The Part Where You Wonder If Anyone’s Trying
Dating apps can be fun and a great way to meet new people, but they also have a way of serving the same tired patterns on repeat. After a while, you start noticing the small things that waste your time, test your patience, or make you roll your eyes before you’ve even finished reading. If you’ve ever closed an app and thought, “That’s enough for today,” this list is for you. Here are 20 things we know you're tired of seeing on dating apps.
1. “Just Ask” as a Bio
Why not take the time to build out a nicely fleshed-out bio instead? That way, it doesn't leave people wondering about the smallest things! Seeing "just ask" on someone's profile just puts all the effort on you before the conversation even starts. If someone can’t offer a single detail about themselves, it’s hard to believe they’ll show up with energy later.
2. The Profile With Only Group Photos
There's nothing more frustrating than having to play "Guess Who?" just to figure out who you’re supposed to be looking at. When every picture on someone's profile has three to eight people in it, it turns into a guessing game you didn’t sign up for. Even if you pick correctly, you’re already annoyed, and that’s not a great start. A clear photo isn’t too much to ask.
3. Filters That Change Someone’s Entire Face
Sure, a little polish is fine and shows that you care about putting up a great photo, but some profiles look like they were generated by AI. If you can’t tell what someone actually looks like, the trust is gone before you even match. You’re allowed to want honesty up front.
4. The “Fluent in Sarcasm” Personality Claim
Let's just say self-proclaimed sarcasm isn't as attractive as you think it sounds. Sarcasm isn’t a personality, and it definitely isn’t a selling point on its own. When someone leads with that line, you’re left wondering if they’re fun or just hard to talk to. It's much better experiencing those witty and light-hearted jabs in person than it is reading it on someone's profile.
5. Bios That Are Only Demands
Everyone has preferences, and while it's good to know what you like and want, a list of rules reads like an application, not a connection. If someone's entire profile is “don’t be this” and “must be that,” it’s exhausting. It also signals that they’re already irritated with strangers, which doesn't start things off on a good note.
6. The “I’m Never On Here” Opener
If you’re never on the app, why are you on the app? This line often feels like a lazy way to avoid engaging while still collecting matches. It can also be a setup for pushing you off-platform immediately, which isn’t always safe or comfortable. If someone wants to date, showing up consistently matters.
7. A Bio That’s Just an Instagram Handle
Someone who only puts their Instagram handle in their bio is not serious. They're just looking for more followers! When the profile offers no info, it’s hard not to assume attention is the main goal. Even if they’re genuinely dating, it still feels impersonal.
8. The One-Word Conversation Starter
“Hey” isn’t offensive or wrong, it's just, well, uninspiring and bland. It asks you to do all the work of creating momentum from nothing. After you’ve seen it a hundred times, it starts to feel like a copy-paste gesture.
9. The Profile That’s All Travel Brags
Travel can be interesting, but nonstop destination name-dropping gets old fast. It can come off like they’re trying to impress you rather than share who they are. Plus, if travelling is their whole personality, it just makes them appear as if they're not looking to settle down.
10. “No Drama” as a Headline
Most people aren't looking for drama, so saying it isn’t as meaningful as you think. When someone writes this, you may suspect they’ve had conflict in the past and learned nothing from it. It's also a headline that gives zero insight into who the person actually is.
11. The “My Friends Made This Profile” Explanation
It might be true, but it's a quick way to make someone look uninterested and lazy. If they didn’t care enough to make their own profile, you'll instantly wonder how invested they actually are in dating. There's also a good chance the person you're charmed by isn't actually the person who's in the profile.
12. Photos That Are All Sunglasses and Hats
At a certain point, it feels like you’re being prevented from seeing their face on purpose. One or two is fine, but when every photo hides key features, it raises questions. You shouldn’t have to guess what someone looks like in normal lighting with their eyes visible. Clear photos are basic courtesy.
13. The Profile That Says Nothing but “Good Vibes”
Positive energy is great, but this phrase doesn’t tell you anything. It’s vague enough to mean whatever the reader wants, which makes it feel empty, and it's far too overused to make it anything meaningful.
14. The Unclear Relationship Intent
If you're on the dating apps, we're guessing the most important info to you is what kind of relationship other people want to be in. When someone won’t state what they’re looking for, it can lead to mismatched expectations and wasted time even if you get along. Being honest doesn’t have to be intense; it just needs to be clear.
15. “Work Hard, Play Hard” on Repeat
It’s a familiar line, but on dating apps, it can come across as cheesy and cringey. You still don’t know what their weekdays look like or what “play” means to them. The phrase often signals they haven’t thought about their bio beyond a cliché. You want a profile that sounds like a real person wrote it.
16. The Endless List of Inside Jokes
If someone's whole bio reads like it’s meant for someone else, that just comes across as if they're already taken! Inside jokes can be charming in small doses, but too many make the profile feel closed off.
17. The Aggressively Negative “Swipe Left If…” Section
Hey, let people decide for themselves! Bios in people's profiles should never read like a yes or no question. Even if you qualify, it’s hard to feel excited after reading something so combative. A calmer approach communicates the same boundaries without turning people off.
18. Profiles With No Recent Photos
Photos should always be up to date so people know what you look like now. It’s frustrating when you can’t tell if the pictures are from last month or ten years ago. Outdated photos create uncertainty, and uncertainty kills attraction quickly. Keeping photos current isn’t about perfection, it’s about accuracy and honesty.
Connor Scott McManus on Pexels
19. The Bio That’s Just Height and Nothing Else
Believe it or not, there's more to attraction than just how tall you are. Height can be a preference for some, but it isn’t a full introduction. When that’s the only detail, it suggests they’re relying on a number to do all the work.
The Match Who Never Actually Talks
Getting a match and then receiving silence is one of the most draining parts of the whole experience. It turns the app into a collection game instead of a way to meet people. Even a short message is better than leaving someone hanging indefinitely. If they’re not ready to engage, they shouldn’t be matching in the first place.
