Dating Start-Ups Add Verification to Reduce Fake Profiles

Frustration with fake dating profiles has prompted new services that verify users and organize in-person events. Dennie Smith founded Geek Meet Club after realizing standard apps did not serve people with niche interests such as military history. She personally reviews each application and declines about 50 people a month to limit exposure to scams.

The service hosts monthly quizzes and plans costume events to encourage members to meet offline quickly.

Mason created Cherry Dating after growing tired of counterfeit profiles on existing platforms. The service uses software to match a selfie with a government-issued ID such as a driving licence or passport. Members also answer compatibility questions that produce a percentage score. Mason says an 80 percent match is considered worthwhile while a 5 percent match is not.

A survey by Sumsub of 2,000 UK dating app users found 54 percent admitted using AI to enhance their profiles. Research commissioned by Mason indicated 47 percent of British respondents felt no current app met their needs. Jocelyn Penque, a dating coach, encourages clients to move conversations offline as soon as possible.

She recently organized a small group trip to the Azores to help participants focus on relationship goals away from screens.