How to get more matches on Coffee Meets Bagel (2026 Guide)

While dating apps are everywhere in 2026, many people are tired of the repetitive swiping culture. Coffee Meets Bagel (CMB) offers a refreshing alternative by focusing on intentional connections rather than sheer volume. If you want to move away from mindless scrolling, understanding how to get more matches on coffee meets bagel is the first step toward finding a quality connection.

On most platforms, it’s easy to browse hundreds of profiles without ever feeling a real spark. However, this dating profile experience is designed for depth. To find a serious date, you need to stand out within the app’s unique "suggested bagels" system. To improve your results, you should include at least 2 good pics and add at least one prompt to spark a conversation. Whether your ideal first meeting involves a quick kopi or a weekend bubble tea, these small details in your bio and photos make all the difference.

Because the app limits the number of people you see each day, you have to make every match count. By refining your preferences and learning the best ways to get more matches, you can transform your experience from a numbers game into a path toward a meaningful match. These tips will show you how to choose deal breakers wisely and present your best self through your photo selection and prompts to ensure you find the right person.

The Importance of Increasing Your Matches on Coffee Meets Bagel

Coffee Meets Bagel's promise is that its algorithm delivers quality matches — or at least potential matches — each and every day. But because you only have a few potential matches to work with each day, it's especially important to transform them into a mutual match.

How to get more matches on Coffee Meets Bagel for guys: 10 hacks

Coffee Meets Bagel has some unique features that distinguish it from the "swipe-heavy" culture of other apps, but it is still a platform driven by first impressions. This means that many of the core strategies that work on other popular dating sites are going to work here, too. You certainly don't want to be lazy when creating your dating profile or selecting your primary photos. Putting your best foot forward from the very beginning is the only way to ensure that once you get a match, you have a solid foundation for a real conversation. But how do you actually get those matches in the first place?

In 2026, the competition is higher than ever, and users are looking for authenticity over generic bios. Here are 10 hacks to help you navigate the app and improve your results.

#1: Create the best dating profile possible

The team at Coffee Meets Bagel understands how stressful it can be to start with a blank page, so they provide several tools to get the ball rolling. Some are general, while others allow you to dive deep into your personality. To get more matches, you need to be thorough. If you're unsure how to best present yourself, optimize your dating profile to get more matches with expert guidance. Look through all of the available options and use the ones that are best suited to who you are and what kind of matches you're looking for. A complete profile signals to the algorithm—and potential partners—that you are looking for a serious date and not just a quick distraction. Don't leave sections blank; a sparse bio is often a one-way ticket to being passed over.

#2: Include at least 2 good pics

Your primary profile photo does the heavy lifting, but it cannot stand alone. While some apps allow you to get away with a single image, you should include at least 2 good pics to provide a well-rounded view of your life. Dating experts suggest using a high-quality portrait as your main photo. This should be a clear image of your face with good lighting and a hint of your personal style.

Crucially, you must avoid using stiff passport photos. A passport-style photo often looks too formal, cold, or even a bit like a mugshot. Instead, choose photos that show you in a natural environment. Your additional pics should showcase your hobbies or social life, giving the other person a glimpse into what a date with you might actually look like.

#3: Add at least one prompt

One of the most effective ways to increase your engagement is to add at least one prompt to your profile. Prompts act as a bridge between a simple like and a meaningful conversation. On Coffee Meets Bagel, these prompts are essential because they give the other person something specific to respond to. Instead of a generic "hey," a well-chosen prompt allows a potential match to ask you a question or share a similar interest. Whether it’s about your favorite travel memory or your go-to weekend activity, a prompt makes it significantly easier for someone to reach out to you first.

#4: Build cultural relatability with kopi or bubble tea

In the world of modern dating, being specific is much better than being generic. Mentioning local favorites or specific cultural touchpoints can instantly make you more relatable and approachable. For example, mentioning your favorite spot for kopi or your specific bubble tea order can be a fantastic conversation starter. It shows that you are grounded in your local culture and have specific tastes. These small details act as "social proof" and give your profile a sense of place and personality that a generic bio lacks. If someone else also has a strong opinion on the best bubble tea in town, you’ve already found your first topic of conversation.

