We all want to be happy when it comes to our love life, but does that mean that we’re also becoming more paranoid? Through the invention of the internet, not only can we find out information about nearly any topic, but we can also find out about people that we’d like to date. This method is not foolproof, however, so here are some tips to make it “googling” work for you:

Realize that not everything you find may be true – Since there’s a pretty good chance your perspective date might share the same name as someone else, the information you find may not be accurate; either in a good way or in a bad way.

Keep what you find out to yourself – Showing up to a date with a file folder of the information you find out is not going to make the best first impression. Instead, keep your findings to yourself until they are revealed naturally.

Google.com can’t tell you everything – Even though it is a powerhouse of information, googling a date will only tell you the superficial details of their life. Unfortunately, Google isn’t able to tell you if someone is going to be the perfect match for you.

At least, not yet.

Tips and Ideas Background Checks, First Impressions, Love, Scams, Trust

In the realm of online dating, it’s not just about finding the best site and then finding the perfect matches. While you might think that the first date is the first impression you will have with your potential partner, it’s actually the first time you communicate with them that can guide you to love or not. In most dating sites, you’ll get the chance to email your prospective date before you even meet them, but are you doing all that you can to impress?

Emailing can be a hard way to talk to someone. Without the ability to see someone else’s facial expressions or to understand the way they explain things, it can be hard to figure out what’s being said…and what’s not.

What you do want to do is be as friendly and positive as you can. This first email isn’t about the things that you don’t like; it’s about creating the possibility of a date or just a meeting. You want to talk about things that you noticed in their profile, perhaps give suggestions for things you might want to do together, etc.

This is your time to create a mental picture of yourself for the person on the other end of the email, so try to be fun and show your true personality. If you’re having troubles with writing this initial email, there are plenty of sites and tips out there. And don’t forget to read it back to yourself before you hit send!

Tips and Ideas Email, First Impressions, Flirting, Online Romance

Many websites are written for and by men offer dating advice that you can use in the online dating arena. But with all of sites that are available, wouldn’t it be easier if you had a ‘cheat sheet’ of the dating advice that really matters in the online dating playing field? Here are the things you need to know before you head to your computer.

• Honesty works – While you don’t want to remind your potential dates that you haven’t been on a date in ten years, there’s nothing wrong with being honest about the important things. If you’re not interested, tell the person. You want to start off any potential relationship on the right foot. Make sure to be honest about what you look like, what you like to do, and other details. If you get caught in a lie, it can look worse than the truth.
• Remember that there are plenty of dates out there – When you start accepting dates because you’re afraid that no one else will talk to you, you’re going to start accepting dates with people that just aren’t right for you and may even be dangerous. Remember that there are always more dates available – and that you’re worth the time of looking for the right one.
• Avoid sex talk for a while – Unless you’re going to a site that’s explicitly just for sexual hook ups, you want to avoid any sexual talk until you get to know the other person a little bit better. You don’t want to look like the only thing you’re interested in is sex.
• Avoid sending carbon-copy e-mails to lots and lots of women. Although dating can turn out to be a game of lotto for men, remember that nobody is flattered by a scripted, impersonal letter. Make your letters personal – you’ve much more chance of being noticed that way.

New to online dating? Read more in Online Dating for Beginners.

Tips and Ideas Advice, Beginners, Men, Rejection, Sex, Talk