Photos and Dating
Why Am I Not Getting Matches on Hinge?
No matches at all after weeks on Hinge? It can feel personal, but in most cases the problem is fixable. Usually it comes down to a few parts of the profile.
1. Your first photo
The first photo does most of the work. Make sure it is:
- A clear, recent photo of just you
- Well lit, with your face easy to see
- Without sunglasses or a hat
- Friendly, ideally with a natural smile
If your first photo is a selfie in the car, a far away shot, or a group photo, change it first. This one change often helps more than anything else.
2. The rest of your photos
Hinge shows six photos. Try to include:
- A second clear face photo with a different look
- A full body photo in a normal setting
- One or two photos doing something you enjoy
- One social photo where you are easy to spot
Remove photos that are very old, blurry, or heavily filtered. Remove more than one mirror selfie. Your photos should match how you look today.
3. Your prompts
Prompts give people a reason to start talking. Many profiles use answers that are too general, like "I love to travel and laugh." Try being specific instead. "The best tacos in town are at a tiny place near my work, and I will fight you on this" gives someone something easy to reply to.
Good prompts are:
- True and specific
- Light and friendly
- Easy to reply to, like a small opinion or a question
Avoid long lists of things you do not want. They can sound negative.
4. How you send likes
On Hinge, you can like a photo or a prompt and add a comment. A short, kind comment about something in their profile works better than a plain like. Sending fewer, more thoughtful likes is usually better than liking everyone.
5. Your filters
Check your settings. If your age range, distance, or dealbreakers are very narrow, you may not be shown to many people. Try widening one setting a little and see if things change.
6. Give changes time
After you update your profile, give it a week or two before judging. Change one or two things at a time so you can tell what helps.
Getting honest feedback
It is hard to see your own profile clearly. Friends may be too nice, and you may be too hard on yourself. Getting opinions from strangers can help a lot. The Face They See lets people of the opposite gender rank your photos for free, so you can find out which photo they would choose for your first slot.
A note on how you feel
Low matches can hurt, but they do not measure your worth. Apps are a small slice of dating. Many people meet partners through friends, hobbies, and events. Keep improving your profile, but also keep living a full life. That makes for better photos and better conversations anyway.