Love can be hard, and dating apps are supposed to be the antidote. But, what if the matches aren’t meeting your standards? What if you aren’t getting matches to begin with?
Data could be what you’re missing in the equation. The intersection between human Psychology and algorithms can paint a clearer picture of what’s working on the apps. Here are 7 data-driven tips for better matches.
1. Don’t Swipe Right on Everyone
Whether it’s a dating app or hook up site, here’s a common misconception. People think the more they swipe, the better their chances of meeting someone. When users swipe too much, or on every account, this is an indicator that your account could be a scammer or troll. With the high-risk flag, your account will see less visibility as a way to protect the rest of the community.
2. Regularly Update Profile
Regular profile refreshes can keep things moving and filter in new matches. A simple bio change or a new photo can signal to the algorithm that you’re still interested in finding your match. You don’t need to update your profile every week, but aim to do it at least once a month.
3. Leverage Peak Swipe Times
Dating apps don’t just look at profile information. They also look at behavioral data when it comes to dating. Your daily login time is an example of behavioral data.
So, how can we make the most out of this? The highest activity on dating apps occurs between 6 to 10 P.M..
Sundays and Mondays see the highest activity, while Fridays and Saturdays typically fall more flat. Sundays and Mondays are when people have more time to spend swiping, while Fridays and Saturdays are typically reserved for friends and family.
Swiping during peak hours and peak days offers two main benefits:
- When you’re online, apps will prioritize your account over those that are offline. Dating apps will serve your profile to more people in that same timespan.
- You’ll see more accounts. Swiping at peak hour means seeing new accounts that you likely wouldn’t have seen before.
4. Leverage Color Psychology
Some colors make you pop, while others tend to wash you out. Reds, blues, and greens are considered flattering. Black, white, and other neutral tones are designed to create a sense of universal safety, though they can sometimes be boring.
Colors can also mean different things:
- Red is reserved for passion, energy, and flirtation.
- Blue is seen as trustworthy and intelligent.
- Green projects a feeling of calmness and peace.
5. Optimize For Photos That Work for You
Are you satisfied with your number of matches? More importantly, are you matching with people who align with your dating goals? It’s not always about the number of people you match with. You also need to think about vibe, chemistry, and who your ideal match is.
Use photos that match this criteria, and rotate photos every month or so. That way, in a few months, you’ll have a more optimized profile based on your data and profile.
6. Log in Frequently
Dating apps love active users. If you log in regularly, that signals to the algorithm that you’re engaged. This pushes dating apps and hook up sites to prioritize your profile instead of burying it like other inactive users.
What if you’re busy that day? Luckily, 5 minutes is all you need. During this time, swipe a few times, respond to messages, or update your profile. One way to build a login streak is to set aside the same time every day to log in.
7. A Smile Goes a Long Way
There’s a real benefit to smiling, and that’s thanks to our human instincts. Research shows that photos with smiling faces do better on dating apps because they reduce uncertainty while building trust and increasing perceived competence. It’s simple, but it works.
Practical Actions to Improve Swipe Success Today
How can you take what you read and apply it to your dating profile? Here’s an actionable list of steps to summarize this post and get you started:
- Upload a variety of photos
- Consider taking new photos
- Swap out your photos once a month
- Log in once a day for at least 5 to 10 minutes
- Try to swipe between 6 and 10 PM, and on Sundays and Mondays
- Be more selective about who you swipe right on
Take a Few Minutes to Optimize Your Profile
Data can guide your dating app experience, but the real journey is getting started. You now have the tips and an actionable list of steps to see more matches.
You can’t optimize your account overnight, but each optimization means an extra handful of matches a day. Get started, and we’re excited to see how many more matches you’ll get.
