New to Dating Apps? Here Are Some Tips to get You Started

Online dating has been around for a few years now, but that doesn’t mean that everyone is a master at it. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to this stuff! Learning how to make the most of your profile and maximize your matches is hard. If you’re looking for some tips for getting matches on dating apps, look no further. Today we’re going to walk you through some of the best tips for getting started meeting new people through dating apps.

Tips for Getting Started with Dating Apps

The Basics

When it comes to dating apps, the most important thing to remember is that you need to be honest with people online. Don’t lie about your age or post a picture of yourself from a decade ago. You need to make sure you’re giving an honest look at who you are in your profile. Maybe you’re afraid that people won’t be attracted to you, but don’t start your relationships off on a lie. Nothing is a bigger red flag when meeting someone in person than their profile picture not matching what they look like in real life.

Take a Good Profile Picture

That said, your profile picture is also very important. It’s the first thing people see when they click on your profile, and first impressions are important. Make sure your profile picture has good lighting, you’re clean and look happy in it, and it’s taken from a good angle.

Here are a few tips: try taking a profile picture in natural light and holding the camera at a higher angle. High angles make you look more approachable, thinner and more optimistic. Low angles, by contrast, can make you look arrogant, heavier or even less positive. Try to avoid them!

There’s nothing wrong with your profile picture being tailored to show the best version of you. Just make sure it’s not overly-doctored to the point of being inaccurate. Authenticity is very important!

Show What You’re About

Don’t skip that bio section! People are going to want to know what kinds of things you’re into. Are you a huge gaming nerd who spends a lot of time playing retro video games? Awesome, put that in your bio! Do you love hiking, skydiving and going to the beach? Cool! Add that to your bio. Are you a bookworm who loves getting lost in a good tale? You can guess where you should be recording that info.

If people are attracted to your initial profile picture, they’re going to want to lean more. Keep it short and sweet, and don’t go on forever. Put a list of your interests and a brief summary of what you’re about. Maybe mention what you do for a living and what kind of partner you’re looking for. If you’re looking for something serious and long-term, say that. If you want more casual relationships, be up front about that in your bio. Again, honesty goes a long way towards saving you headaches down the road.

Keep Using the App (or Apps)

No matter what dating app you’re using, don’t be ashamed to use it daily. Check for your matches, browse profiles, and just generally give it some screen time. It might feel weird to be this compulsive about an app (and trust us, we hate smartphone addiction as much as you do) but in this case there’s a reason for it.

Your dating apps are using algorithms to prioritize your profile. If you don’t log in very often then it’s likely your profile isn’t near the top of most people’s lists. It’s harder to get matches when you’re not showing up for anyone! Remedy this by logging in and using the app regularly so the algorithm sorts you higher in the profile order. This allows you to stay relevant and have your profile grace more people’s screens.

Mix it Up

Don’t be afraid to mix it up and use more than one app. Maybe you first installed Tinder but you’re not having a lot of luck with it. Consider installing a few other dating apps, too! There’s nothing wrong with using two or three apps at once. By doing so you’ll not only increase your chances of meeting someone you’ll connect with, you also diversify who you’re seeing. And who’s seeing you, too!

Don’t worry if you’re not seeing immediate results. There are millions of people out there. All you need to do is relax, take it easy and keep your confidence high. You’re awesome, and you’re going to meet someone great.