checking with mutual connections, look for truthful, unbiased comments. Google and social media can be excellent sources, and double-check images using a reverse search tool. Finally, perform a background check to be sure they do not have a criminal past.
By following these tips and using your own intuition, you can have a safe and enjoyable dating experience.
