How To Improve Your Dating Profile In 5 Steps

1. Take better pictures.

2. Link to your social media.

If your dating app allows you to link to Instagram, Pandora, etc., do it. The benefit of linking your dating profile to various social media platforms is that women gain more insight into who you are. 

Photos of yourself on Instagram, for example, having fun and sharing more of your life works wonders. Your favorite music appearing via Spotify can create a connection as well. It's a good idea to use this feature to your advantage. 

3. Revamp your bio.

4. Share what you're looking for.

Here's a tip that most men don't do in their profiles - describe what you're looking for in a partner. One study found that men who describe what they are looking for in a partner receive the best results.

The guys who get the best results on dating apps have profiles describing what they want. The rest of the guys put up bios where they hope women choose them. There's a difference. Women love a confident man.

Be realistic here. Positive and fun. Avoid a laundry list of traits and definitely avoid negative statements such as, "Don't message me if..." with strict demands.

Keep it simple. It's as easy as saying, "I'm looking for someone passionate about something, kind to others, has a great sense of humor. You're active but don't mind splitting a pizza with me."

5. Close your profile out strong.

I like to finish my profile with a call to action. A call to action is a phrase that tells the user precisely what action to take and how to take it. It's a marketing trick that works!

You no doubt see these on TV infomercials or when you visit websites.  Heck, I even use them. Call to actions are used for a reason; to encourage you to act now.

The beauty of a call to action is you can add one to the end of your profile to prompt women to contact you. Write this at the end of your bio, "I look forward to hearing from you." Simple.

10 Things You Should Never Write On A Dating Profile

Things men should never write on a dating profile include sharing you're a nice guy, being fluent in sarcasm, and being an entrepreneur. These phrases, and even a single word, are instant turnoffs to women.

The list of phrases on this post is universally bad. Yes, many of the phrases below are used by women also. Because women use them too, it doesn't mean it's acceptable for you to use them in your bio.

Immediately remove any of the phrases on this page from your profile. Here are 10 things you should never write on a dating profile if you're a guy.

1. Ask me anything or to Just ask.

Telling a woman to "just ask" in your bio is a waste of space. Take it from me, if a woman wants to ask you a question, she will. There's no benefit writing in your bio, "just ask."

If you want a woman to ask something, craft a well-written bio. A bio with good depth will prompt women to like your bio, swipe right, and initiate conversations.

There's no need to ask women to contact you because it doesn't help. Instead, take some time when writing your self-summary. The effort you put into your bio will pay off when women contact you first.

2. My friends say...

A lot of men begin their bio sharing what others say about them. Examples include, "I've been told," "My friends would say," or, "Some people say," followed by a list of traits and qualities.

A real man speaks for himself and doesn't hide behind others. Letting someone speak for you shows a lack of confidence. You appear uncomfortable describing yourself as well.

It's simple - just write who you are. Saying, "I've been told" isn't necessary, is a poor introduction, and is off-putting to women that read your profile.

If you claim to be "funny", show it in your self-summary. If you are "giving" and "kind," describe how. If you're a "great guy," make sure your profile proves it. 

3. I'm a nice guy.

Do nice guys finish last? I don't think so, but one thing is true; if you write, you're a "nice" guy on your profile; you WILL not connect with many women.

I can't believe how often men deem themselves a nice guy or "the sweetest guy you'll ever meet" on their profile.

Writing how you're a nice guy is often used by guys who aren't nice at all. It's as if you're writing something you think women want to see in your bio. The bad news is, they don't care if you label yourself a nice guy.

Besides, it's almost impossible to prove you're a nice guy unless you volunteer for something or rescue animals. Remove phrases similar to "I'm a nice guy" and focus on other adjectives you can back up in your profile. 

You can only prove you're a nice guy after meeting a woman. Writing it on your bio is a waste of space and doesn't work.

4. I hate talking about myself.

Suck it up. Nobody likes talking about themselves, but it's important to actually say something about yourself. Otherwise, you will fail on dating apps.

What's the point of starting your bio with a statement sharing you don't like writing about yourself? Starting off your bio with how much you hate writing about yourself or suck at profiles is an instant turnoff to women. 

