Doing a quick online search is a smart way to make sure your match or date check out.
But when does it cross the line?

I don't always do that, nor do I spend a lot of time on it.
Think I've only done it once or twice because there was something that didn't sit right with me.
Once learnt that he was exchanging rather serious "I love yous" with someone only 1 month prior. Not good.
And another time, was just a sexy flirt, that he was in a relationship. Also not good, lol.

It crosses the line if you keep doing it after some trust has been built. Just do it early and get it over with!

I don't waste much time, mostly because I don't usually have a real name and even if I do, there are usually several people that could have that same name,

and I don't wish to seek out information that happens to have a matching photo, to ensure that I am reading about the same person,,,

*shrugs* I think it's a good idea to date smart and informed. It could save you a lot of heartache and headache. On the other hand, no information I could find on-line could have prepared me for a couple guys I dated who turned out to be the most deceiving underhanded, controlling and mean men I've known. There were red flags, an uneasy feeling I just didn't pay attention to, and I think that is where a lot of folks make their mistake in trusting someone is not trustworthy.

Background checks are only worth what you pay for.
Free, is often inaccurate and incomplete.

... And if, you're going to check someone's background,
do so on a government hosted website.

okay I am really naive....!!!
. but by Google... does OP..
. mean..!
A... THE INTERNET..?
B... it is something new.. some new word for foreplay...?

Hi Sparkyae!

Why?
Broader scope?

Maybe that, but it's mostly for the accuracy.
I don't know even your real first name... But, if a person knew
your real first and last name, and did a random google search
on you, many of the free sites would offer to show your felony
convictions for a nominal fee. Nominal fee, is where most would
stop, and believe that you're a felon... Even if you aren't.

Or worse, you know for fact that someone is a convicted felon.
The free sites can miss that, leading the researcher to believe the felon isn't a felon.

The government hosted sites are simply less prone to such errors.

Not if it leads you to a false sense of security.
Not if you take lack of information to be confirmation of a positive opinion.
Not if you don't know any aliases.
Not if you don't take measures to differentiate between people of the same name.


Whenever you are doing something you aren't willing to tell the person you are doing it.