No matter how you try to go about it or where you do it, finding a perfect match can be a little bit difficult at times. Online love is a solution that many people favor in this day and age.

A lot of us have such busy, hectic lives that we can’t really afford to take the time to go out to bars, network with friends, or do the other social activities that really help people meet their match. This is why online dating services have so much appeal.

Not only do they put a little bit of distance between two people who are flirting together, making it feel safer and more natural, but they also make the whole process so much more efficient. With an online dating service, you can talk to thousands of singles!

Nonetheless, there are some definite disadvantages to looking for online love. The real problem with an online dating service is that what you see isn’t always what you get. In some ways, this is an advantage.

People can really portray an idealized version of themselves, making it easier to make a good first impression. For a lot of awkward people, the first meeting of the most difficult. Through an online dating service, you can make this meeting comparatively easy.

The flip side, of course, is that it is hard to see who you’re actually talking to on an online dating service. Although the Internet scare stories – The ones where stalkers create a completely fictitious identity in the interest of fooling people for nefarious reasons – are extremely rare. You can be pretty sure that your online dating service won’t be dangerous. Still, there are some things that will key you in to whether or not your potential mate is who they say they are.

The biggest thing to look for, of course, is whether or not they represent themselves in a consistent manner. Most people who lie are not very good at it. You can use this to your advantage. If someone on an online dating service seems to be telling a different story every time, you can be pretty sure that they’re lying.

If not, you can be pretty sure that they are telling the truth. Either way, you can usually tell pretty quickly. Then you can decide whether or not to pursue anything. If not, you always have time to move on to someone else. Happy hunting!