Catfishing Lite: Subtle Deception on Dating Apps
Kittenfishing is when you misrepresent yourself on dating apps, but not to catfish extremes. Think: photos from 5 years ago, adding 2 inches to your height, exaggerating your job title, or using strategic angles to hide weight.
Named by Hinge
Dating app Hinge popularized the term in February 2017 as part of their marketing campaign highlighting common dating app deceptions. It’s a play on “catfishing” (full fake identity) — kittenfishing is the smaller, cuter version.
Common Kittenfishing Tactics
Photos:
- Using old pictures (pre-weight gain, pre-hairline recession)
- Heavy filters (FaceTune, Snapchat filters)
- Strategic angles (MySpace angle for hiding double chin)
- Photos only with attractive friends to look better by association
- Cropping exes out of couple photos
Profile lies:
- Height inflation (+2-3 inches)
- Job title exaggeration (“CEO” of a one-person business)
- Age reduction (subtracting 3-5 years)
- Listing hobbies you did once (“loves hiking” = went once in 2019)
- Outdated interest claims
Why People Kittenfish
Psychology behind it:
- Insecurity — worry real self won’t get matches
- Competition — everyone else is doing it
- Future promises — “I’m going to lose weight/finish that degree”
- Self-deception — genuinely see themselves as the enhanced version
- Low stakes — seems harmless compared to full catfishing
The First Date Reveal
Kittenfishing creates awkward IRL moments:
- Visible disappointment when you don’t match photos
- Height difference becomes obvious standing next to someone
- Conversation reveals exaggerated accomplishments
- Chemistry fizzles due to breach of trust
Is It That Bad?
Defenders argue: Everyone puts their best foot forward
Critics counter: Intentional deception erodes trust from the start
Hinge’s data: 38% of women and 24% of men admit to kittenfishing. But 57% of daters say they’d end things if they discovered they’d been kittenfished.
Cultural Shift
By 2020, dating app culture normalized:
- Photo verification (Bumble, Tinder)
- Video chat pre-dates (COVID accelerated this)
- Full-body photos as requirement
- Instagram linking for profile transparency
Sources
- Hinge: “Kittenfishing: The New Online Dating Trend” (2017)
- NBC News: “What is ‘kittenfishing’? And are you doing it?” (2017)
- Psychology Today: “The Problem With Kittenfishing in Online Dating” (2019)