Signing up for a dating app should be signing up for endless romantic possibilities. Despite the opportunity, many users find themselves stuck in an infinite loop of dead-end conversations and few legitimate matches. It's easy to blame the algorithm, but sometimes it's small missteps that are working against you.
With a few changes to your dating app approach and strategy, you can improve your chances of making a genuine connection with another person and end the cycle of endless swiping and lame first dates.
Use these tips to have better luck on dating apps and focus on authenticity and intention, which are often lacking in most profiles and interactions.
Say Something In Your Profile
Don't treat your profile as a collection of photos and a surface bio that mentions how you like the beach and ice cream. Too many people rely on vague phrases about how they love to travel. Your profile is your opportunity to tell potential matches something about your desires, life, and personality.
Be specific by mentioning your actual favorite travel destination, your favorite hobby, and some simple details about your life that might spark another user's curiosity. Photos are also important. Use clear, recent photos where your face is visible. Group photos aren't a great idea, so instead mix up your photo offering with a close-up, full-body photo, and one of you doing something you enjoy.
Master The Art of the First Message
"Hey" and "What's up?" are terrible first messages. You'll never stand out in a crowded inbox. Instead, use their profile to your advantage. Comment on something specific, like a photo or a hobby. This conveys that you took some time to review their profile and get to know them on some level.
You should keep your messages light and open-ended. Try to invite some storytelling into the conversation, not one-word answers. It's also a bad idea to intensely compliment someone or jump straight into deep topics. Furthermore, try to leave politics aside until the second or third date.
Be Intentional
You might struggle on dating apps because you don't know what you want. Being intentional doesn't mean providing a list of rigid requirements. It means having a sense of what you're looking for and acting in accordance with it.
That said, flexibility is key. Dating apps expose you to people you probably wouldn't otherwise meet, and being overly strict can lead to some missed connections. Focus on core values and not surface preferences. If someone isn't your ideal type, they may still check a lot of your boxes. Prioritize values, life goals, and communication style when considering matches on a dating profile.
You don't have to rely on luck to find success on dating apps. A better strategy is to have a thoughtful profile, try to have more engaging conversations, and operate with clear intentions. Be specific about who you are, and put effort into your first message. The goal is to stop hoping for an opportunity to strike and start creating romantic opportunities through intention. Dating apps are just tools. It's on you to make meaningful connections.