I don't like writing about myself, but I know it's critical to meet someone. As uncomfortable as it may be, sit down, think about it, and start writing about your hobbies, passions, interests, goals, achievements, etc. You're more likely to connect with a woman doing this.

No woman sees "I suck at writing profiles" and thinks, "Wow, we have so much in common. I gotta meet this guy." Shake off the uncomfortably and just start writing.

5. I'm not sure what I'm looking for...

Another mistake is sharing that you're not sure what you're looking for in your dating profile. It makes you appear wishy-washy or don't know what you want.

Nothing turns a woman off faster than a guy who is unsure of himself. Phrases such as, "I don't know why I'm here," lack confidence. 

Women are attracted to alpha males. Men who take action and know what they want. Show you're on a dating app for a reason and aren't just "curious" or "checking this out."

If you're not sure of what you want, stay off dating apps. You'll fare better when your bio shows states what you're looking for. You're on a dating app for a reason, so own up to it.

6. I love to laugh.

What exactly does this mean? Everyone loves to laugh, but this phrase is meaningless. You might as well write, "I love to breathe."

I get it, you're trying to show you have a great sense of humor. Maybe you want women to think you're a fun guy. But, this phrase offers no proof that you're funny.

A better way to show you're fun is with actual humor in your bio. Think of witty things you can use to describe yourself. For example, you could write, "I'm an early riser, trapped in the body of someone who sleeps in late." 

Women love a guy with a sense of humor. What better way to make a great first impression than making women smile when reading your profile.

7.  I'm fluent in sarcasm.

Sarcasm is fine in person but shouldn't the primary selling point in your bio. It's not a trait women look for in a partner when reading men's profiles. Thus, there's no need to highlight you're "fluent in sarcasm."

And stay away from using sarcasm in your bio because it doesn't translate well. It's difficult to pull off sarcasm in written form. Women reading your bio may find it confusing.

"I'm fluent in sarcasm" is one of the most overused phrases on dating apps. It's among the top things men should never write on a dating profile.

8. I'm an entrepreneur.

The word entrepreneur is an overused label these days for men. Some women instantly think, unemployed, and you can't afford to do things.

Zoosk found men who refer to themselves as an entrepreneur in their profiles get 16% fewer messages. Zoosk claims the word may be a bit played out.

A better description may be "self-employed." Anything is acceptable if you work for yourself except using the word "entrepreneur." Keep this word off your bio as it's proven to harm your results.

9. My family (or friends) is important to me.

I'm not sure why people write this on their bio. Isn't everyone's family important to them? This is another meaningless phrase. 

Sharing how your family is important to you is an overused phrase on profiles. Instead, share how you spend time with your family; I'm fortunate my entire extended family lives within a 20-mile radius. I see my family when I can. Be it a holiday get together, board game night, or football on Sundays. We enjoy our time together and have the freedom to have our own interests and friends.

Which phrase do you think is a better first impression? The description above, or the phase, "My family is important to me." The answer should be obvious.

10. A Jim looking for his Pam.

If you like The Office, that's cool. Just write in your bio that it's one of your favorite shows and dive into why. However, stay away from that you're a "Jim looking for his Pam." 

I can't tell you how many men write how they are looking for the "Pam to my Jim." Even fans of The Office find this phrase annoying. This is an overused cliche that is as bad as "I love to laugh" or "I like long walks on the beach." Keep it off your bio.

Final Thoughts

The 10 Biggest Profile Turnoffs For Women

The biggest dating profile turnoffs for women include a lack of effort in your bio, not smiling in photos, and negativity. These are instant attraction killers are cripple your chances on dating apps.

The goal of your dating profile is to show an accurate depiction of your life. It's what makes you stand out. Women want to get an idea of your passions, interests, and what makes you unique.

Unfortunately, a lot of men stumble out of the gate. Guys choose to share undesirable traits and are unaware of the impact these things have on their results.

If you aren't seeing results on dating apps, you may be making a mistake as well. Read this page to ensure you don't do anything to harm your chances. Here are the 10 biggest profile turnoffs for women on dating apps.

1. Lack of effort in your bio.

2. There are women in your profile photos.

Another turnoff for women is when there are women in your profile pictures. Never use photos that have women in them. EVER!

