Getting the Most Out of Tinder – 6 Tips to Swipe Right On

If you’ve spent any amount of time online dating, you’ll know that creating a profile comes with a lot of pressure. It takes time, effort, and maybe a little bit of luck to craft the perfect profile, and when you think you’ve finally got it figured out, you find someone with a profile much more endearing than your own. 

If you’re feeling this way, don’t worry–it’s time to rebuild. 

I have taken the liberty of providing you with the basics of using Tinder, from uploading pictures to sending messages. Note this is coming from the perspective of a girl who uses Tinder to find guys, but these basic recommendations should apply to everyone. These tips will help you create the perfect profile to get the most matches, and turn those matches into meaningful relationships. So without further ado, here are six do’s and don’ts of using Tinder! 

Do include a range of photos that shows who you are. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure you’re choosing those words wisely. Try to create a more “well-rounded” profile that shows yourself from different angles and different pieces of who you are. That could mean including a good picture of yourself, a picture of you doing something you love, a picture of you and your friends, a picture of you trying something new, etc. A profile full of only selfies is repetitive and sends the message that taking pictures of yourself is all you do. If you mix it up with a wide range of pictures, your fellow Tinder users will get to know you better and be more likely to swipe right!

Don’t post only group photos. 

On the topic of the pictures you choose–DO NOT post only pictures of yourself in groups. In my personal opinion, it’s a good idea to add ONE photo of you with a larger group of friends (my profile has a picture of me and my friends at Cedar Point), and one or two photos of you with just one other person. Showing your friends is a good idea, but if all your pictures are you in a group, it’s going to be nearly impossible for other people to decipher which one is actually you, and they’d rather just swipe left and move on than try to play Where’s Waldo with your profile. 

Do keep your bio short and sweet.

When writing your Tinder bio, here’s a good rule of thumb: If it can’t fit in a Tweet, it shouldn’t go on your profile–280 characters or less, people. Save the essays for your English class. Ask yourself, “What do I *most* want others to know about me?” and go from there! You might consider including your major, your interests, or your zodiac sign, if you’re into that sort of thing. If that’s not for you, you could also put your favorite joke or a fun fact about yourself. The idea is to let people know enough about you to get them interested, but still be able to ask questions and get to know you. 

Don’t leave your bio empty. 

On the flip side, make sure you give potential matches something to work with. Leaving your bio empty is about the worst mistake you can make when it comes to Tinder. The whole point of online dating is to find someone you’re compatible with–well, for most of us. So give people something to connect with! Even putting a silly joke in your bio shows a part of your personality, and will make people want to swipe right. Plus, let’s be real–having an empty bio screams “I will love bomb you and then ghost you after the first date.” Or maybe that’s just me. 

Do message first!

Messaging first can be scary, hence why a lot of people won’t do it. Taking initiative and messaging the other person first shows confidence, and more importantly, will actually get a conversation going. The best way to do this is to open with some sort of icebreaker, not just a simple “hi.” A good way to do this is to draw inspiration from their pictures or bio. If they have a tattoo, you can open with, “Cool tattoo! What’s it mean?” Or if their bio mentions their college, you can ask, “What’s your major?” Asking open questions is a great way to get a conversation flowing, and is much more effective than simply saying “hey.”

Don’t be basic.

On Tinder, you have to make the best first impression you can within as little time as possible, which means if you want to get matches, you can’t afford to be basic. Following the rest of the pointers on this list is a good starting point. Just try your best to stand out and showcase how cool you are! Put up pictures of yourself that you love and create a bio that is unique to you, and above all, have fun! What’s the point of online dating if it’s making you anything but happy?

I hope this short little guide helps you on your journey to becoming a Tinder savant. Wishing you the best of luck. Now go have fun, be safe, and swipe away!