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Online dating is now a $1 billion-a-year industry, and it's given rise to new professions — personal ad ghostwriters and photographers who will make you more beautiful and more interesting.

Any photo can be digitally manipulated to whisk away rolls of fat and wrinkles. Many online daters simply post old pictures. When you meet them in person they're 10 years older, 30 pounds heavier and bald.

"There are a lot of ethical questions," says Karen Berntson, co-founder of Noticeyou.com, a photo service just for Internet daters.

"It's easy enough to deceive someone, but what's the point? You eventually have to meet."

In response to rampant fraud, dating services like Match.com and True.com are working on methods to certify the accuracy of pictures on their Web sites. Consider it a move toward truth in advertising.

"If you go to the trouble to sign up for a dating service, you want a real photographer," Berntson says. "If you get married, you'd hire a pro, not to make you look like someone else, but to picture you at your best."

Of course, if you're recently divorced, you can always use your wedding photograph, assuming you can cut your spouse out of the picture. "Don't laugh," Berntson says. "People do that."

6. Online Cyranos on Call: Even if you're happy with your face, you can't post an online personal ad without a self description. Can't write? Don't worry. For centuries, people have been getting help with love notes. These days, Cyrano is online.

Sites like ProfileDoctor.com read your personal ad and send feedback within 48 hours — for just $28.