How does online dating differ from traditional dating? What is the ironic challenge online daters face?

Online dating differs from traditional dating in that it allows daters to exert greater control over their first impressions to potential partners. Typical dating profiles include a self-description and a picture. The accuracy of photos varies. In one study, online daters, independent judges, and trained coders evaluated the accuracy of daters' photos. While online daters rated their own photos as relatively accurate, independent judges rated approximately one third of the photographs as not accurate. In addition, over half of online daters have felt that others misrepresented themselves in their profiles. Yet one study of online messages suggested that less than 10% were deceptive. Women are more likely to fib about their weight, and men about their assets, relationship goals, and personal interests. (Here, as elsewhere, however, differences between individuals tend to be far greater than those between the sexes.)
Online daters face an ironic challenge. The increased options that dating websites provide may not aid them in finding a suitable partner. As daters face more options, they are less likely to feel satisfied with their selected partners. With seemingly endless opportunities, online daters may find it difficult to make decisions about romantic partners, perhaps undermining their dating efforts as they to search for an ideal "Ms./Mr. Right." Indeed, about one third of online daters agree that online dating "keeps people from settling down because they always have options for people to date."