Hinge profile tips

A picture is worth a thousand words and when it comes to online dating, that's especially true. You can't just go around posting pictures at random, you need to put thought into each of the pictures you share online — especially the one you set as your first photo — if you want to catch the eye of the best potential matches.

What makes for good online dating photos? Read on as we break it down for you.

Use good photos

Okay, this one should be obvious — but a quick scroll through any dating app will show that common sense isn't common.

Your photos are pulling a lot of weight when it comes to making your Hinge profile stand out, so don't blow it by using a low-quality photo.

Good photos are clear, crisp, cropped well, feature good lighting, and actually show what you look like.

We all know art is subjective, and you’re a work of art. Your best friend’s favorite picture of you might not be yours. That’s why you should get your pictures analyzed with AI. ROAST has an AI that’s been fed tens of thousands of successful profile pictures, and it’ll rate yours alongside those. It’s the closest thing to objectivity that you’ll find. Try ROAST today.

We're going to keep breaking down the elements of what makes a good photo but remember — all the photo tips in the world won't help if your picture is too blurry to see your great smile.

Make eye contact

Eye contact is key, especially for your first photo! Numerous studies have shown that people seem more trustworthy when you can see their eyes. So make sure to ditch the sunglasses, or the hat that's casting a shadow across your face, and look into the camera!

Avoid group photos (at least at first)

We know, we know. You and your friends know how to have a good time. And it's tempting to lure a date by showing they could be having that much fun with you, too.

But group photos come with a lot of potential downsides. For starters, it often isn't clear who you are in the photo (or if you're there at all) which makes it pretty useless for a dating app profile.

First and foremost, people are trying to figure out what you're all about. And if you're lost in a crowd, your potential matches can't do that.

So only use a group shot after you've posted several solo shots, and even then only if the group pic really adds something to your overall dating profile.

Consider your body language

If a photo looks posed or awkward, it's going to send the wrong message. Don't use a shot where you're hunched over, look uncomfortable, or simply look unfriendly.

Things like crossed arms can make you look angry or unapproachable — the opposite of what you want from an online dating profile.

Instead, try to find a way to look natural, comfortable, and confident. You'll probably need to take several shots before getting a winner and that's okay. Perfection takes time.

The more the merrier?

Online dating comes down to quality over quantity — in more ways than one. And it's certainly true when it comes to your pictures. While it can be tempting to simply keep adding more photos until you've emptied your whole camera roll, remember that your profile is only as strong as its weakest element.

That means you're better off having just a few great photos than making her sort through every picture you've ever taken to get a sense of who you are.

If you want more advice where that came from, there are dating geniuses who can bring out your A-game on Hinge. ROAST is a service that’ll use tried and tested techniques to make your profile shine, netting you more likes, more matches, and more dates through Hinge. Try ROAST today.

One of the big advantages Hinge has over other dating apps is its use of prompts to help you craft your profile.

Rather than starting with a blank page and trying to figure out what to say, the best Hinge answers help pull your profile together the easy way.

Choose the right prompts

Hinge has lots of prompts to choose from, so don't just go with the first ones offered to you. Instead, scroll through your options to find the prompts that will work best for your personality and the kind of dates you're looking for.

Aim for a mix of funny and serious prompts so that you can show a wide range, and so you can show off some of your creativity while you're answering.

Remember that these prompts make up the bulk of your profile so don't let any of them waste your space. And don't hesitate to change out your Hinge prompts whenever you feel like trying something new.

Include conversation starters

Your profile needs to include enough information to start a conversation, or else a match will be stumped when it's time to send a message.

Keep this in mind as you're choosing your prompts and writing your answers — what content are you including that would be easy to comment on or ask a question about?

You want to share things that are personal to you, while also being universal enough for someone else to connect with, and the best Hinge profiles find the way to walk this line with perfect balance.

Be unique

We know you're an interesting person, but you need to make sure that comes through on your Hinge account.

Avoid the same generic answers that everyone gives and share enough of your personality to really stand out. If you blend into the crowd you don't have much of a chance of getting matches, let alone dates.

Think about what your most interesting features are, and then as you're choosing prompts, look for ways to show off those features.

Some of us suffer from being too self-aware — and it can actually come off as self-deprecating. What you need is someone neutral who can tell you when it’s working and when it’s not. ROAST is a service that advises you on the best dating practices, helping you craft your profile and think up great first lines. They’ll stop you from losing confidence and aid you in bringing out the badass you really are. Try ROAST today.

Yes. Voice note can be a pure cheat code, if you know what to say, and mostly HOW to say it.

Most of what we communicate is non-verbal. Therefore, hearing someone's voice is super important. It quickly establishes a bond words can't reach.

However, make sure not to fall in common traps:

• Be relaxed. We do not want to hear you stressed. We don't want to hear you giggle nervously too. Breath.
• Prepare something you want to say in advance. It may be a joke, or a nice story. But take some time.

If you follow those tips, you will get a nice boost to your profile.

Ever recorded your voice into a microphone and felt incredibly unnatural? It’s not the same as being in the zone while out with friends, is it? You need a hype man, like one of the dating experts at ROAST. ROAST is a service that vets your Hinge profile and optimizes it to get the most likes and matches. They’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t sound as badass as you think you do — and then they’ll get you sounding more badass than you ever thought possible.

How to know if your prompt was impactful? People will tell you about it on your profile!