No Likes on Hinge in 2026: Why And How to Fix it

Navigating Hinge in 2026 should be an exciting experience, but it is incredibly frustrating when you are getting no likes on Hinge. Whether you are a newcomer to the dating app or a long-term veteran, seeing no matches on Hinge is a common hurdle. Often, the Hinge algorithm limits your profile visibility based on your photos, prompts, or general account activity. If you are currently struggling with no likes on Hinge, small adjustments to your engagement — like remembering to add a comment — can make the app work much better for you.

In this guide, we explore why your profile is stalling and provide Hinge profile tips to help you connect with more users. To skip the trial and error, try ROAST, an AI that optimizes your profile to ensure you stop seeing no matches on Hinge and start dating.

Is it Hard For Men to Get Likes on Hinge in 2024?

In 2026, getting no likes on hinge is a common struggle for male users. The hinge algorithm now rewards high engagement and consistent activity. If your photos or prompts fail to stand out, you might see no likes on hinge at all because the app stops showing your profile to others. To make the dating app work, every interaction matters. When you send likes, remember to add a comment to a specific photo to trigger a match. If you are frustrated by no matches on hinge, ROAST can help you navigate the hinge algorithm to secure more likes on the app.

Reasons You’re Not Getting Likes on Hinge

If you’re at your wits' end trying to figure out the hinge algorithm and how you can get more likes on the dating app in 2026, don’t give up yet. It is a common frustration, but usually, the lack of activity is tied to a few specific factors that influence how the app prioritizes your visibility. There are many reasons that could be contributing to why you’re not getting many matches on the dating app.

Here are the primary reasons you currently have no likes on Hinge:

1. You haven't passed the algorithm's testing phase

One of the most overlooked aspects of the hinge algorithm is the initial testing phase. When you first create a profile or make significant updates, the app shows your profile to a small, diverse batch of users. This is essentially a trial run to determine your engagement score. The app measures how many people pause on your photos, how many people scroll to the bottom, and how many people actually send a like or add a comment.

If your profile doesn't perform well during this testing phase, the algorithm may throttle your visibility. Essentially, if the first few users swipe left, the app assumes your profile isn't "converting" well and moves you further down the deck. This is why many people experience getting no likes on Hinge; it’s not that people don’t like you, it’s that the app has stopped showing you to them because of a low initial engagement score.

2. Your distance and filter settings are too restrictive

Your settings on your Hinge profile could be getting in the way of you getting more likes on Hinge. On the app, you can choose filters that help you find the most relevant matches in your area. While it is tempting to be extremely specific about height, religion, or exact neighborhood, being too restrictive can drastically shrink your potential pool of users.

If you have a very narrow search radius, you might quickly run through the users who fit your criteria, leading to a "no more matches" screen. You can expand your distance and match preferences to increase the number of profiles you reach. Having a wider reach will give you access to more profiles and can help up your match rate. If you are experiencing no matches on Hinge, try opening your preferences for just 48 hours to see if it resets your visibility.

3. Your profile is filled with low-engagement photos

Are a good percentage of your profile photos selfies? If they are, it’s time to get rid of those bad photos and replace them with better Hinge photos. In 2026, dating app users are looking for authenticity and "lifestyle" imagery rather than staged bathroom selfies. Selfies can give women the wrong impression of you and make you look conceited or like you don’t have a social life.

You only have a few photos to make a good first impression, so ditch the selfies when online dating and try these tips for the right photos:

• Use high-res photos: Upload photos that are high-resolution. Your first photo should be high-quality and should show your face clearly with you making eye contact. The algorithm actually favors clear, high-contrast images because they tend to keep users on the app longer.
• Avoid group photos: Avoid group Hinge photos as your primary image. They are hard to get right and can make you look less attractive if you’re not the most good-looking person in the shot. It also creates a "guessing game" that most users won't bother with.
• Smile: Choose photos where you're smiling. Women are more attracted to photos of men who are smiling as it gives them a confident and inviting look.
• Show your hobbies: Upload photos that show you doing an interesting hobby as these will work as photo prompts and conversation starters. This gives the other person a reason to add a comment rather than just sending a generic like.

