How Do People Pick Dates Online?

People use online dating sites to find love. But how do they pick who to message or reply to? It's not just about looks or age. Men often look for younger women. Women care more about money and education. But it's not always that simple. Distance matters too. People are more likely to message someone close by. Photos also play a big role. More photos mean more messages. But not all choices are thoughtful. Some are just random. What people say they want and what they actually do can be different. For example, someone might say they want a partner with a high income. But in reality, they might reply to messages from people with lower incomes. This gap is important to understand. Online dating sites can use this info to suggest better matches. But they need to tell the difference between real preferences and random choices. This can make dating sites more helpful. Understanding these patterns can improve online dating. It's not just about swiping right or left. It's about real preferences and behaviors.