There is a myth that women in your profile photos make you more desirable to women on dating apps. That is not true. There is no study about online dating that finds it's a good idea to have pictures alongside females.

Dating apps warn you to keep members of the opposite sex off your profile. Hinge found "standing with a member of the opposite sex is one of the worst things you can do. Even if the person is just a friend or family member, if it looks like it could be a significant other, your likes decrease by 98 percent."

There is no debating the statement above. Women in your profile pictures hurt your results. That's a fact, so keep women out of your profile portfolio.

3. You don't smile in your pictures.

Chemistry.com found the first thing women look at in a man's profile photo is his smile and eyes. A smile is inviting, friendly, and a great first impression.

A smile shows some of your personality. Hinge found smiling in photos will increase your right swipes by 14%.

Unfortunately, some use photos where they don't smile. Nearly 40% of men don't smile in their photos, which is bad. One of the biggest dating profile turnoffs for women are photos where men don't smile.

You may think, "what's wrong with not smiling." If you don't have any photos smiling, it signals aggression and unfriendliness.

Photofeeler, a site that gives feedback on photos, found, "most men who look threatening in their dating pics aren't aware they do." You look grumpy and a little threatening when you don't smile.

Always use photos in your profile where you smile. Smirking doesn't count. If you don't show teeth, don't use the picture.

4. You show a lack of confidence.

Avoid writing how you "aren't sure what you're looking for" or how you figure you would "give this a shot." You're on a dating app for a reason, so own up to it.

Women prefer men who are confident and self-assured. Don't show you're wishy-washy nor use phrases that show you're insecure or don't know what you are doing.

Zoosk found saying that you’re "not sure" decreased messages by up to 16%. Other words include "maybe," "dunno," "sort of," and "kind of," which got 2–9% fewer incoming messages from women.

Also, never use passive words in your bio. These include words like "if," "maybe," and "would." An example would be writing, "If you're interested, let me know." Read that phrase out loud. Do you see how the word "if" shows a lack of confidence?

Elitesingles found, "a confident, upbeat person exudes charm which instantly makes them more desirable." Read through your bio and remove words and phrases that don't show confidence.

5. You use cliches in your bio.

I remember when I joined my first dating site in 2007, and the common most overused phrase was, "I like long walks on the beach." That phrase was so overused it was a punchline.

Today, there are so many cliches; you shake your head, wondering why people use them. I'm guessing people don't realize they are using cliches.

Examples of overused cliches on dating profiles include:

• "I have no baggage."
• "I'm not looking for drama."
• "Live, laugh, love."
• "The beach is my happy place."
• “Work hard play hard.”
• "Looking for my partner in crime."
• "I am fluent in sarcasm."

There are countless more phrases like the ones above. These phrases are meaningless and don't help you one bit.

As corny as it sounds, a better idea is to speak from the heart. Write about who you truly are and don't hide behind cliches, such as how you "love to laugh." You'll fare better when you're honest about yourself.

6. You hide your face in photos.

7. There's bad grammar in your self-summary.

8. You show that you're unavailable.

Don't talk about how busy you are in your bio. Some guys share how they don't have a lot of free time but are "'willing to make time for the right person."

It's a huge blunder to share that you don't have much free time. According to Zoosk, men who mention how busy they are, receive 13% fewer messages. 

Everyone is busy. We all have work, commitments, priorities, etc. There is no benefit to writing anything like this on your bio.

Writing how busy you are, makes it sound like you don't have time for someone and is one of the lesser-known dating profile turnoffs for women

9. There is negativity in your bio.

10. There are signs of neediness in your bio.

How To Give Your Dating Profile A Makeover

If you want results on dating apps, it's critical to give your dating profile a makeover at least once a month. It's a huge blunder to never update your profile because you want your bio to currently reflect your lifestyle.

Keeping your profile fresh is a great way to grab a woman's attention. Women who bypassed you may connect with you because of a recent change.

An added benefit is that some apps, OkCupid, for example, show you to more women when you often update your bio. There are real advantages to giving your profile a makeover.

Here are 5 ways to give your dating profile makeover, so you can connect with more women.

1. Add new photos to your profile.

2. Update your bio at least once a month.

It's important to keep the written section of your dating profile current and fresh. The best way to do this is to update your bio at least once a month. You don't need to rewrite it completely; just swap out a few recent adventures.