4. You’re not using Hinge prompts effectively

Your Hinge bio is the second thing potential matches will look at, after your profile photo. It needs to be interesting and catch the interest of potential matches. If you leave your prompts blank or use one-word answers, you are giving the hinge algorithm very little to work with when it tries to pair you with compatible users.

Stay away from an empty bio and opt for something more fun like Hinge prompts. They work as amazing icebreakers and can help you spark up a conversation that’s fun and engaging. Women will be intrigued if you use interesting prompts, and will want to come up with good prompt answers to message you with.

Here are a few examples of Hinge prompts and prompt answers to use:

• Dating me is like… Finding a pair of jeans that fit perfectly on the first try, and are on sale!
• Fact about me that surprises people: I can parallel park in three moves.
• Green flags I look for… a good relationship with your dog and a love for spontaneous road trips.
• I want someone who… looks at me the way I look at pizza.
• I spend most of my money on… Whatever restaurant Grub Streets recommends.

5. Your Hinge bio is too boring or vague

When potential matches look at your bio, they want to find out more about who you are as a person. If your Hinge bio is boring, vague, or super serious, chances are you’ll steer women away from swiping right on you and continue to have no likes on Hinge. Instead, add some interesting facts about yourself and a funny answer or two to your bio to lighten the mood.

It’s not fun to hear that your profile is too boring or vague. Trust us, it’s not that you are too boring — it’s that you aren’t capable of seeing yourself from a neutral perspective. Nobody is! That’s why you can trust an app like ROAST to improve the look and readability of your profile. They’ll make you look like the best possible version of yourself, right from the start, so there’s no need to be shy. Get your dating profile optimized and start seeing results.

6. You’re being way too picky with your swiping

It’s good to be selective about who you swipe right on to avoid mass swiping, but being too picky can actually hurt your profile circulation. The algorithm tracks your activity and habits. If you swipe "no" on 99% of profiles, the app might categorize you as an inactive or "impossible to please" user.

Have an open mind and swipe right on a Hinge profile that you can see some sort of potential with or that intrigues you. Sometimes, it takes getting to know someone past the first impression to know if they’re a good match when online dating. By engaging more frequently, you signal to the app that you are an active participant, which can boost your visibility in the decks of other users.

7. You ghost your matches and lower your activity score

Once you have a like on Hinge, it’s vital that you respond. The app prioritizes active accounts that foster real-world connections. If you have matches but never message them, or if you message someone and then disappear after they reply, your "reciprocity score" drops.

If you ghost your matches on Hinge, you may be seen as an inactive profile by the app and won’t have a good reach because of it. High activity—meaning regular logins, sending likes with comments, and responding to messages—keeps your profile at the top of the deck.

8. Your dating profile is incomplete

Sometimes, all your Hinge profile needs is an easy fix like filling out blank information to get more matches. Double-check all sections of your profile to ensure everything is filled out, including your "Virtues" and "Vitals." Dating apps and their algorithm will favor you if your profile is complete, as it provides more data points for the app to work with. Furthermore, women won’t be left wondering whether or not you’re a catfish if your profile is fully verified and detailed.

9. You haven't tried Hinge Preferred or Hinge Premium

Upgrading your membership to Hinge Preferred or Hinge+ may not be your first thought, but it comes with many exclusive features. Paid tiers offer an unlimited number of likes, unlimited swipes, and advanced preferences that can upgrade your Hinge account. These features essentially allow you to bypass some of the algorithmic throttling that happens to free users who have low engagement.

You may have tried these and still had no luck. It would sure take a lot of stress off to let someone else craft your profile and be done with it. To get real knowledge of the algorithm and proven techniques for success, optimize your Hinge profile with ROAST and make matching a cinch. Try it today.

No Likes on Hinge, am I Shadowbanned?

