10% of Americans Secretly Catfishing on Dating Apps: Are You Being Deceived?

Have you ever encountered someone on a dating app who didn’t quite match up to their profile pictures? Or maybe you’ve been guilty of this yourself. It’s a common issue known as catfishing, and its milder form, kittenfishing.

Recent findings from a survey conducted by the dating platform Hily reveal that over half of young Americans have gone on dates with individuals who looked significantly different from their profiles. This statistic is quite disheartening for users who depend on these platforms to find romantic partners and value honesty in how they present themselves.

Interestingly, around 10 percent of American app users deliberately avoid updating their profile pictures, despite noticeable changes in their appearance.

10 Percent of Americans Neglect Updating Their Profile Photos

Imagine setting up a date expecting to meet a brunette bodybuilder and instead being greeted by someone blonde with a more typical build. Kicking off a date with such a disconnect can hardly be the foundation for a healthy relationship.

While dramatic changes might make for a shocking first meet, there’s nothing inherently wrong with either version of a person. However, failing to present an accurate self-image on dating apps can lead to missed opportunities to connect with those who might genuinely appreciate the real you.

Hily’s survey also found that 62 percent of Millennials and 54 percent of Gen Z participants have cut dates short or declined second dates simply because their date’s real appearance didn’t match their profile picture.

You may wonder, why would someone choose not to update their pictures?

The answer often lies in insecurity, a completely understandable reaction in our highly judgmental society. Many fear the signs of aging more than the prospect of cosmetic procedures. This isn’t to condemn such choices, but it highlights the harsh standards to which we hold ourselves and others. In this environment, accepting one’s imperfections almost becomes a radical act.

Indeed, 32 percent of Gen Z women and 34 percent of Millennial men believe updating their photos would not affect how they are judged or perceived. Given that over 90 percent of daters claim they value authenticity, these figures are quite perplexing.

Clearly, there’s a mismatch between what people say they value and what they practice. Perhaps it’s time to align our actions with our values, starting with something as simple as a truthful photo.