“1 in 5 respondents said they had used it to research a potential partner

“26% said that it’s “fair game” to use it for dating

“1 in 8 respondents said they formed romantic relationships that began on the platform.

“Because there’s no universal agreement on where networking ends and flirting begins,” the report continues, “every romantic outreach becomes a social gamble that’s just as likely to result in a block as it is a date.”

“LinkedIn has inadvertently become the blue checkmark of the dating world, serving as a more reliable background check than traditional dating apps,” the report says. “In an era of online ghosting and deception, a resume and a verified career history are now viewed as the real indicators of stability and character.”

“65% of respondents worried that dating through the site could harm their reputation

“nearly 50% believe that the information listed on LinkedIn is more trustworthy than the information that’s listed on dating profiles.

“The modern workforce doesn't separate professional and personal identity as neatly as it once did,” Escalera said. “LinkedIn profiles now communicate far more than someone's job title. They offer insight into personality, values, and credibility, which helps explain why some people are looking beyond networking and viewing the platform through a more personal lens.”