The game is to be sold, not told. Social media is changing the dating landscape.

If you’re not with the movement, you’re in the minority and need some catching up. Obviously things have changed with social communication.

The rise of apps such as Twitter, Facebook, Tinder, Instagram and Snapchat caused the inevitable fall of the traditional “Hi, my name is … Nice to meet you,” style of communication. No longer does a person have to fret potential embarrassment of on-the-spot rejection. They’re not interested? Cool. Unfollow, block, delete. On to the next attractive person.

That’s how it works.  

Ten percent of Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 used online dating sites in 2014, according to pewresearch.org. Now, let’s consider the typical college student’s age on Wichita State’s campus. It is true that not everyone on campus possesses the sureness of a GQ model to fearlessly approach a male or female whom they deem attractive. It doesn’t always work that way. Besides, why risk embarrassment when it’s easier to find his or her name, add them on Facebook, and follow on Twitter on Instagram, right? Unfortunately, that’s how it works these days.

A lot easier, right? Well, don’t get too excited. I have one piece of advice for anyone who’s buying into the hype. Proceed with caution.

Ever hear of the phrase “Everything that glitters isn’t gold”? Yes? No? Either way, it applies to social media. Be mindful that every pretty face you see on social media may not — believe me on this — be all it’s hyped up to be.

People lie in their bios. Make-up and filters (no shade) are game changers. The guy that you may think is successful and well off could be taking pictures with borrowed clothes standing to the nice car, which is likely rented — or not his. Again, no shade, but I’ve seen it all.

If you want to increase your chances of getting the person you desire — in person or through social media — there’s protocol. Back then, it took genuine time to figure a person out. Sometimes it takes months — years — to get to know a person. Not anymore.

Want to know what that alluring woman is like? Easy. I got you. Give me her Twitter, Facebook — especially her Instagram — and I’ll tell you all you need to know. It’s really that easy.

Social media makes everything about a person’s personality and living habits easier, quicker, to observe unlike traditional dating to find out. Like they say: you are what you eat. Well, you are what you tweet/post.

That’s the message you’re sending out to the world about yourself. Whether it’s for entertainment purposes or not, once it’s out there we have the right to hold you accountable.

Watch everything before making a move. Would you take a test without studying? Successful people don’t.

If you want to be successful in the new social media-dating realm, you need to study — know what you could potentially be getting yourself into.

You don’t want to get Catfished. And if you don’t know what Catchfishing is, stop what you’re doing, Google “Manti Te’o’s girlfriend,” and re-visit this column. You’ll understand.

Nonetheless, I figured this would be the most sufficient way to sum up the pressing decision between liking a person’s picture or not; following or unfollowing; commenting with the elusive flirtatious heart-faced emoji; sliding into her DM’s or not.

It’s not rocket science, but there’s a science to it.