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10 Easy Ways to Actually Get More Matches on Tinder

Photo credit: John Francis - Getty Images
Photo credit: John Francis - Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Listen, we all know how exhausting dating apps can be. It damn near breaks your thumb sitting at home and swiping on a Saturday night. But what if I were to tell you that there’s an actual art to perfecting your Tinder profile and getting all the Swipe Rights? In a sea of pretty much unlimited amount of options on the app, don't forget that it’s definitely a quality over quantity thing.

So if you’re struggling to get a match or just want to get better suitors sliding into your messages, here are 10 easy tips and tricks for nailing your Tinder game:

1. Remember that dudes don’t take the best pictures.

Don’t be hard on men’s photos. Some of the “models” that have popped up in my queue tend to show up short, or even worse: eight years older than when their last six-pack picture was taken. And honestly, the dudes I have been “meh” about normally are sexy AF in person (seriously, try it). So don't be afraid to take a risk on a guy or girl who you may not always go for—the pay off could be huge.

2. Try out Tinder Premium.

Okay, sooo I dated a bunch of boys in Charleston using the Tinder Premium Passport feature, which allows users to swipe in locations all over the country, and it changed my life. Planning a weekend vacay? Use Tinder Passport to link up with some cuties while you’re there. It’s such a fun, easy way to see the city. And sometimes users could be more excited to hang out with you if they know you're visiting and just looking for a good time.

The Tinder Gold app also allows you to see who has already Swiped Right on you, so if you’re bored and really don’t feel like swiping, just take your pick from your gold-member status.

3. Make the first move.

I’m not the kind of woman who is going to walk up to a dude at a bar, but I *am* going to send a snarky (but cute) message to someone who strikes my eye. You should too! The lovely part about the internet is that the worst thing that happens is that they don’t respond. Big deal? The risk is worth it in these cases, and sometimes you gotta make the first move to get what you want, girl.

If you include in your bio that you love making the first move, this may make shy suitors more likely to Swipe Right.

4. Lead with a bright color.

According to Tinder's own stats, 72 percent of users wear a neutral color (such as black, navy, beige, or white) in their first photo. Even if you're a summer goth whose closet is organized by black-black, bluish-black, and charcoal, dig up that one red dress you bought a while back, or find a photo of you against a background that pops.

"Our eyes begin to glaze over when they're overly-exposed to the same kind of stimuli," says relationship expert, Dr. Darcy Sterling. "It's just about catching somebody's attention. We know that people are inundated with options, so the important aspect here is to just do something unique.

5. Look right into the camera (but not like a serial killer).

Tinder says that people who "face forward" in photos are 20 percent more likely to be swiped right on, but that doesn't mean you have to full-on stare down the camera. It just means that it's better to make "eye contact" with the viewer over choosing an artsy photo where you only show your profile.

"We want to know that you're willing to be vulnerable, and show your face," says Dr. Darcy. "When we go to meet up with you, we want to be able to recognize you. If we can't see your face, that really increases the likelihood of a terribly awkward moment."

6. Don't cover yourself up.

Similar to looking away from the camera, wearing sunglasses or a hat can reduce your swipe rate by 15 and 12 percent (respectively), according to Tinder.

"It doesn't bode well for a willingness to lean into vulnerability," says Dr. Darcy. She explains that while people won't actively assume you're hiding something, they subconsciously might swipe left because they don't know what you look like for sure.

7. Skip the sultry gaze and smile instead.

While it can feel instinctive to go for a sexy pout over a toothy grin on a dating app, Tinder reports that smiling ups your chances of a match by 14 percent. "Nobody wants to be rejected, and somebody who smiles looks more approachable," says Dr. Darcy. "They look more comfortable in their own skin; they look more welcoming."

8. Show off more than just your bomb selfies.

A whopping 81 percent of users have at least four pics of themselves, which means that if you don't, you're already putting yourself at a disadvantage by not having more photos. But beyond that, it's also important to make sure they're not just four different selfies.

"People want to know what to expect of you," says Dr. Darcy. "It's about taking a risk and really showing people the best version of what they're going to get when they meet you." She suggests posting a selfie, a full-body shot, and then a few photos of you doing activities you love.

9. Open with a GIF.

Once you actually match, you still have the task of standing out from all the skull-numbingly boring "Hi" and "How was your weekend" openers. Weirdly, sending a GIF right off the bat is 30 percent more likely to get you a reply, which is... I guess not that surprising after all?

"The person sending the GIF is taking a risk–they're relying on an implied understanding of the meaning without really knowing who the other person is," says Dr. Darcy. But you can minimize the risk by basing your GIF choice off of their profile. For example, if they love Game of Thrones, send them a funny quote from the show.

10. Actually spend time on your bio (and your messages).

This wasn't included in Tinder stats because you can't measure what everyone will love in a bio, but the key thing is that you took time to make it your own. According to Dr. Darcy, that means avoiding typos or vague, cliché lines such as "looking for my partner in crime to go on adventures with!"

This also applies to when you actually talk to your matches, says Darcy. No one wants to feel like they're being fed the exact same pickup line as everyone else, even if you're only looking to hook up. If you wouldn't come up to five people in a bar and ask "WYD?", don't do it on Tinder either! Spend two minutes on their profile, find a tailored question to ask them, and BOOM, you're good.

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