#5: Send a message with your like

One of the greatest advantages of using the Coffee Meets Bagel app is the ability to send a message along with your initial like. This is a feature you should be using every single time. Even though you've already put in the work to create an awesome profile, a personalized note increases your chances of a mutual match significantly. It shows effort and immediate interest. Don't just rely on your photos to do the work; use that extra space to comment on something specific in their bio or one of their photos to stand out from the crowd.

#6: Optimize your first message

If you are taking the advice to send a message with your like, you need to make sure that message counts. This is not the time for a lazy one-word opener. If you want to get more matches on coffee meets bagel, your first interaction needs to be engaging. Take a moment to look at their profile and find a commonality. Use ice-breaker suggestions or ask an open-ended question about their interests. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for them to reply. A thoughtful first message is often the difference between a new connection and a missed opportunity.

#7: Take advantage of icebreakers

Beyond the standard profile prompts, Coffee Meets Bagel asks you to enter a few icebreakers. These are essentially fun facts about yourself that the app can use to help spark a conversation once a match occurs. You should never skip these. While they might not be the first thing someone sees on your profile, they are vital for keeping the momentum going once the chat starts. They provide "fuel" for the conversation, ensuring that neither of you runs out of things to say after the initial introductions.

#8: Know your niche and choose deal breakers

It is a common mistake to try and appeal to everyone. When you try to be everything to everyone, you end up appearing bland and forgettable. Don't be afraid to share your specific hobbies, even if they are a bit "niche." Your unique interests will excite the right people—the ones you’ll actually get along with. Additionally, make sure you choose deal breakers accurately in your settings. This helps the algorithm filter your daily "bagels" so you are only seeing people who align with your lifestyle and values. This focus increases the quality of your matches, making a successful date much more likely.

#9: Spend your free beans wisely

When you sign up for your account, you are given a certain amount of "beans," which are the in-app currency for Coffee Meets Bagel. There are several ways to earn more free beans, such as logging in daily or completing specific tasks. Even if you aren't planning on buying more, you should treat these freebies like a strategic resource. Use them when you see a profile that truly resonates with you, or save them for a day when you want to see a few extra potential matches. Don't let them sit idle; use them to give your profile the extra visibility it needs.

#10: Use beans for bonus bagels and reactivations

While the free version of the app is great, using beans for extra features can significantly speed up your progress. If the daily selection of bagels isn't quite what you're looking for, you can spend beans to view bonus bagels in your queue. Furthermore, Coffee Meets Bagel has a strict expiration policy for conversations to encourage people to actually meet up. However, life in 2026 is busy, and sometimes a chat expires before you can exchange numbers. If a conversation was going well, it is worth the investment of beans to reactivate the match and keep the connection alive. It’s often cheaper and more effective than trying to find a brand-new match from scratch.

How to get better matches on Coffee Meets Bagel for girls: 7 tips

The balance of power on coffee meets bagel can be a little hard to figure out at first. In 2026, the app continues to prioritize quality over quantity. Men usually receive more bagels per day than women, but women are typically shown people who have already liked their profile in the He Likes You section. While this is a massive time saver, it means your visibility is the most important factor in how to get more matches on coffee meets bagel. Here are our 7 best tips for women to optimize their experience.

#1: Curate your profile for your ideal match

Because the app primarily shows you people who have already expressed interest, you aren't really window shopping in the traditional sense. This makes your dating profile a magnet rather than a search tool. Every element of your profile needs to act as a signal to the specific kind of person you want to attract. If you find yourself swiping through likes that don't fit your vibe, it is time to tweak your presentation, or even better, find out why you don't get matches with a personalized profile analysis. Focus on showing your genuine self so that the people landing in your daily batch are actually your type.

#2: Use filters to choose deal breakers

If you are looking for a serious date, you need to be intentional with your settings. The algorithm thrives on specific data, so do not be afraid to choose deal breakers that align with your long-term goals. Whether it is lifestyle choices, family goals, or distance, setting these boundaries helps the app narrow down your daily bagels to high-quality options. This prevents your feed from being cluttered with people who aren't a good fit, making it much easier to get more matches that actually lead to a real-world connection.

#3: Be socially aware in your bio

In 2026, users are looking for more than just a list of hobbies. A great way to stand out is to ensure your bio reflects that you are socially aware and engaged with the world around you. This doesn't mean you need to be overly political, but showing that you have a perspective on current culture or community values can be a huge green flag for someone looking for a deep connection. Use your bio to explain not just what you do, but why you do it. This depth helps turn a simple like into a meaningful match.

