Sliding into someone’s DMs or approaching a real-live human being can seem daunting —especially if you’re new in town or just arrived on campus. Enter dating apps — relationship window-shopping from the comfort of your bed or classroom, if you’re feeling bold. So, if you want to stick out and not be a mindless swipe, here are some tips to get the people talking.

When making your profile, remember that it’s practically an elevator-pitch. Make it short and sweet, so that people are intrigued and want to learn more. Add some unique features to your profile. 

Sure, most people might write a short bio and list some interests, but how many people include audio recordings? On the app Hinge, users can answer “voice prompts,” which are recorded answers that appear in your profile. This unique feature will not only help you stand out, but also provide a sneak peek into what your personality is like for potential matches. 

Other unique features you can use to showcase your personality on dating apps include attaching your favorite songs, answering short, witty prompts and including video clips.

Instead of telling people about your personality, show them. Incorporate pictures into your profile that highlight your hobbies and interests. If you love to travel, add a picture from your semester abroad. If you love watching hockey, throw in a picture of you at a hockey game. Having visual depictions of your interests is more likely to grab users’ attention than just simply telling them.  

The first picture is key. This picture is the make-or-break for matches. If it’s too blurry or just a shot of your abs, you might receive less matches. Showcase your face — the real prize.

That being said, make sure your profile has a diverse range of pictures. Too many pictures of the same thing can drive people to swipe left. 

When asked about red flags on dating apps, Isabella Rodriguez emphasizes an issue with men overusing the classic “fishing picture.” 

“You could fish that’s fine, but if it’s your entire personality, I can’t vibe with that,” said Rodriguez. 

Make sure to include solo pictures and even a picture of you simply standing. This way people can get a sense of your height, your style, and how you may appear in person — if you choose to meet up at all. 

“When there are too many group  pictures, I can’t even tell who the account belongs to,” said Rodriguez. 

Dating apps are half about making your account presentable and half about shooting your shot. You could have the best profile out there, but if you have no game, how do you expect to keep a potential partner interested? 

When messaging a match, don’t go the cheesy route. Instead, try asking an interesting question about the user’s profile to spark conversation. Ask about a song, book, or even where they were in a picture. If it’s something with more substance than “you have gorgeous eyes” or the ever-so-simple “hey,” it shows that you at least browsed their profile. Even a fun question like a “would you rather…” might be a good way to get a fun conversation going.

On the other hand, taking the overly cheesy route can be successful too. Have a little fun with a match and over-exaggerate how much you’re into them. Sarcasm via text is tricky, so make it obvious that you aren’t serious about “booking the honeymoon to Greece” or “getting the two-carat diamond.”

It’s essential for dating app users to showcase the best version of themselves without being misleading. Although it may be tempting to hide your true self in order to get more swipes, science suggests doing so might result in the opposite effect. 

Dr. Elyse Hurtado, a social psychology professor at the University of Miami, highlights the relationship between attraction and similarity.

 “One of the strongest predictors of attraction is similarity. We are most likely to be attracted to someone with similar values, interests, upbringing, background, education, income level, race/ethnicity, religion, political views, etc.,” said Hurtado. “By being true to yourself, you are more likely to attract people who are similar to you, and in turn, find someone you could be a perfect match with. The best advice I have for dating apps is, to be honest, and be yourself; that gives the best chance of finding the right fit for a relationship, or a fun date, whatever someone is looking for.”

So, make sure that as you go about enhancing your profile, make sure to keep it authentic, positive and true to you. Happy swiping. 

words_diana moschetti. design_melanie bergunker. illustatrion_isa márquez.