Online dating is more popular than ever.
In Belgium, hundreds of thousands of people use dating apps like Tinder, Bumble or Hinge every week. Yet there’s a growing frustration among users: fake profiles and bots. In this blog, we dive deeper into what these problems are, why they’re so common on traditional dating apps, and how Celsius, a Belgian app for higher-educated people, tackles these frustrations with a completely different approach.
Fake profiles and bots: a widespread problem
On classic dating apps, you’ll quickly come across profiles that seem too good to be true... and they usually are. Many apps struggle with fake accounts or bots that automatically send messages to lure users to external websites or collect data. Some profiles are even AI-generated and look like real people... until you realize the conversation makes no sense.
According to a study by Global Dating Insights, up to 12% of all profiles on some major apps are fake. Bots are becoming increasingly harder to detect, especially for new users. Many people admit they no longer know who’s real and who’s not.
Celsius: verification and genuine matches
Celsius is a new Belgian dating app that tackles these problems from the ground up. The app is exclusively for students and graduates: you can only log in after a strict verification based on your enrollment at a university or college, or an official degree. This instantly rules out fake profiles and bots.
With Celsius, you can trust that everyone you match with is a real person, with a higher educational background. No spam, no fake identities. Plus, Celsius focuses on serious, respectful interactions between people with a similar mindset.
Why does this approach work?
Because users have to verify themselves, a completely different dynamic emerges. You know you’re talking to a fellow student, an alumnus, or someone who is at least enrolled in a bachelor’s program. This raises the quality of conversation, and people take each other more seriously. Ghosting happens far less, because users might actually run into each other in real life through study or alumni circles.
Celsius also has no paid boosts or “buy more likes” mechanisms. Everything is free and designed to promote genuine connections rather than endless swiping with no result.
In short: less frustration, more real connections
Fake profiles and bots are real issues on dating apps. They lead to frustration, wasted time, and a lack of trust in the system. Celsius offers a different path: a safe, controlled community of students and graduates. By verifying everyone beforehand and focusing on quality over quantity, honest conversations emerge between people who genuinely want to connect.
Want to date without bots?
Meet people who truly match your vibe.
Download Celsius for free and join the next generation of dating.
