They can be, but verifying everything is close to factual is hard to do. I do think that what makes the friendship is key - if it’s something that’s enjoyed online, then odds are you aren’t going to be completely compatible IRL with other things, maybe even most things past the one thing you share. If it’s more general things, then the odds go up a bit, but you still don’t know the “vibe” the person gives off in reality, so there could be traits that you’re better off not knowing about. However, I met my wife online (back before “real” internet on Quantum Link, a national BBS for C-64) and we’re still compatible, so it can happen. Granted, it was a lot different then, but there were fakes and scammers then too.
They can be, but verifying everything is close to factual is hard to do. I do think that what makes the friendship is key - if it’s something that’s enjoyed online, then odds are you aren’t going to be completely compatible IRL with other things, maybe even most things past the one thing you share. If it’s more general things, then the odds go up a bit, but you still don’t know the “vibe” the person gives off in reality, so there could be traits that you’re better off not knowing about. However, I met my wife online (back before “real” internet on Quantum Link, a national BBS for C-64) and we’re still compatible, so it can happen. Granted, it was a lot different then, but there were fakes and scammers then too.