Does Tinder Create Fake Profiles?
Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps at the moment. It boasts around 50 million registered profiles around the world, with about 10 million active daily users. The app was created back in 2012 and is now a property of the Match Group (along with match.com, OKCupid, and Plenty of Fish).
Dating sites, like all other free-to-use social platforms, are prone to problems with fake accounts, spamming bots, and malicious users. Recently, some users started voicing their concerns that Tinder might be behind some of the fakes.
The Controversy
Like pretty much every other social platform of that size, Tinder has had its fair share of fake profiles. A percentage of them were created by real people, while the others were made and operated by spam and hacking bots. Despite considerable improvements in safety, Tinder has been unable to banish all fake profiles from the platform.
Recently, a new type of allegedly fake profiles swept Tinder. These profiles had zero activity and, when engaged, they would never answer back. According to statistics, Tinder had around 68% male users and just 32% female users in 2015. Interestingly, the majority of these profiles were female. This led some users to suspect that Tinder was trying to artificially alter the app’s demographic and increase profit
How Do These Profiles Look?
The claims that Tinder is using this new type of “non-malevolent” fakes to boost its female population have caused a stir in the online community. The proponents of this idea have even outlined the main characteristics of such profiles.
One of the most obvious signs that a certain profile is Tinder’s own fake is their different behavior pattern – or rather a lack of one. According to a few users, the owners of these accounts will not try to sell you anything nor try to lure you to a dangerous site. Apart from this, there are a few other common characteristics shared by the alleged fake accounts created by Tinder.
- They do not match. The alleged Tinder’s own fakes never match with anyone.
- No description. These profiles usually lack info and description
- Location mismatch. According to users, a fake profile will always say that it’s a lot closer to you than the actual distance between your locations.
- Wrong photos. Typically, the photos will not match with the location stated on the profile. For example, profiles with UK locations will often have photos taken somewhere in the US.
Why Would Tinder Do That?
Some users speculate that Tinder is using this new type of fake profiles to artificially boost the female population. This, in turn, would keep the male users actively swiping and spending their likes and swipes. Consequently, male users would have to resort to Tinder Plus for additional swipes and likes, thus boosting Tinder’s revenue. Of course, this is all just speculation. No official answer ever came from Tinder.
The Verdict
With zero evidence to back up the claims and only theories being available, it is safe to assume that Tinder is not involved in any type of foul play.
Stay Safe
Tinder-made or not, you should always keep your eyes peeled for fake profiles. Here are some of the easiest ways to spot a fake.
- Profiles that just look too good. If a profile you matched has a photo which looks professionally photoshopped and nothing (or almost nothing) beside it, it is most likely a fake. These profiles might also have photos of celebrities instead of real users.
- Users who try to move the conversation off Tinder right away. Typically, they will try to do it right off the bat, at the very start of the conversation. Most probably, they will tell you that they hate Tinder or are leaving the app. They might ask you to give them your phone number or join another social platform. These users are most likely after your personal data.
- They answer too fast or answer in gibberish. Another tell-tale sign you’re dealing with a fake account is the speed with which they reply. If they message you instantly after you matched or their answers make no sense, it is probably a fake account.
- Their profile is missing info. When checking out a profile you matched, look at their bio section. If it is empty, you’re most likely dealing with a fake.
Conclusion
Like the rest of free social networks, Tinder is prone to fake profiles and spam/hack bot issues. Follow the tips you found in this article to ensure you stay safe and avoid fake profiles.
7 thoughts on “Does Tinder Create Fake Profiles?”
The consistency of this pattern, looking at the frequency and timing, the immediate (within seconds) location change, and consistent lack of response, indicates to me, without any possible doubt, that Tinder uses this method to entice users into paying to match figure out what these notifications mean. It’s a simple rewards system strategy. It’s why ever free app uses some exciting graphic and notification to access something in the app you have to pay for, such as in app currency.
I think it’s pretty obvious. Tinder uses fake profiles beyond the shadow of a doubt.
That’s a naive assertion IMO.
Since we’re talking about a for-profit company, not a benevolent individual, surely the opposite is more likely?
“With a massive wealth of anecdotal evidence to back up the claims and since no official answer ever came from Tinder, it is safe to assume that Tinder is involved in some type of foul play.”