Everyone’s doing it and I’m sure you have too! Whether you’re in a relationship, looking for one, or playing the host on Cheaters for yourself or for a BFF, you’ve run a person’s search online. A recent survey, conducted by Intelitech, Inc., the creators of PhoneFling, polled 275,000 of its members, and 62% support this fact.

Actually, that 62%, more specifically, have searched online for an ex. The survey results did not confirm why but come on, we all know why. For guys, it’s to see what new loser your whore of an ex is contaminating now. And for girls, it’s just what we do. I’m guessing the majority of that 62% are chicks….scorned chicks! (Guilty.)

But searching online for someone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s a way to do your background checks before setting yourself up for failure all over again. But if you’re having to pay for services to obtain a person’s information, then you are borderline stalker…not cool.

Other statistics in the survey reflect how the influence of increasing social media trends, online dating included, has really changed the dating game. The popularity of online dating services has morphed from a quick and easy way to meet your match to a quick and easy way to create an online, uninhibited persona; one that some may not actually demonstrate in real life.

Surprisingly, 64.1% said that they are less likely to do this though it is a top concern. How do you know the person really is who they say they are or look the way they look in their profile in real life (IRL)? That’s just it. You don’t. But if you’re ever at a point where you are ready to take this online affair to an offline meeting “IRL”, choose a meeting location with lots of windows that face a crowded street. That way you can sneak a peek before your meeting begins. If he/she is not for you, keep going and block him/her from any of your social media networks. Otherwise, rock on and keep it wrapped! (That’s another thing that won’t be disclosed online.)