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Key points
- January 7th is the busiest day for dating apps, offering increased chances of finding matches.
- Shift your profile focus from dealbreakers to what you want, such as your interests.
- Use recent, clear photos that represent your current appearance and interests.
The new year often brings with it a surge of motivation for most people to focus on their resolutions and shifting their habits. This surge in motivation also impacts dating habits, and according to research, the best time to use a dating app is this Sunday, January 7.
This day is called “Dating Sunday” and is known as the busiest day for dating apps throughout the year. According to Tinder, the number of messages sent by users of the app last year was 22 percent higher than usual, and the number of likes sent was 18 percent higher than usual. The effects of dating Sunday are not just limited to that particular day, as Tinder reports that last year, the highest amount of app usage during the entire year occurred between January 1 and February 14.
If you’ve wanted to meet new people, dating Sunday would be a great day to start since there is a higher-than-average dating app usage, increasing the likelihood of finding potentially motivated matches to engage with you.
If you’ve been struggling with online dating and are not getting the desired results, consider whether your profile or pictures need to be tweaked. Data from eHarmony showed that some of the most common turnoffs on a dating app profile include:
- No solo photos on the profile - 40 percent
- Showing off their wealth - 37 percent
- No age listed - 33 percent
- No occupation listed - 21 percent
- Photos with a fish - 15 percent
- No height listed - 14 percent
If you would like to increase your chance of having a successful outcome on the apps, consider the following tips:
1. Rather than leading with your dealbreakers, focus on what you want in your profile.
If you’ve dealt with enough disappointment with online dating, it’s not unusual to want to prevent the same outcome from happening again in the future. In an effort to protect oneself and save time, many people choose to focus on the dealbreakers that they don’t want in their dating profile.
An example of what this may look like on a dating app bio is statements such as, “Not here for people who don’t respond or waste my time” or “Don’t send me a message if you do X, Y, Z.”
The problem with this approach is that leading with everything you don’t want can be perceived as negative and eliminate potential partners who could be a great match but know nothing else about you. Instead of focusing on what you don’t want, consider sharing more about yourself and what you want.
2. Get feedback from people you trust about your dating profile.
When it comes to online dating, first impressions can make or break your results. Your dating profile is similar to the trailer for a movie. If the movie preview doesn’t spark curiosity, it doesn’t make a difference how good the movie is since no one will see it. This is why it can be helpful to get feedback from others you trust about your dating profile and whether there are areas for improvement.
3. Focus on showcasing your strengths in your profile.
Reflect on how your family and friends would describe you to a potential match. Consider three strengths or qualities they love about you and how you can include them in your profile.
4. Be intentional with your pictures.
One of the common complaints from dating app users is that potential matches aren’t using updated pictures or that they are mostly using group photos. When selecting photos, consider whether they are recent and accurately represent your current look. Be mindful of how many group photos you are using and whether it would be clear to a potential match which person’s profile they are looking at.
Additionally, consider how you can show your interests through your pictures. For example, if your interests include traveling and cooking, consider including pictures of you engaging in both activities to help your potential matches get a taste of your personality and the types of activities you enjoy.
5. Include profile bait.
Profile bait consists of a statement or question that can provide a potential match with a way to easily start a conversation. For example, putting two truths and a lie in your profile can prompt potential matches to start the conversation by guessing which statements are true and which are false. There are plenty of ways to include helpful prompts in your profile, and many apps now have suggestions for prompts to use or questions you can ask potential matches.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute professional or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health professional or another qualified health provider with questions regarding your condition or well-being.