You can update anything in your bio; a recent road trip, a job promotion, and achievement. Maybe you finished a half-marathon. Go ahead an include it. Taking a cooking class? Include that in your bio.

Something as simple as a show on Netflix can kickstart a conversation with a woman. I always update my bio with a recent show I watch.

3. Check your profile settings.

When giving your dating profile a makeover, check your profile settings. An often-overlooked section of a dating profile is the settings where you indicate if you want kids, have pets, are a social drinker, and what you're looking for.

Most apps have settings you fill out. It's important to give your settings a once over. A quick check can identify any missing answers, so check your profile.

Women look at the answers to your settings as well as use them in their search filters. Also, dating apps use them to match you with women, so it's good to check them.

4. Get into the nuts and bolts of your app.

Do yourself a favor and take a good look at your app. Check for features that can enhance your profile.

If your profile has anything, as I mentioned above, use them. Little things like this help you stand out.

5. Remove any negativity from your bio.

Check your profile for anything negative and remove it. This includes sharing how you're not "here for games or drama," or using the phrase "Don't message me if," followed by a list of demands. 

Keep your positive 100% positive. Women aren't on dating apps looking to meet guys with negativity. Dating apps show people with positive profiles get better results.

Plentyoffish found people with positive identifiers in their profile receive 23% more incoming messages. This alone should tell you to keep your positive, light, and funny.

What Are Good Online Dating Dating Hacks For Men?

Online dating hacks that help guys include adding captions to photos, inserting clickbait in your profile, and talking on the phone.

Whatever app you use, countless men are competing with you for women's attention. You must separate yourself from the herd and stand out!

A profile with depth, humor, and good photos can work wonders. If you want an added edge, follow the online dating hacks below, and you may see a boost in your results.

1. Add captions to your photos.

2. Use social media and the internet to your advantage.

A great way to make sure women are who they say they are is to use social media to your advantage. After you match with a woman and get her number, seek her out on social media.

Some dating apps share a woman's full name. Hinge is an example. It's a good idea to play it safe and look them up.

I always look on Facebook, for example, once I get a woman's number or full name. It's best to protect yourself against someone who looks nothing like their photos, or even worse, a scammer or catfish.

I'm not suggesting you stalk someone, but instead, check and make sure their dating app photos match their social media photos. That's all you really want to do.

It may save you grief. Many years ago, I met a woman on Plentyoffish. I got her number and plugged it into Google. At the top of the search results was her Backpage ad.

In case you aren't aware, Backpage was a site similar to Craigslist, where escorts offered their services. Yep, the woman I met on a dating app was a hooker. I politely told her, "no thanks," and that was that.

3. Use clickbait in your dating profile.

A great tip for your dating profile is inserting a clickbait headline. Add the clickbait line at the top of your dating profile. All you need is one!

In case you are the one person on Earth who doesn't know what clickbait is, it's definition is "content whose main purpose is to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link to a particular web page." Below is an example.

You see clickbait everywhere; on Facebook, websites, and search engine results. The great thing about clickbait is it works when added to your profile.

A clickbait line in your profile creates curiosity with women reading it. You give information, but not the whole picture. A curiosity-based line in your profile causes women to want the answer.

Here's an example, "I know the best spot in town for fish tacos." I wrote this on my profile on Hinge and look at the result; a woman sent me an icebreaker asking about it.

Do yourself a favor and finish this sentence with something you enjoy, "I know the best spot in town for..." It may cause several women to send you an icebreaker.

4. Talk on the phone

It's crazy how people just text these days, but a lot of women like to hear a voice. It's a little "old school," but it's a great way to ensure there's chemistry before meeting someone.

You can determine if there's a natural ebb and flow between you and a woman with a quick conversation. I recommend doing it.

Many women appreciate a phone call as well. Women of all ages still like talking on the phone. Of course, some women prefer texting, and that's fine. Always respect a woman's choice of communication.

However, if a woman is down with talking, you must call her. Don't just text her. 

If you're not very good at talking, it's time to practice. Raise your game. The more women you talk to, the better you get at it.

A quick way to find out if a woman is open to talking is sending this message when you get her phone number, "Are you a talker or texter?" A woman's answer guides how you communicate with her.

