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Conspiracy Theories and Online Dating: It's a (Mis)match!
Ricky Green1, Lea C Kamitz1, Daniel Toribio-Flórez1
1University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|January 7, 2026
Summary
Sharing conspiracy theories in online dating profiles negatively impacts relationship intentions. Political orientation influences these perceptions, with liberals being more critical than conservatives.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Political Psychology
- Relationship Science
Background:
- Conspiracy beliefs are known to strain interpersonal relationships.
- The specific impact of sharing conspiracy theories on forming new relationships, particularly in online dating contexts, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how displaying conspiracy theories in online dating profiles affects interpersonal impressions and relationship initiation intentions.
- To explore whether political orientation moderates these effects.
Main Methods:
- Four preregistered experiments (N = 1,603) were conducted.
- Participants evaluated online dating profiles that varied in the inclusion and type of conspiracy theories.
- A mock dating app scenario was used in one experiment.
Main Results:
- Profiles with right-wing conspiracy theories received less favorable impressions and reduced relationship intentions.
- Implausible left-wing conspiracy theories also elicited negative reactions.
- Participants showed less interest in profiles sharing conspiracy theories, with liberals being more critical and conservatives more lenient.
Conclusions:
- Sharing conspiracy theories in online dating profiles can significantly hinder relationship formation.
- Political orientation plays a crucial role in how conspiracy beliefs expressed online are perceived and influence relationship intentions.
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