How to maximise your Tinder matches

It works for Bumble and Happn as well

| UPDATED

We all remember, a few years ago, when Tinder first arrived on the scene and it was a big old sex fest of casual hook-ups, dirty messaging, and potential STIs. Now we’ve all grown up a little bit, and it’s actually a legitimate way to meet bae. Whether you just want to get laid or you’re looking for the love of your life, Tinder could be the solution.

The problem, however, is that getting a match isn’t always as easy at it seems. Your friends tell you you’re really hot, but that perfect match never comes around. It’s probably not that you’re vile, you’re just not selling yourself right.

To help you out,  we have come up with some simple steps to perfect your Tinder profile and bag the hottie you’ve been making eyes at in your seminar.

Pictures

Love at first sight is possible, wow the future love of your life by choosing the right first photo. Who do you want to attract? If you’re seeking a hot under the collar player for a quickie in the library toilets, by all means show a bit of skin. If you want that special someone, why not trade that “I have Daddy issues” photo for a pic that shows your beautiful smile?

We all look for an exciting guy or girl, so search through your phone for any photos that make you seem more interesting than you really are. Maybe you have an inter-rail picture where you look all adventurous and cool, or a snapshot of you riding a horse, bottom line think outside the box.

A key thing here is to never, ever, under any circumstances have a group picture as your first photo. No one wants to be trying to work out which one is you, and it only looks like you’re trying to hide something. It’s not unheard of for people to swipe based on the least attractive person.

The next few pictures are key.

Here, you need to show more about your personality. Give off the impression that you’re someone who they’d want to hang out with. More interesting than them, cooler, funnier.

You don’t want to seem like a lonely loser even if that’s what you are, so include at least one photo with your friends.

Ideally, steer away from drunken Klute photos, or any pics where you’re asleep, drunk, or holding a child. No one wants to see you in a terrible way.

Forget this ‘if they can’t hand be at my worst, they don’t accept me at my best’ crap. This is war, you need to sell yourself at your best.

Baby photos are a big no no. Firstly, potential matches will have to ask whether baby is actually yours, which could be a little much for someone looking for love on Tinder. Secondly, even if it isn’t yours, it means you’re thinking about babies, and thinking about babies is bloody terrifying.

Definitely show off your body a little bit: you earned it, you flaunt it.  But stay away from mirror selfies, you don’t want to seem as desperate as a prepubescent school-boy.

They also look really vain: who spends time taking pictures of themselves in the mirror anymore?

Instead, opt for holiday pics, or sports pictures. Anything where you have REASON to be showing off your hard earned abs/bum/boobs.

 

And boys: please don’t pose in front of your car (or any car at all), we know what a car looks like, and there is nothing sexy about a guy sitting on the bonnet of a Fiat Punto.

Bio

Take the time to write a good bio, if you don’t have one people will assume you’re seeking a one-night stand. Be thorough with your grammar and don’t give away too much about yourself. There is a fine line between wit and weirdness, show that you know what’s hot and what’s not.

Mention something quirky about yourself, you’re trying to sell your personality so turn on the charm.

Think about what you love, and what you want people to love about you.

Bios are also great conversation starters. Think of something about you that is unique someone may also share. Love of particular foods, drinks, a way of life, or even a band are all good areas.

General Tinder Behaviour

Don’t be too picky, swiping right does not mean you’ll get married straight away. Give people a chance, maybe the bodybuilder with the pretencious gym-pics is an aspiring romantic poet? Or even the girl with the cat as her first picture is actually a really normal fun girl…okay maybe not?

Wait a few days before messaging your matches, extreme eagerness is rarely a turn on. You don’t want to seem like getting a tinder match is the best thing that’s ever happened to you, so keep exclamation marks and smileys to a minimum.

Last but not least, have some respect for your matches, they didn’t get tinder to be harassed.

Don’t take no shit

Timing is also key, a 2 a.m. match doesn’t always give off the right impression, while swiping during the day isn’t always a good sign either.

Think early evening until about 11 p.m. as prime time for Tinder match-making.

Remember, while you may find a wifey or hubby on Tinder, don’t forget the real world. You don’t want to miss the stunner eyeing you up in the coffee shop because you were finding the right emoji to send to Sharron, 23, 7 miles away.