Dating app pictures: 10 crucial do’s and don’ts to get matches

Setting up your dating app profile can be tricky, especially if you’re looking for love. Whether you’re using Tinder, Bumble, Hinge or any app that requires pictures and swiping, you don’t want to ruin your chances of finding the one by posting pictures that send the wrong message.

Here are 10 crucial do's and don’ts to keep in mind when making your profile.

1. Do start with a clear portrait and a smile

It might seem like a no-brainer, but physical attraction is key in dating. Don’t make people have to click on your profile and swipe through six pictures to see what your face looks like.

Your first picture should always be a clear portrait showing your beautiful smile.

If you’re a straight man, you might even want to go for a black and white picture: it gives you a classy and mysterious look, as studies suggest.

2. Do post a group picture with friends or family

Have you heard of the cheerleader effect? It’s a marketing strategy used by big companies like Starbucks: in order to make the new pink-magic-glittery-latte more attractive to customers, they pair it with a couple of muffins and doughnuts on the poster. And you know what? It works for dating as well!

People tend to be attracted to what they consider to be popular. You make yourself look popular by being surrounded by others.

Obviously, don’t use a group picture as you first picture. But having a picture somewhere on your profile that shows you have a social life can make you look more approachable.

3. Do post a picture of a hobby

A hobby picture shows a part of your personality. It immediately tells people something about you without even having to send a single message.

It also gives people an excuse to text you. They can say “Hey, I also like playing tennis!” or “Oh, wow! I’ve never tried skiing. Is it fun?” And just like that, you’ve got a conversation starter.

If you don’t have a hobby, please get one. Interesting people have interests and you want to make yourself datable and interesting.

4. Do add a picture of you traveling

Traveling makes you seem adventurous and cultured. It shows you’re open-minded and curious.

Just like for hobbies, traveling pictures give your future matches something to talk about. It helps them avoid the basic “Hey. What’s up?”.

Remember: you want to make it easy for people to text you.

5. Do have at least one full-body picture

It doesn’t matter how big or small you are, you’ve got to be okay with the idea that people have preferences. You are probably gorgeous the way you are today, but if you hate your body, do something about it.

People have the right to know what you look like before the date comes. Nobody likes to feel catfished.

6. Don’t post naked or half naked pictures

Thirst traps are a very clear sign that you’re only looking for a hookup. So, if it is a relationship you’re after, you really don’t want to send the wrong message.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking people will like you more if they see how sexy you look in a bikini before the first date.

7. Don’t post blurry pictures

Another no-brainer here, but still worth mentioning: blurry pictures are the most useless types of pictures. Okay, it can be artistic I guess… but people are not here to see how edgy you are.

They’re just curious what you look like. Posting clear pictures is literally the bare minimum.

8. Don’t try to hide your flaws

I don’t care how crooked your teeth are and how thick your monobrow is (actually I do care about the brow, and you should do something about it immediately, even if you’re a man), don’t hide your “flaws”.

Nobody will fall in love with your personality after texting for a week to the point that they won’t care about your teeth.

People have preferences. If a person sees crooked teeth as a big dealbreaker and swipes left, good! It just means that person wasn’t for you (or that you need to go to the dentist).

9. Don’t post “grumpy” pictures

As aesthetically pleasing an artistic dark picture of you looking like a model on cocaine can be, that kind of picture belongs on Instagram. Not on your dating app profile.

People usually want someone kind and fun to be around. Grumpy pictures don’t make you look kind and fun to be around. Avoid sending the wrong message and prioritize pictures that make you look... likeable.

10. Don’t post drunk pictures

While there’s nothing wrong with posting a picture of you having an espresso martini with your friends, please, keep it classy.

Don’t post that stupid picture where you’re drinking wine directly out of the bottle or where you’re clearly too drunk to stand on your feet. While you might think these pictures make you look approachable and sexy, you don’t want to look like you have no self-control or self-respect.

Bottom line

Remember that your pictures are a way of introducing yourself. If you want to find love, don’t act like you’re only looking to have a couple of one-night-stands. It might push the right person away.