5. Show, don't tell.

One of the best online dating hacks for your messages is to show, don't tell. You want to create a connection with women in your messages. The best way of doing this is by showing you have something in common.

Most guys write, "We have a lot in common," in their icebreakers. Where's the proof? You can't expect a woman to take your word, or believe you because so many men use the same approach.

A better approach is showing you have something in common. Take my message below on Match.com. Rita shares that she enjoys boxing in her bio. Instead of saying, "We both like boxing," I choose to show it by sharing how I did boxing also.

The key takeaway from my message above is I commented on a topic on the woman's profile while sharing I also do the same hobby.

For more message tips, visit my blog post, What Are Good Online Dating First Message Tips For Men?

The Top 7 Things Men Never Lie About On Dating Profiles

1. Don't lie about what you're looking for on dating apps.

Don't say you're looking for a relationship if you're only looking to hookup. A lot of men say things they think women want to hear because they want casual sex.

If you want a relationship, great. If you want something casual, that's fine too. Just be honest about your intentions. You will fare better if you tell women what you want; trust me on this.

Women are looking for casual relationships on dating apps. Some are open to non-monogamy. The key is being upfront with your intentions.

If you're unsure what a woman wants, ask her. A simple trick is asking a woman what she's looking for. Women will tell you what they want, and 99% of the time will ask you what you're looking for. This is where you answer honestly.

2. Don't hide that you have kids.

Never hide that you have children. Sure, someone women don't want to date men with small children. While others are parents themselves and could care less. As with everything, it's important to let women know that you have children from the outset.

Maybe you think you'll bring up that you're a parent at "the right time." That's nonsense. You don't want to blindside a woman by telling her you are a father on your first date.

Don't add photos of your kids to your portfolio. Never do that. Protect their anonymity and keep them off your dating profile. It's better to write about having kids.

Zoosk found that talking about your kids prompts more messages from women. It's best to show you're a great dad by sharing things you do with your kids.

If your kids are teenagers, you can tack that onto your bio, because it shows you have more free time compared to men with younger kids. If you don't feel comfortable writing that you have kids, at least fill select "yes" on the "children" option. That's all you really need to do.

3. Don't lie about your age on your dating profile.

Never lie about your age. Ever. I get it, you're worried about your age gap with women you're interested in.

Maybe you're 51 and fall outside a woman's range of 35-45, but REALLY want to meet her. Don't finagle your birthday so you can appear in her search results. Seriously, don't do this.

Yes, some women are not interested in men your age. However, zero women want to date a guy who lies about his age.

Also, avoid writing, "I look younger than my age" in your bio. First of all, no, you don't. It's a meaningless statement. How do you think this helps you meet women? It doesn't.

When you share how you "look young" for your age, you draw attention to your age anyway. It's better to share your youthful spirit though interests/hobbies.

Traveling, an active lifestyle, cooking, concerts, and wine tasting are how you connect with women. Not writing, "I look young for my age."

4. Don't lie about where you live on your dating profile.

Don't put up a dating profile in one city where you live 75 miles away from. Fortunately, some apps use GPS, so you can't do this, but several allow you to simply enter a city or zip code.

You misrepresent yourself when you lie about your location. If you start a conversation with a woman and spring it on her that you live 100 miles away, it may come back to haunt you. Even worse if you tell her on a first date.

If you're visiting from another city. At least be honest about your intentions in your bio. I see this often on Tinder, and this is fine. The point is, don't say you're from an area you don't live in to meet women.

5. Never lie about your appearance in your profile photos.

6. Don't lie about your hobbies/interests in your profile.

You must share some of your hobbies in your bio. Your hobbies and interests provide insight into your lifestyle. They also act as hooks because then can serve as catalysts for women responding to your messages. And sometimes, women contact you first because they read about your interests in your profile.

Avoid writing activities you never actually do just to impress women or land dates. For example, never write how you "love to travel" when you only travel once a year. Or how you live an active lifestyle when you mostly sit on the couch watching TV or play video games.

It's simple, jot down a few of your hobbies that you actually do often. Then write a few sentences about each on your bio. Depth is key. If you don't have many hobbies, maybe it's time to find new ones.

