Seemingly innocent behaviors that count as cheating in romantic relationships: survey

One in seven Americans (15%) who are married or in a relationship admit they have romantic feelings for someone who isn’t their partner, according to new research.The survey of 2,000 Americans revealed that Gen Z Americans were the most likely generation to be smitten with a person outside their relationship (31%), with millennials close behind (21%).Men surveyed were also more likely to admit this, with 19% saying they’ve got their eyes on a third party, compared to just 12% of women.Conducted by Talker Research, the survey delved deeper into relationships and probed Americans on what is officially considered cheating in 2026.The research revealed that getting physical with someone other than your partner is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ways to cheat.For 41% of Americans polled, keeping an ongoing flirtatious text conversation going with someone other than your partner is considered an unfaithful act.Maintaining a dating app profile “just to look” or for validation (37%) was also top-ranked, as well as keeping someone in your phone under a fake name (37%), deleting messages so your partner doesn’t see them (36%), as well as secretly keeping in touch with an ex (36%).Having a “work spouse” is also considered a fatal relationship breach for 33% of Americans, with 27% agreeing on a “Close Friends” Instagram list that doesn’t include their current partner.However, recognizing cheating doesn’t mean respondents are always innocent of it themselves.Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

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Never miss a story.According to the results, one in ten Americans admit they’re guilty of deleting messages so their partner doesn’t see, while eight percent have secretly met up with someone one-on-one.Another eight percent have had a secret friendship their partner d...