A plain-English online dating glossary for seniors

Algorithm

The computer system a dating service uses to decide which profiles or suggestions to show you.

In practice: It may consider your filters, location and activity, but it cannot measure compatibility with certainty.

Block

A safety control that stops another account from contacting you or viewing parts of your profile.

In practice: You do not owe anyone a warning before blocking them if their contact feels unsafe, pushy or unwanted.

See how reporting and blocking differ →

Bot

An automated account or program that sends messages without a real person writing each reply.

In practice: Repetitive, instant or oddly generic responses can be a warning sign, although awkward writing alone is not proof of a bot.

Breadcrumbing

Sending occasional messages or signs of interest to keep someone engaged without making a clear effort to build a relationship.

In practice: Look at the pattern of behaviour rather than one delayed reply.

Catfishing

Pretending to be someone else online, usually by using a false identity, story or photographs.

In practice: A video call can reduce uncertainty, but no single check guarantees that every claim is true.

Find scam and identity-help resources →

Casual dating

Dating without an agreed expectation of a committed or long-term relationship.

In practice: People use the term differently, so ask what it means to the person using it.

Companionship

A connection centred on company, shared activities and affection, which may or may not include sex, cohabitation or marriage.

In practice: It is a valid relationship goal and worth stating clearly in your profile.

Read our companionship after 50 guide →

Consent

A clear, voluntary and informed agreement to a particular interaction.

In practice: Consent is ongoing, can be withdrawn, and agreeing to one thing does not mean agreeing to another.

Dating profile

The information, photographs and preferences you publish to introduce yourself on a dating service.

In practice: A useful profile is specific and honest without revealing your address, routine or financial details.

Read the profile FAQs →

Direct message (DM)

A private message sent between accounts rather than posted publicly.

In practice: Moving to text, email or another app can remove some of the original platform’s safety and reporting controls.

DTR (define the relationship)

A conversation about what two people are doing and whether they want the connection to be casual, exclusive or committed.

In practice: It is a conversation, not a demand for a particular answer.

Exclusive

An agreement that the people involved will not date or pursue other people.

In practice: Do not assume exclusivity from frequent contact alone; discuss it directly.

Fake profile

An account containing invented, stolen or materially misleading identity information.

In practice: Fake profiles can be used for scams, harassment or simply misrepresentation. Report them through the service.

Financial grooming

A gradual process of building trust and emotional dependence before introducing requests involving money, accounts or investments.

In practice: The request may come weeks or months into a seemingly caring relationship. Never send money to an online match.

Read Scamwatch relationship-scam advice ↗

Ghosting

Ending contact without explanation by suddenly stopping replies.

In practice: It can feel personal, but it often tells you more about the other person’s communication than your worth.

Hook-up

An informal term for a sexual or physically intimate encounter, often without a commitment.

In practice: The exact meaning varies, so do not rely on the label instead of a clear conversation about boundaries and consent.

Image-based abuse

Sharing or threatening to share an intimate image or video without the person’s consent.

In practice: It can affect people of any age. eSafety can explain reporting and removal options.

Get help from eSafety ↗

Incognito or private mode

A paid or free platform setting that may limit who can see your profile or when your activity is visible.

In practice: The exact controls differ by service. It does not make you anonymous to the provider or guarantee privacy.

Living apart together (LAT)

A committed relationship in which each partner keeps a separate home.

In practice: This can suit people who value independence, established routines or family responsibilities.

Long-distance relationship

A relationship in which the people live far enough apart that regular in-person meetings require planning or travel.

In practice: Discuss realistic travel, costs and expectations early—especially in regional Australia.

Compare dating guidance by state →

Love bombing

An intense rush of praise, attention or promises used to create fast emotional closeness or influence.

In practice: Enthusiasm alone is not proof of manipulation, but pressure for immediate commitment, secrecy or money is a serious warning sign.

Match

A person suggested by a service, or two people who have both indicated interest in each other.

In practice: A match means there is permission to start a conversation—not that compatibility has been established.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

An account-security step requiring another proof of identity in addition to a password.

In practice: If a dating or email service offers it, switching it on makes account takeover harder.

Review Australian cyber-security steps ↗

Mutual match

A match created after both people independently express interest.

In practice: Some services allow messages only after this happens.

Orbiting

When someone stops direct conversation but continues to view, follow or react to your online activity.

In practice: You can remove, mute or block them if the attention is uncomfortable.

Polyamory or ethical non-monogamy

Relationship structures in which people knowingly and consensually have, or may have, more than one romantic or sexual relationship.

In practice: The defining ideas are informed consent and honesty; secrecy or cheating is not the same thing.

Profile prompt

A question or sentence starter on a dating profile designed to help someone show their personality.

In practice: Specific answers—such as a favourite weekend activity—give matches an easier way to begin a conversation.

Red flag

A behaviour or inconsistency that suggests extra caution may be needed.

In practice: Examples include pressure, controlling language, repeated boundary-pushing, conflicting stories and requests for money.

Relationship scam or romance scam

Fraud in which someone uses a supposed friendship or romance to gain money, financial access, personal information or another benefit.

In practice: The relationship can be cultivated for a long time before the request appears.

Use our scam-response resource list →

Report

Sending a concern to a dating service so it can review an account, message or behaviour against its rules.

In practice: Reporting may help protect other users. Save relevant evidence before an account or conversation disappears.

Romance baiting

A scam in which apparent romantic interest is used to draw a person into an investment or cryptocurrency scheme.

In practice: Do not invest through a link, app or person introduced by an online match.

See Scamwatch’s explanation ↗

Search radius

The maximum distance from your location used to find potential matches.

In practice: Start with a distance you would genuinely travel for an ordinary coffee date, then expand gradually if needed.

Read practical local dating guides →

Sexting

Sending sexual messages, images or videos electronically.

In practice: Consent and privacy still apply. Once content is sent, you cannot fully control whether it is copied or stored.

Sextortion

Blackmail involving a nude or sexual image or video, including a threat to share it unless money or more content is provided.

In practice: Do not pay or send more content. Stop contact, preserve evidence and seek help from eSafety.

Find eSafety reporting help ↗

Situationship

A romantic or sexual connection whose expectations or commitment have not been clearly defined.

In practice: If ambiguity is making you unhappy, ask directly what each person wants.

Swipe

The gesture used on many dating apps to indicate interest or pass on a profile.

In practice: The direction and meaning can vary by app, so check the on-screen labels.

Two-factor authentication (2FA)

Another name for an account-security method that asks for a second proof in addition to your password.

In practice: Use a unique password as well; never share a login code with a match.

Unmatch

Removing a match so the conversation ends and the other account can no longer contact you through that match.

In practice: If conduct may need investigation, take screenshots and report before unmatching when it is safe to do so.

Verified profile

A profile that has completed a check chosen by the platform, such as a selfie, phone or identity check.

In practice: Verification can be useful, but it is not a character reference and does not prove every profile claim.

Video date

A planned conversation by video before or instead of meeting in person.

In practice: It can help confirm that conversation flows and that the person resembles their recent photos, without revealing your home address.