Chadfishing is becoming increasingly popular on dating apps as a way to lure in female matches. My take on it? Some “chadfishers” are tricky to spot.
As someone who’s chronically online, I come across many insecure men who use this tactic. This is everything you need to know about chadfishing:
What Exactly Is “Chadfishing” and Why Does It Happen?
Have you heard of the term “Chad”? Chads are objectively attractive men, and chadfishers use those men’s photos on dating apps.
It’s mainly the “incels” (potential misogynists) that chadfish. They think women are superficial and only go for looks, especially on dating apps like Tinder.
But why do they manipulate women? I went to r/IncelExit to get an idea of these guys’ reasons, and I came up with these 2 categories:
1. Self-esteem issues
Most of them are insecure (to some degree) regarding their looks and place in life, so they chadfish to get online validation from girls online.
2. Intent to harm
Some chadfishes want to harm women. E.g., Romance scams involving money and sextortion (asking for nudes, then using them for blackmail).
The first step is gaining trust because it is necessary for persuasion. They treat women like lab rats: seeing how far they can go and how quickly they open up.
– Do you suspect your online match is chadfishing you? This is what’s been proven to spot chadfishes thus far. ⬇️
1. Use a Reverse Image Search Tool
Reverse image search tools let you upload the chadfish’s profile photo and instantly check where their selfies are being publicly used.
The CatfishLens face-search tool is my go-to because it has advanced face recognition AI that accurately identifies chadfishers & image sources.
The process is quick! You don’t need to work in IT or waste a fortune (you get 2 lookups for $5!). Just follow the steps below:
- Screenshot the guy’s profile photo
*Make sure it’s a solo face shot looking straight ahead. The face has to be fully visible.
- Upload the photo to CatfishLens
*Unlike most face recognition tools, CatfishLens doesn’t save users’ photos!
- Analyze the report page
*No need to pay extra to unlock the previews. Not in this economy.
If the photo you look up belongs to a chadfish, the results will show that different people are using it (or at the very least, inconsistent details.)
Whether your match is a small-time celebrity, model, or even random Joe, CatfishLens will find out their real identity.
🚫 I avoid search engines and free tools like Google, Bing, and Yandex for reverse photo searching since they don’t typically have face analysis AI.
2. Analyze Their Dating Profile
Check their dating profile photos: most chadfishers use images of model-looking guys (they’re HD and suspiciously flawless).
These photos give off a professional vibe but may look oddly grainy since saving them has caused the image quality to drop.
If a profile looks too perfect, I find it suspicious. Not to say Tinder doesn’t have such users, but who chadfishers decide to cosplay as have these in common:
- 10/10 looks
- High-profile job
- Genuinely interesting life (frequent traveling & socializing)
This alone won’t help you figure out if your match is chadfishing you or not, so reverse image search their dating profile and go to the following section. 👇
3. Check for Chadfishing Signs (Behavior Edition)
Chadfishers try to rush intimacy by hiding behind a charming persona. I’ve done some research and noticed most of them use the same 3-step formula:
- Initial attraction: They reach out, and everything goes smoothly
- The hook: Emotional connection builds up
- Finishing move: Requests start coming in as soon as you’ve fallen
🚩 What are the signs your online match is a chadfish?
Watch out for the formula I talked about: trying to get intimate too soon, soft-launching financial issues, or straight-up asking for money/nudes.
Chadfishers avoid going into detail when you ask them questions because they keep everything vague to avoid getting busted.
I remember when I met a chadfish on Hinge once – he convinced me to move to Instagram, presumably because Hinge has strict security.
Not my proudest moment, but at least I got to see his Instagram. The profile was unnatural. No tagged family, friends, or life history. That’s when it clicked.
4. Use Specific Anti-Chadfish Tricks
People who chadfish on dating apps have limitations as to what they can and can’t do, and I like to use them to my advantage. You can use these 5 tricks:
📸 Ask them to send you a candid pic
Chadfishes can’t snap real-time photos or videos because they’re impersonating other men. Try requesting a video call, too.
🍹 Casually bring up getting a drink
Chadfishes can’t leave cyberspace because they’re faking their identity. Invite them on a date and see if they accept, refuse, or give constant excuses.
🤥 Be vocal about their lies
Does he occasionally switch his life details? Press further. Observe the chadfish’s reaction to getting caught in a lie; he’ll likely panic.
💔 Don’t rush into a relationship
Chadfishes force emotional connection, so take things slowly. They don’t take kindly to rejection because it signals their tactics aren’t working.
⛔ Say NO to their requests
Don’t send money or nudes because that’s a chadfish’s objective. If he doesn’t get what he wants, he will eventually let his mask slip.
5. Determine to What Degree They’re Chadfishing
Based on my observations, there are 3 degrees of chadfishing: light, partial, and full-blown.
“Light” chadfishing is when a guy tweaks minor characteristics on dating apps: exaggerates his height, uses beauty filters, lies about the money he makes, etc.
A partial chadfish, on the other hand, is 50/50. For instance, he’s telling the truth about his profession & life in general, but using fake photos.
As for full-blown chadfishing, it means your online match is 100% fake: their appearance, job, social status, and basically anything they say.
– What’s the difference between CHADfishing vs. CATfishing?
Chadfishing stems from the harmful ideology that women only want an “alpha male”: over 6 feet tall, wealthy, handsome, and popular.
Catfishing targets both genders. However, in both instances, the perpetrators have ulterior motives they fulfill by fabricating an attractive profile.
The Final Verdict: Are ALL Chadfishes Dangerous?
No, not every chadfish is dangerous because a group of them are just looking for female interaction (which they don’t get IRL) by turning to dating apps.
The guys who feel as if their true selves aren’t “desirable” open misleading dating profiles without ill intent, even though lying to girls is harmful.
The harmful chadfishes think differently: yeah, they’re insecure, but they’re taking it out on women via online dating by emotionally manipulating them.
Important signs: These men get overly affectionate very early on. They then ask for money, lewd pictures, or personal details.
Some chadfishes max out your wallet, and some demand money to not share your nudes. Occasionally, they even leak private chats online.
Some plainly want to humiliate and control you, then disappear after you’ve fallen in love. One thing I know for sure is that they’re pathetic.
| *If you’re a potential victim | Reverse image search the chadfish’s profile photo, analyze their behavior & socials, and use the 5 tricks in this article. Never reveal personal info. |
| *If you’re a black-pill guy | You’re not mad at girls; you’re mad at the system men set up. Society’s standards & “chadfishing” won’t help you make real connections. |
You don’t need to be the “ideal” man to find love. You need to be authentic and stop putting the ladies in a box!
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