hen I met my husband back in 2000, online dating was hardly considered cool. For years, I told straight lies and deflection to explain how we met, and it wasn't until eHarmony and Match.com took off that I finally felt comfortable saying, "We met online."

Today, you can't meet a single person who hasn't tried online dating. With millions of users online, platforms are doing everything they can to snag a user. But how exactly do you navigate online dating without being Catfished? Well, luckily, there are a few things you can do to stay ahead of the game.

.01 Tell the Truth, DAMN IT!

No matter how painful your past or how lame your love life, being honest about who you are, and your intentions are the key to dating success.

We've all made mistakes in relationships and have done things that we are not proud of. While it may seem as though you can be who you want to be online, lies have a way of coming to surface at the least convenient time.

.02 Post Better Photos

Dating is a bit like marketing a house. That home on the corner that looks dirty AF will likely get a pass from prospective buyers. Put some thought into a photo before you slap it on your profile (and make sure it doesn't include a toilet stall or an ex-girlfriend). And if you take poor pictures, hire an expert!

.03 Keep Communication Flowing

I get it. You're not exactly thrilled about the person you met on Tinder, so you do what most people do; you ghost and never look back. But like suggested in tip .01, TELL THE TRUTH, DAMN IT! If you're not feeling a match, communicate.

Nothing sucks more than when you've finally found someone you're interested in, only to have them disappear like they stole your Prada. Karma has a way of smacking you in the face when you least expect it, so keep the lines of communication open.

.05 Don't Rush The Meeting

Online dating can be an excellent way to meet people, but where many singles go wrong is they rush the initial meeting.

You don't need to go on a terrible first date to determine they're not "the one." If you spend more time during the vetting process through text messages or phone calls, you will learn what you need to make the time spent on date preparation worth it.