If you are getting no likes on Hinge, it is rarely a shadowban. Often, the Hinge algorithm deprioritizes your profile because of low engagement. If you see no matches on Hinge, try a 3-day break. This period of inactivity helps reset your visibility among other users. When you return to the dating app, refresh your photos and prompts, and always add a comment to work toward more matches.

How to Get More Likes on Hinge for Guys: 10 Profile Tips

Now that you know what could be wrong with your profile that's affecting your success on the app, it's time for a total transformation. In 2026, the competition is higher than ever, and simply having a decent profile isn't enough to beat the hinge algorithm. To move from getting no likes on hinge to having a consistent stream of matches, you need a strategic approach.

Here are 10 ways to optimize your profile and get more likes on Hinge.

1. Master the lead photo requirements

Your first photo is the most important factor in whether or not you get matches. In the current dating landscape, users make split-second decisions. To pass the test, your first photo should be a high-resolution portrait.

• Wear a suit or formal attire: Data shows that men in well-tailored suits or "smart-casual" blazer looks receive significantly more engagement. It signals status, effort, and maturity.
• No sunglasses or hats: This is a non-negotiable rule. If the hinge algorithm or the users can’t see your eyes and face clearly, they will swipe left. Covering your face creates a lack of trust and makes you look like you’re hiding something.
• Drop the selfies: Selfies are a major reason guys get no matches on hinge. They often result in poor lighting and awkward angles, making you seem isolated or overly focused on your own reflection.
• Smile and look at the camera: Eye contact and a genuine smile make you appear more approachable and confident, which are the two qualities women look for most on a dating app.

2. The Golden Rule: Always add a comment

One of the biggest mistakes men make is sending "naked" likes—likes without any text. If you want to see a massive jump in your activity, you must add a comment to every single like you send. When you add a comment, you are starting a conversation immediately, which drastically increases the likelihood of a match. Use the prompts or photos as a hook. Instead of just liking a photo of her hiking, ask where the trail was. This level of engagement shows you’ve actually looked at her profile and aren't just mass-swiping.

3. Consider Hinge Preferred for a 300% boost

If you are struggling with getting no likes on hinge, it might be time to look at the premium features. In 2026, Hinge Preferred (and Hinge+) remains a powerful tool. Statistics suggest that users who upgrade see up to a 300% increase in their match rate. This is because you get unlimited likes and the ability to see everyone who likes you at once. It also allows you to narrow down your preferences more effectively, ensuring your profile is being shown to the most compatible users.

4. Optimize your profile variety

Once you have a strong lead photo, the rest of your photos need to tell a story. Avoid repetitive shots. You should have at least one full-body shot to show your physique and one lifestyle shot of you engaged in a hobby or activity. Candid photos taken by friends are much more effective than staged photos because they provide social proof—they show that you actually have a life and friends who enjoy your company. These "action" shots work as perfect conversation starters for women who want to find common ground.

5. Use high-engagement prompts

Hinge prompts are the best way to showcase your personality beyond your looks. Don’t waste them with one-word answers or clichés like "I love tacos." Instead, choose prompts that invite a response. Mention a specific "unpopular opinion" or describe your "perfect Sunday" in a way that someone could easily comment on. The goal is to make it as easy as possible for someone to start a conversation with you. If your prompts are boring, you’ll find yourself getting no matches on hinge even if your photos are great.

6. Lean into the niche

A common mistake is trying to appeal to every woman on the app. This usually results in a bland profile that doesn't excite anyone. Instead, decide what kind of person you are looking for and curate your profile to attract them. If you’re a nerd, show it. If you’re into fitness, make that clear. By "niching down," you might get fewer total likes, but the matches you do get will be much higher quality and far more likely to lead to an actual date.

7. Clean up your group photos

Group photos are a minefield. If you include them, follow the "rule of three": never use a group photo as your first or second picture, and never include more than one. If you aren’t the most attractive or tallest person in the group photo, it can actually hurt your chances. Women don’t want to play a game of "Where’s Waldo" to figure out which one you are. If you’re unsure, it’s always safer to stick to solo photos that focus on you.