#4: Optimize your photo selection

The way you use photos has a massive impact on your success rate. A key fact to remember is that profiles that include at least 2 good pics—and ideally closer to five or six—see significantly higher match rates than those with just one. While a high-quality photo of your face is essential, your other pics should tell a story.

Instead of just standard selfies, show yourself in action. Maybe you are grabbing a kopi at a local shop or enjoying a bubble tea with friends. These types of candid photos make you feel more approachable and real. Avoid overly filtered pics that hide your features; users today value authenticity and want to see the real you before the first date.

#5: Add at least one prompt to spark conversation

A common mistake is leaving the text sections of your profile blank. To maximize your results, you should always add at least one prompt that is easy to respond to. Prompts act as "hooks" that give the other person a reason to send a message along with their like.

When you make it easy for someone to start a conversation, you increase the likelihood of a high-quality match. Talk about your favorite weekend rituals or a recent travel memory. By providing these conversation seeds, you take the pressure off the other person and set the stage for a better interaction from the very first message.

#6: Showcase your ambitions and self-esteem

Don't feel the need to "play small" on your profile. Highlighting your professional accomplishments, passions, and personal ambitions is a great way to filter for partners who will support and respect you. When you lead with confidence, you attract people who are looking for an equal partner rather than just a casual fling. Mentioning your career goals or a project you are proud of helps ensure you find a match who appreciates your drive, which is essential for anyone seeking a serious date.

#7: Consider the benefits of a premium subscription

While you can certainly get more matches on the free version of the app, there is no denying that a Bagel subscription makes the process more efficient. Premium features often allow you to see more data about your matches, send extra likes, and use more advanced filters when you choose deal breakers. If you have been using coffee meets bagel for a while and want to speed up your results, trying out the premium tools for a month or two can provide a significant boost to your visibility and overall experience.

Coffee meets bagel remains one of the best platforms for those who are tired of the endless swiping found on other apps. By following these tips and keeping your profile updated and engaging, you can move past the digital noise and find the meaningful connection you are looking for in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many matches per day on Coffee Meets Bagel?

Coffee Meets Bagel sends men up to 21 curated bagels daily at noon, while women generally receive 6 bagels who have already expressed interest. This curated approach is designed for those seeking a serious date rather than endless swiping. You must act within 24 hours to like or pass on these suggestions before your queue refreshes and new possibilities arrive.

Can you get matches on Coffee Meets Bagel without paying?

Users can get matches on Coffee Meets Bagel for free by engaging with their daily suggested bagels and matching with people who have already liked them. While you can purchase beans to access extra features or see more profiles in the Discover section, payment is not required to find a match. This makes it easy to save your money for a first date over bubble tea or kopi instead of spending it on an app subscription.

How to increase matches on dating apps?

You can increase matches on dating apps by consistently optimizing your dating profile through A/B testing and photo rotation. To see better results, you should include at least 2 good pics that show your face clearly and add at least one prompt that reveals your personality. These tips help you stand out; try swapping out one photo at a time to see which specific photos lead to more engagement. Refining your bio and testing different responses to prompts can significantly change your success rate over time.

How do I get matches on Coffee Meets Bagel?

You get matches on Coffee Meets Bagel when two people mutually like each other's profiles, which then triggers a private chat room. When you like a bagel, your profile is placed in their queue; if they reciprocate, it becomes a match. To improve your odds and learn how to get more matches on coffee meets bagel, make sure you choose deal breakers carefully so the algorithm understands exactly who you are looking for in a partner.

Conclusion

Mastering how to get more matches on coffee meets bagel in 2026 comes down to intentionality and a polished presentation. To truly stand out, ensure your dating profile highlights your authentic self. This starts with your photos; you must include at least 2 good pics, though a full gallery of diverse pics is always better. Don't ignore the text sections either. A well-written bio that mentions your love for a weekend kopi or a specific bubble tea spot makes you much more approachable.

To further optimize your profile, you should add at least one prompt to spark easy conversations with a potential match. When you choose deal breakers, be specific enough to filter for a serious date while remaining open to new experiences. By applying these tips, you’ll see an increase in quality matches and spend less time swiping. Now that you know how to get more matches, take a moment to refresh your photo selection and get ready for your next meaningful date.