7. Don't lie about your relationship status on your bio.

You Should Never Write THESE Things On Your Dating Profile

Things men should not write on a dating profile include sharing their Myers-Briggs results, telling women to "just ask", and writing how they have limited time to date. 

Your written bio should highlight your strengths, show confidence, and create a desire for women to meet you. Unfortunately, most men use approaches that do more harm than good.

Here are 10 things you should not write on a dating profile. If any of these apply to you, remove it from your bio immediately.

1. Your Myers-Briggs results.

2. Literally writing nothing about yourself.

​For whatever reason, some men write nothing about themselves in their bio. I'm not sure how you can expect to do well if you share nothing about who you are.

Putting zero effort into your bio shows women how serious you are about meeting someone. You appear lazy and don't care. 

3. You have limited time to date.

Don't write how you're very busy or have little time to date but will, "Make time for the right person." It's not necessary and makes you seem unavailable.

Think about it. Why would a woman looking for a relationship want to date a guy who has zero free time?

You shouldn't write how you are too busy for online dating. It sends a terrible message to women reading your bio. Take it off.

4. Showing skepticism about dating apps.

Stay away from writing how you have "low expectations for meeting someone" or "online dating isn't really your thing," but you figure you would give it a try.

First of all, these are negative statements. Women don't react well to negative bios. EliteSingles found 22% of members found negativity to be a turnoff.

These types of phrases also insult the women reading your bio. It comes across as arrogant. As if you are too good for online dating but have no other options.

You can't expect a woman to take you seriously if you are unsure if online dating is for you. You are on a dating app for a reason. Own it.

5. Sharing your frustrations.

Never use your bio as a forum to rant about your experiences on dating apps. If you're frustrated, take it out at the gym. Go outside and get some air. Just get off your phone or computer.

Your bio shows you're a man of character, strength, and what you have to offer as a potential partner. You want to show confidence, humor, and intelligence.

Yet, many guys decide to attack women in their bios. This is a huge blunder. No woman wants to meet a man who starts his bio like the one below.

6. Writing what you think women want to hear.

Women roll their eyes when they see men describe themselves as a "nice guy" or a "true gentleman" on their bios. Don't tell women you "hold doors open for them" and know how to "treat a lady."

These types of phrases come across as insincere. Yes, women like being treated with respect, getting flowers, and want a "gentleman." When you meet a woman, you can prove these things through actions!

You need to get to the date first. The best way is with a well-written bio with depth where you share information about your lifestyle and who you are instead of what you think women want to hear. 

7. You aren't here for games or drama.

Don't write on your bio how you aren't "here for games or drama" or tell women not to waste your time. This is one of the worst things you can write in your bio. I'm shocked by how many men write these.

Remember, you don't want a jaded, negative, hostile bio. No sane woman will read a guy's bio that says, "I'm not here for games" and thinks to herself, "Wow, this guy is a total catch. I gotta meet this guy!"

Nope, it will send women running for the hills. It's a waste of space. If you write how you don't have time for drama, you are probably the one that brings it.

8. Telling women to put effort into their messages.

You shouldn't tell women to put effort into their messages to you. Dude, most guys don't receive icebreakers from women at all. Be thankful a female sent you an icebreaker.

As I mentioned above, women don't like seeing negativity on dating profiles. Telling women to send you a well thought out first message isn't attractive and not a good first impression.

When you have a well-written bio, some women will send icebreakers commenting on your bio. Others may send "hey" as their icebreaker. Either way, be grateful you received a message.

9. "I can't see likes!"

Any woman who uses OkCupid sees an insane amount of men who write, "I can't see likes." The reason OkCupid does this is to encourage you to become an upgraded member, meaning a paid membership.

It's OK to use the free version, but don't write "I can't see likes" on your bio. You are the man, so go out and seek women and message them. Don't sit around waiting for someone to "like" your bio.

It's usually the first thing men write on their bio, and it's a terrible way to introduce yourself. If a woman is really interested in you, she will send you an icebreaker.

And it's not just OkCupid that has this problem, women on Plentyoffiish often see, "I'm not an upgraded member." Again, it's pointless to add this to your bio.

Whatever dating app you use, don't point out its limitations on your bio. If your bio is good, women will message you.

10. Tell women to message you first or "just ask."