13 Science-Backed Ways for Guys to Get More Right Swipes

A smooth opening line, your air of confidence or some gallant gestures are all things capable of grabbing a woman’s attention — in real life, that is. In the digital dating world, it’s all about your profile. Every single word and photo you use counts when it comes to making a good impression, and various studies have shown that certain profile strategies may inspire more right swipes.

RELATED: What a Genuinely Good Tinder Profile Looks Like

You want to present yourself in the best light possible, all while being your most authentic self. Exaggerating about your job or using a photo from years ago will get you … well, just about nowhere when your match eventually sees the real you.

Need some guidance? Fortunately, there’s a wealth of research on which dating app strategies are most effective. Consider these 13 science-backed tips while perfecting your profile, and watch as the matches come rolling in.

13 Foolproof Ways to Get More Right Swipes on Dating Apps

1. Include a Full-Length Photo

To no surprise, app users want to be able to scope out their potential dates from head to toe.

A 2019 survey conducted by Carphone Warehouse and dating expert James Preece asked 1,000 Brits about their biggest dating app turn-ons. The results? 86 percent of both men and women would like to see a full-length photo.That means even if the rest of your photos are zoomed in from the waist up, make it a point to include just one picture that shows your full physique.

Speaking of photos, make sure you have at least one. A whopping 93 percent of survey respondents said they would straight up ignore someone on an app if their profile was lacking images (for obvious reasons).

2. Skip the Emojis

You may want to think twice about using those emojis, too. Results from that previously mentioned survey had a whopping 80 percent saying they’d consider ‘em to be a turnoff. Wouldn’t you rather use that valuable space to write something that’s actually informative or insightful anyway? Save the emojis for after you’ve landed a match.

3. Flaunt Your Furry Friend

Unsurprisingly, pets can make your profile more that much more attractive. That doesn’t mean you should snap a picture with any random dog just to bait the ladies into swiping right, but if there’s a furry animal out there that has a special place in your heart, feature them on your profile.

According to the Carphone Warehouse survey, 77 percent of people think photos with pets make someone more attractive. Who knew things whiskers could be such phenomenal wingmen?

4. Add a Group Photo (But Not Too Many)

Capture a cool shot with your buddies on a fishing boat or hanging at a summer BBQ? Show it.

Hinge’s 2017 Profile Picture Report found that pictures of dating app users having fun with friends were 74 percent more likely to get a like. That said, going overboard with the group shots will only leave swipers questioning who you really are.

If they’re unclear of who you are amongst the group, that extra effort may leave them swiping to the left instead of giving you a shot.

5. Show Your Active Side

Part of a hockey league? Or maybe you just participated in a Spartan Race? Be sure to include a photo that demonstrates your active lifestyle. Data from Hinge’s 2017 Profile Picture Report showed that photos of users playing a sport or doing something athletic performed 75 percent better than the average, non-athletic photo. How’s that for some fitness inspiration?

Some extra incentive comes from a 2014 WIRED analysis of data from OkCupid and Match.com — surfing, yoga, skiing, hiking, and tennis were among the words and phrases most associated with popular profiles for men.

6. Pose With Your Mama

Next time you’re home for a holiday or some other occasion, you may want to snap a few photos with dear ‘ol mom. According to a 2018 study by The League, dating app users who have at least one photo with their mother experienced a 7 percent higher match rate than those who didn’t have one.

While some may take it as a sign of a momma’s boy, this kind of photo shows that family is important to you. After all, there’s nothing wrong with showing some appreciation for the lady who gave you life.

7. Ditch the Shades

Just as you shouldn’t wear sunglasses indoors, when choosing the best photos for your profile, skip the ones in which you’re wearing glasses. A 2016 study from Tinder revealed that users wearing glasses in a profile picture (both prescription and sunglasses) were 15 percent less likely to get a right swipe.

Shades and spectacles make it more difficult to see someone’s face, and isn’t that what you’re supposed to be showing it off on your profile?

8. Be Forthcoming About Kids

Having children may not be something you want plastered all over your dating profile. But if you’re worried they may scare off some prospective dates, consider this: One in three women who participated in Carphone Warehouse’s survey said they liked to see photos of matches with their children.

Besides, it’s always best to be honest about your situation from the get-go. If someone doesn’t like your kids, there’s no point in wasting your time or effort in getting to know them.

9. Get Candid

An easy way to stand out on a dating app is by having at least one or two candid photos in your profile. Hinge’s 2017 Profile Picture Report found that a whopping 80 percent of users’ profile pictures were posed, but get this: Candid photos were 15 percent more likely to get a like from other users. There’s something about a candid shot that’s inexplicably attractive because it looks more natural, and thus, shows off your true, filterless self.

10. Implement the 70-30 Rule

It’s easy to ramble on and on about yourself in your dating app profile. You’re trying to give potential matches as much information as possible before they make a decision which way to swipe, right? Well, according to Statistic Brain, the most popular online daters used about 70 percent of their profiles to talk about themselves, with the other 30 percent describing what they’re looking for in a prospective partner.

Consider following that formula in your own profile, and always look for opportunities to shed light on your dating intentions and priorities.

11. Don’t Be Afraid of That Four-Letter Word

If you’re looking to lock down something serious, then you might want to sneak “love” into your profile somewhere. Surprisingly, wearing your heart on your sleeve can be to your advantage.

After examining 1.2 million profiles, PlentyofFish discovered that people who used this word in their bios were the most successful at engaging in committed relationships. Men also appeared to benefit from words like “romantic” and “relationship,” too.

12. Highlight Your Travels

Whether from a bachelor weekend in Boston or backpacking around Switzerland, make sure to use a photo from that trip in your profile. A

2017 Hinge study found that travel photos receive 30 percent more likes than the average photo, and research from Match Group found that 74 percent of women want a partner who shares their travel interests. It makes sense, too, given that jet-setting can make a person appear worldly and adventurous.

Fun fact: According to Hinge’s data, for men, a photo in Munich garnered a whopping 210 percent more likes than the average photo, while a photo in Portland, Oregon, racked up 56 percent more likes.

13. Mind Your Grammar

Regardless of whether you’re looking for a casual hookup or a serious relationship, you may want to proofread your dating app bio.

A 2019 study published in the “Journal of Social and Personal Relationships” found that spelling and grammar errors such as writing ‘teh’ instead of ‘the,’ and using upper case letters in the wrong places, could be detrimental to your odds of getting more matches. Researchers believe this may be because such errors suggest laziness and lack of attention to detail.

It doesn’t take long to run your bio through spell check. Considering it could seriously boost your odds, it seems to be well worth the effort.

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