More Than 5 Tinder Tips to up Your Game and Get That Match (2024)

You can't chat with someone on Tinder if mutual interest hasn't been expressed. This added layer of protection is one reason Tinder is popular compared to other dating apps, as users only hear from those they've expressed an interest in.

Make Your First Photo All You

That photo with your three best friends taken at last year's Christmas party may be a great photo of you and your buddies, but it may sabotage your Tinder experience if you use it as your primary profile picture.

Tinder users decide if they like someone within seconds of viewing their primary photo. If it isn't clear who the profile belongs to, they may swipe left (that's a 'no') and move to the next person.

You should be the only person in your primary photo. If you want to show off your friends and family, add those photos to your gallery for interested parties to scroll through after you have their attention with your amazing main pic. It's best to exclude pictures of your super-hot best friend. Tinder is about comparing people to each other, and you don't want someone viewing your profile and thinking of someone else.

Tinder also allows users to add short videos to their profiles. You can have up to nine 15-second clips, so take advantage of this feature to show off your personality. Just remember to keep it G-rated.

Don't: Try to be funny or clever by using a photo of a dog, stuffed toy, or sunset. These types of photos make your profile look like a spam/fake account.

Do: Connect Tinder to your Instagram account. This displays several of your Instagram photos on your Tinder profile. It's a great way to show more aspects of your personality.

Double-Check Your Gender Settings

One of the reasons that Tinder is a popular dating tool is because it allows for a customizable experience. Any gender can search for any gender. A common problem is that many users are unaware of the gender and search options and find themselves playing in the wrong ballpark.

One reason for this problem is that a Tinder account's gender is based on the connected Facebook account. Some people either keep this ambiguous or don't fill in their profile completely. A gender is needed for Tinder to function correctly, so make sure your Facebook profile is complete.

To customize who you search for in Tinder, open the search settings from within the app and choose the gender. Checking the male box in the settings means that you'll be searching for men. Checking female will make the app search for women. If you're bisexual, change the setting to browse users of each gender. Even after switching options, you can still communicate with those you've previously matched with.

Don't: Be secretive on Tinder. Most people will swipe left on you in favor of someone who's forthcoming with who they are and what they want.

Do: Take the time to complete your Facebook and Tinder profile settings.

Keep Your Profile a Happy Place

While it can be tempting to vent your frustrations on your profile ("Why can't I match with anyone?What's wrong with this app?"), doing so makes you look angry and unapproachable.

Your Tinder profile should be where you present to the world your best self. Think of it as an opening sentence in an introduction. No one likes the person who dives into a rant the second they meet someone.

Some ideal things to mention on your Tinder profile are your hobbies and your job, what sort of food you like, and what languages you speak. It can also be a good idea to write down what you're looking for on Tinder. Are you searching for casual dating, or do you feel like it's time to settle down? Either is fine, but the more information you share, the less time you'll waste with users who are after different things, and the easier it will be for others to begin a conversation with you.

It's also important to fill out the Passions section of your profile. In the Explore tab, users can filter profiles based on passions, or interests. For instance, if you search for “thrill seekers,” you're likely to see people who enjoy outdoor activities. The more passions you list, the more likely you are to match.

Don't: Quote poetry. It's too intense and can come across as creepy. Also, avoid posting your phone number or physical address.

Do: Use emoji. Your Tinder profile character count is limited, so communicate information with emoji to save space. Are you someone who only dates non-smokers? Use the No Smoking emoji. Love surfing? Use the surfing emoji.

Update When Traveling

Tinder works by matching users with others who are geographically near, which can cause trouble when traveling for leisure or business. For example, if you're on holiday in Hawaii, Tinder shows you other users in Hawaii and not from back home in New York.

This can be fine if you're looking for some casual dating while traveling. However, it could cause frustration with locals looking to date someone long term who lives in their neighborhood. A popular solution to this is to update your profile when you travel with something like, "New Yorker holidaying in Hawaii for two weeks." This makes sure everyone is on the same page and provides interested parties with a great conversation starter. "Do you want someone to show you around?"

Don't: Forget to update your profile if you open the Tinder app during a trip. Avoid mentioning your hotel room number or AirBNB address. Safety first.

Do: List your travel dates and cities on your Tinder profile. This is a common practice for users who travel a lot. It can be an effective way to make contacts before your plane departs.

Got Kids? Own It

Many single parents may feel nervous about telling potential dates about their children because they fear their kids will be seen as extra baggage. Having children can be a positive for those who can't have kids due to their age, medical reasons, or sexuality.

Besides, it's better to be upfront about major life factors like children. Being a parent is an amazing accomplishment that you should be proud of. You could even use it as an interesting conversation starter.

Don't: Hide your parental status. Honesty is the best policy.

Do: Mention your children briefly on your profile. Something like "Mother of two wonderful kids" is all that's needed. Post photos of yourself with your kids, but make sure you include some photos of just yourself. You don't want to give the impression that you don't have room in your life for anyone else.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know!

Tell us why!