Dating apps can be both a gift and a curse as they make meeting new people more convenient, but they also have limitations that can make them more difficult for certain people. First impressions play a major role on these apps, and if you’re not used to dealing with rejection, they might be a bit tough for you. With that being said, appearance is not everything on dating sites and there are many things that you can do to increase your chances of finding someone with whom you genuinely click.
Let’s take a look at a few tips for success when using dating apps.
Choose Your Dating Sites Wisely
The first thing you have to do is identify your goals and find a dating site that matches them. You have to know who the site caters to and who it’s targeted towards. Some sites target people from certain ethnic groups, religions, or education levels. If any of these things are important to you, you’ll naturally have more success using sites that cater to these specific groups.
You also have sites that target younger or older audiences. Sites that cater to younger users tend to be more fling-oriented, but that’s not always the case. And, if you are older and aren’t looking for something serious, know that there are sites that cater to mature audiences that will accommodate you.
You also have sites that have a little bit of everything. Sites like Plenty of Fish are a great example. This site caters to all demographics and has one of the largest user bases out of all dating sites. Not only does it have a quick swipe matching system, but also a relationship needs assessment feature for those looking for something more serious.
If you want to learn more about Plenty of Fish, check this out. You’ll learn everything you need to know about how the site works and who it’s best suited for. It explains some of the site’s features more in detail, what the signup process is like, and how much you’ll have to pay to access some of the site’s premium features.
Be as Truthful as Possible
There’s no point in trying to hide some of the insecurities you may have by lying. People will find out who you truly are anyway, so it’s better to put everything out there. You may not believe it now, but some people will accept your flaws or any hang-ups you have about your height, appearance, or age. Be yourself and attract people who are on the same wavelength as you.
Keep Your Profile Short and Sweet
If you are wondering whether a long profile description or a shorter one would be better, it’s always better to go for a shorter one. Most people don’t want or have the time to read dissertations when they’re browsing through profiles. Try to include two or three things about you, no more than two things about what you’re looking for in a mate and one thing you’d like to do or discover with them.
Choose Your Profile Pictures Wisely
Next, you will need to pick pictures for your profile. This part gets a little tricky as good profile pictures will mean something different to a man than it does to a woman.
For example, it has been found that smiling slightly without showing the teeth is seen as more attractive for men while a wide smile was better for women. Even the way you look at the camera will garner a different response depending on your gender. If you’re a woman, looking away at the camera is said to get better results while looking straight at the camera works better for men.
Another thing you have to do is convey part of your personality. It’s okay to have one or two pictures purely for eye candy, but it’s the images where you’re performing some sort of activity that will score the most points.
If you’re the active type, make sure that you have a few pictures of yourself in action. According to data from Hinge, these are the ones that get the best results out of all picture types. So, pick a few high-quality photos and put them right after your main profile pictures so people can get to them fast.
Also, don’t use selfies for your pictures. Bathroom selfies are the absolute worst, but don’t assume outside selfies are much better. Selfies are bad because they’re awkward and you’ll only have a limited number of poses to choose from. Just call one of your friends who has photography skills and take some profile pictures on a nice day.
You should mostly pick pictures where you’re alone. You could put a picture where you’re having fun with your friends, but these could put you in trouble. You have to be the main center of attention. You also shouldn’t be posing with someone who looks like a potential ex-partner as it will be an instant turnoff to most.
Lastly, make sure that you post enough pictures so they can get a good idea of who you are. Four should be the bare minimum, but, if you can add more, go for it. The more quality pictures you have, the better.
Go Out There and Shoot Your Shot
The next step is to go out there and get active. Online dating is very much a number’s game, so don’t be too picky. Don’t wait for that perfect match to swipe right and be open to accepting requests from people who might not exactly be your type. You might be surprised at how many people end up in long-term meaningful relationships with people they either didn’t care for or downright hated at first. So, be open, and give some of the slightly off matches a try.
Finding love on dating sites is possible and thousands of people around the world have been able to find a partner thanks to them. It’s up to you to put your best foot forward and put the work in until you find that special someone.