8. Connect your social media for social proof

To prove you’re not a catfish and to give a deeper look at your life, connect your Instagram or Spotify. Showing your music taste or a feed of your recent travels adds layers to your personality that a standard dating profile can’t capture. It increases the "trust" factor within the hinge algorithm, as verified and connected accounts often see better visibility among active users.

9. Don’t ignore your filters

If your "no likes on hinge" problem persists, check your filters. Being too restrictive with age, distance, or height can drastically limit the pool of people who see your profile. Try expanding your search radius by just 5 or 10 miles. You’d be surprised how many high-quality users are just outside your current "dealbreaker" zone. Keeping your options slightly more open allows the algorithm to gather more data on who likes you, which eventually helps it show you better matches.

10. Avoid the mass-swipe penalty

The hinge algorithm is designed to reward intentionality. If you swipe right on every single profile you see, the app may flag your account as a bot or a low-effort user, which will tank your visibility. Be selective. Only like profiles that you genuinely want to talk to. This keeps your engagement rate healthy and ensures that when you do get a match, you’re actually interested in the conversation.

If you’ve tried all these tips and are still scratching your head, it might be time for a professional audit. Another set of eyes can often see the "red flags" that you are blind to. This is where ROAST comes in—an app that uses AI and real human feedback to analyze your profile and tell you exactly what to change to increase your visibility. You can start by taking a short quiz to see how your profile currently ranks and what you can do to fix it.

Navigating a dating app in 2026 can be tricky, but by focusing on high-quality photos, consistent engagement, and a complete profile, you can turn your luck around and start landing real-world dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal to not get likes on Hinge?

It is normal to see fewer likes on Hinge compared to other platforms because the hinge algorithm is built for relationship-seekers rather than casual swipers. This dating app prioritizes quality over quantity, meaning you won't always get the same high volume of notifications as you might on more fast-paced apps. If you are currently getting no likes on hinge, it may just be that your profile is still being calibrated by the system, which typically takes about a week of consistent activity to normalize. Because the app requires more effort from users to start a conversation, the pace of dating here is naturally a bit slower than on Tinder or Bumble.

How to reset Hinge to get more likes?

You can reset your experience by going into your dating preferences and slightly adjusting your filters to prompt the app to find a new pool of potential matches. After making these changes, it is best to stop using the app for five to seven days so the algorithm can fully recalibrate your profile. This break from activity is often more effective than a total account deletion, as it preserves your standing with the dating app while refreshing who sees your photos and prompts. This method helps the hinge algorithm understand that you are looking for a fresh start without triggering the spam filters that often catch users who delete and recreate accounts too frequently.

Why am I so unsuccessful on Hinge?

You are likely experiencing no matches on hinge due to a profile that lacks engaging prompts or features low-quality photos that don't capture your personality. To fix the problem of getting no likes on hinge, make sure you add a comment to every like you send to show genuine interest and increase your engagement score. The way these dating systems work is by rewarding users who actively participate and use the features provided; therefore, rotating your photos and updating your answers keeps your presence fresh for other users. If you live in a less populated area, widening your search settings can also help bypass demographic limitations that might be hindering your matches in 2026.

Conclusion

Getting no likes on hinge in 2026 can feel frustrating, but it is rarely a permanent situation. Most often, the issue stems from a lack of profile engagement or a misunderstanding of how the hinge algorithm prioritizes active users. By refreshing your photos and updating your prompts, you signal to the dating app that you are ready for new connections.

Your Next Steps for Success

To fix no matches on hinge, shift your strategy from passive scrolling to active participation. When you send a like, always take the time to add a comment. This simple action increases your visibility and helps the algorithm understand your preferences. If you find yourself getting no likes on hinge, treat it as a signal to audit your content and boost your overall activity levels. Success on any dating app requires a bit of work and a willingness to adapt. With an optimized profile and a more intentional approach, you can turn things around and start seeing the matches you deserve.