Technology

8 Tips to Craft the Perfect Tinder Profile, Based on Scientific Research

April 20, 2016 | Kelly Tatera

Woman using a smartphone

This could determine whether you get a right or left swipe.

Whether you’re new to the online dating game or a Tinder veteran, creating a dating profile can be tricky. How much should you reveal about yourself? Which pictures are most likely to land you a date? Should your personal bio be more on the humorous side or the serious one?

Luckily, researchers Sameer Chaudhry and Khalid Khan decided to explore what exactly leads to attraction online. After reviewing 86 studies that focus on factors in online dating that can lead to a first date, they came up with suggestions for an online dating presence that leads to more matches.

1. It’s not all about you

While you’re online dating profile should be mostly about you, research suggests that you should also be open about what you’re looking for in a partner. According to the researchers, the most successful online dating profiles have a 70:30 ratio — 70 percent describing yourself, and 30 percent describing what you’re looking for.

It can be a brief and straightforward description. Even something simple like “Looking for someone who loves pizza and puppies.” will do. It gives a prospective partner something to identify with.

2. Keep your profile simple

Yes, 70 percent of your dating bio should be about yourself, but that doesn’t mean you need to write an autobiography. The researchers found that using simple language in a profile description makes you more memorable. So choose wisely and highlight the things about yourself that stand out.

SEE ALSO: Tinder Study: Men Feel Entitled to “Use Women as They See Fit” If Date Is Less Attractive in Person

3. Show your humorous side

Showing a sense of humor can increase your likability, according to the researchers, and if you can get potential matches to pause and think about your profile description for a few seconds, you’re more likely to get a match.

If you can get a potential match to laugh, that’s a bonus. Recent sociology research revealed that laughter is one of the most important elements in initiating and developing a relationship.

4. Don’t brag about your GPA or IQ

This one’s pretty straightforward — just don’t do it. Your personality is more important than your academic achievements, according to the researchers.

5. Include a group photo

If you flood your online dating profile with selfies and mirror pictures, you probably won’t come off as the most down-to-earth person in the world. According to the researchers, online daters like seeing group photos that make it look like you’re having a good time with friends.

5. Choose pictures with a “dominant” tone

It’s a plus if you pick a group photograph that has you in the center of it, the researchers say, because this suggests a position of dominance. Another recent 2016 study found that choosing pictures with an “expansive” posture helped study participants get more matches in an online dating app. So picking a profile picture where you’re taking up as much physical space as possible could make you seem more attractive to others.

SEE ALSO: What Draws Women to Bad Boys? Hint: It’s Not the Cool Factor

6. If you’re a woman, wear red

The researchers found that heterosexual men were more likely to message a woman on an online dating app if she was wearing a red outfit or red lipstick. Plenty of studies have shown that the color red gives off a sense of boldness and power, so use it to your advantage.

7. Smile and tilt your head

Include a photo where you’re flashing a genuine smile and slightly tilting your head. The researchers say that these photos were rated more attractive on average.

8. If you’re a man, show off bravery over kindness

Interestingly, the researchers write that “women prefer bravery, courage and a willingness to take risks rather than kindness and altruism in their partners.” So if you’re a male, you may want to consider uploading a photo of yourself doing something courageous like skydiving or surfing rather than a cute picture with your pet dog.

You might also like: Do Opposite Personalities Really Attract?

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