The Struggle of Internet Dating, In GIFs

Catfishing, white lies, and other terrifying surprises.

February 5, 2013

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original

In an age where "catfishing" abounds to the point that it has become a verb, online dating can be a terrifying prospect. As if it weren't difficult enough to connect with real, live humans in person, the Internet makes the process even more vexing. What's a modern man to do?

The hell if we know! But we're here to commiserate with your Match.com plight. If you're miserable, find company in these small moments of animation.

Sit back, and shake your head in recognition: This is The Struggle of Internet Dating, In GIFs.

LIKE COMPLEX CITY GUIDE ON FACEBOOK

The hell if we know! But we're here to commiserate with your Match.com plight. If you're miserable, find company in these small moments of animation.

Sit back, and shake your head in recognition: This is The Struggle of Internet Dating, In GIFs.

LIKE COMPLEX CITY GUIDE ON FACEBOOK

When you find out she lied-she actually hates dogs, foreign flicks, and Frank Ocean.

When you find out she lied—she actually hates dogs, foreign flicks, and Frank Ocean.

When you have amazing chemistry online and none in person.

When you're in a coffee shop waiting to meet her, creepily grilling every person that walks in.

When you think you've found a "good one"...and then she mentions she's a stripper/meth dealer/man.

When you don't call her back and she starts stalking you on Twitter/Instagram/every social media platform ever invented.

When she described herself as a "freak," but refuses to kiss you until the third date.

When she fails to mention she's pregnant, married, and/or has three children.

When you think you hit it off and she never calls back.

When your current girlfriend stumbles across your "old" profile.

When your girlfriend stumbles across your "old" profile.

When her profile reads like cheesy romance novel.

When her profile reads like a corny-ass romance novel.

When she brings up her medical condition/mental illness/sex change on the first date.

When she brings up her medical condition/mental illness/sex change on your first date.

When she tells you she's not looking for a boyfriend, she's looking for a husband.

When her profile says she's looking for "casual sex," and she admits she's actually looking for a husband.

When she looks nothing like her picture.

When she spends the entire time talking about her job, her cats, and her ex-boyfriend, and doesn't let you get a word in edgewise.

When you get catfished.

Editor's Pick

Magazine cover with bold text "Complex's Best Albums of the Year...So Far" and images of fire and a person in a white dress.

Music The Best Albums Of 2026 (So Far)

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, we offer up some tips for how to properly wear and style soccer jerseys.

Style How to Style Soccer Jerseys

Magazine cover featuring rappers Drake, Jay-Z, and Tierra Whack, titled "Complex's Best Rap Verses of the Year So Far."

Music The 15 Best Rap Verses Of 2026 (So Far)

Four individuals are featured in a "Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking" graphic, with bold text in the background. The figures are Fat Joe and Jadakiss, DJ Akademiks, and Loren LoRosa.

Music Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking: The 2026 Edition

Air Jordan 11 'Space Jam,' Air Jordan 3 'Laser,' Air Jordan 4 'Bred'

Sneakers Every Air Jordan Releasing in 2026

The Struggle of Internet Dating, In GIFs

Catfishing, white lies, and other terrifying surprises.

When you find out she lied-she actually hates dogs, foreign flicks, and Frank Ocean.

When you find out she lied—she actually hates dogs, foreign flicks, and Frank Ocean.

When you have amazing chemistry online and none in person.

When you have amazing chemistry online and none in person.

When you're in a coffee shop waiting to meet her, creepily grilling every person that walks in.

When you're in a coffee shop waiting to meet her, creepily grilling every person that walks in.

When you think you've found a "good one"...and then she mentions she's a stripper/meth dealer/man.

When you think you've found a "good one"...and then she mentions she's a stripper/meth dealer/man.

When you don't call her back and she starts stalking you on Twitter/Instagram/every social media platform ever invented.

When you don't call her back and she starts stalking you on Twitter/Instagram/every social media platform ever invented.

When she described herself as a "freak," but refuses to kiss you until the third date.

When she described herself as a "freak," but refuses to kiss you until the third date.

When she fails to mention she's pregnant, married, and/or has three children.

When she fails to mention she's pregnant, married, and/or has three children.

When you think you hit it off and she never calls back.

When you think you hit it off and she never calls back.

When your current girlfriend stumbles across your "old" profile.

When your girlfriend stumbles across your "old" profile.

When her profile reads like cheesy romance novel.

When her profile reads like a corny-ass romance novel.

When she brings up her medical condition/mental illness/sex change on the first date.

When she brings up her medical condition/mental illness/sex change on your first date.

When she tells you she's not looking for a boyfriend, she's looking for a husband.

When her profile says she's looking for "casual sex," and she admits she's actually looking for a husband.

When she looks nothing like her picture.

When she looks nothing like her picture.

When she spends the entire time talking about her job, her cats, and her ex-boyfriend, and doesn't let you get a word in edgewise.

When she spends the entire time talking about her job, her cats, and her ex-boyfriend, and doesn't let you get a word in edgewise.

When you get catfished.

When you get catfished.

Trending

Editor's Pick