How to Make Your Dating Profile Irresistible
You probably didn’t know you were doing this wrong. (Photo: Zoltan Tombor)
Online dating has become a necessary evil of modern-day romance. But we’re sure that if you talk to just about any of your single-and-looking friends, you’ve heard comments like “They look kinda cute, but the photos make it hard to tell for sure.” There’s also similar angst around what photos to post on their own profiles. We reached out to the experts at Match and OkCupid to find out exactly what kind of photos get the most attention because, let’s be honest, it’s really mostly about the photos at first. Think of these tips like Cliff’s Notes for your online dating life, and cheers to getting the best dates possible in 2016.
Be the STAR of your profile photos
According to OkCupid, photos that show you with friends creates confusion. Time is limited for that first impression and asking the viewer to figure out who’s who is too much work for most users. “If the other person (in the photos) is MORE attractive, the viewer will want to be messaging them instead. If the other person is LESS attractive, the viewer will be worried that is the person whose profile they are reading.” “Possible dating partners don’t care about your children, grandchildren, past boyfriend, or whether or not you’re in a bar drinking with your friends,” explains Dr. Helen Fisher who is Match’ Chief Scientific Advisor & Biological Anthropologist. “All of that can build a story that is unpredictable. You don’t know how a potential mate may feel about drinking, having children, or being very social. Don’t complicate things.”
Smile…but not TOO much
“Not smiling is okay (for women),” tells OkCupid. In fact, the site has found that smiling photos of women actually underperform against serious-faced photos. On the other side of the equation, photos where someone looks very intense (or borderline menacing) perform the absolute worst. “A woman smiling in her picture doesn’t make a difference to a man because of our primate history,” explains Fisher. “Primate males didn’t feel as vulnerable towards women; therefore, a simple appeasing gesture (like smiling) doesn’t make as much of a difference to the male brain.”
Selfie stick away, but not in your bathroom
“45% of top-rated heterosexual women use selfie photos,” reveals OkCupid. However, selfies that are clearly taken in the bathroom (and show bathroom items like shampoo, etc.) do NOT perform well. Basically, be strategic about your selfie backgrounds…sound good?
Show how fun/adventurous/cool you are in at least ONE photo
“This gives the viewer a good conversation starter AND the viewer can also tell more about your personality,” explains OkCupid. “Overall, surfing and yoga are both very desired activities.” So if you don’t live by the beach, we suggest putting on your cutest yoga gear and get someone to snap you in your best warrior or downward dog. Match data indicates that openness to new experiences results in the highest contact rates, while being extroverted comes in second. There’s also a benefit in showing potential dates that you’re not afraid to get down and dirty in the outdoors. “People are drawn to outside elements like flowers and greenery because the brain was built in an environment of living and existing outside,” explains Fisher. “For evolutionary reasons, the brain is subconsciously attracted to the outdoors.”
Avoid the flash!
This was news to us but according to OkCupid data, photos that contain a flash adds seven years to your perceived age. Turn back the clock with an outdoors picture.
Show your entire self
According to Fisher, men like to see a full-body photo, but not with skimpy clothing. So avoid cropped pictures, put away the bandage dresses, and go with a full-length photo by yourself doing what you love, taken outdoors, and hope for the best.
Related:
Are Men Actually Intimidated by Powerful Women?
