Bio-baiting erodes trust as dating apps confront new trend

A new dating-app phenomenon known as bio-baiting is drawing attention for undermining trust among users. The trend describes the practice of overselling oneself in a dating app bio to appear more cultured or interesting, a notion highlighted in a recent Indy100 report and echoed by coverage in The New York Post. While not labeled as outright lying, bio-baiting can mislead potential partners and contribute to disappointing first meetings as people weigh fantasy against reality.

Bio-baiting centers on listing activities one rarely pursues—skiing, hiking, horseback riding, reading, cooking—to project a more cultured, well-rounded image. The tactic is described as misleading rather than deceptive per se, but it can set expectations that are hard to meet in person and lead to bad dates. A notable takeaway from Indy100’s coverage is the risk to trust across the dating landscape, with many users feeling the exercise creates a sense of disingenuousness before any real connection is formed.

A recent survey of Wisp app users found that 63 percent admitted to feeling let down after meeting someone who didn’t live up to their carefully polished dating app profile. “The disappointment of meeting someone who doesn’t live up to their bio is a primary reason for dating app fatigue. It erodes trust and makes the entire process feel disingenuous,” said Sylvia Linzalone, who works with the dating app Wisp and was quoted by Indy100. The finding underscores how even seemingly minor embellishments can ripple through the dating economy, leaving users wary before they invest time in a match.

Experts urge readers to seek specifics over vagaries. “A traveller can be a red flag; someone who says ‘hiking the Andes next month’ is probably genuine,” Linzalone added. She emphasized realism over rhapsodizing in profiles and urged daters to meet in real life sooner rather than building a fantasy around a screen. The message is clear: authenticity matters, and the longer a person clings to a glossy persona, the more likely it is that a real connection will falter when confronted with real life.

Bio-baiting is just one of several toxic dating trends that have appeared as stressed-out singles navigate crowded dating markets. Other terms that have gained traction include “monkey-barring” and “Shrekking.” Monkey-barring describes clinging to one partner while lining up another, effectively juggling options. Shrekking refers to dating down—settling for a less compatible partner in hopes of being treated better in the long run. While the practices differ, experts say they share a common thread: a mismatch between the narrative in a profile and the realities of a relationship, which can erode trust and increase fatigue across platforms.

The phenomenon arrives amid broader conversations about authenticity in online dating. For many users, the allure of curated profiles clashes with the friction of meeting someone who doesn’t match the polished image. Consumers are advised to verify details, ask concrete questions, and prioritize meeting in person as soon as practical to curb the fantasy-building that underpins bio-baiting. As dating apps respond to evolving user concerns, the emphasis remains on trust, transparency, and real-world connection rather than glossy depiction.

As the dating landscape continues to evolve, industry observers say the resilience of online dating will depend on how well platforms can encourage honesty without stifling self-expression. For users, the takeaway is straightforward: seek specifics, test assumptions in early conversations, and arrange real-life meetings promptly to assess compatibility beyond the confines of a biosphere that may be oversold.