What Are The Biggest Mistakes Men Make on Hinge?

The top mistakes men make on Hinge include an incomplete profile, ignoring red flags, and generic openers. The good news is, mistakes like these are easy to avoid.

This post shares ten common mistakes men make on Hinge, shedding light on the missteps that can sabotage your results. Check the list below to identify mistakes you may unknowingly be making and fix them.

1. Not having a plan!
2. You have an incomplete profile.
3. Your photos are outdated.
4. Neglecting profile optimization.
5. Using generic opening lines.
6. You compliment women in your icebreakers.
7. Your conversations are dull.
8. You ignore red flags.
9. Failing to show interest in a woman's hobbies or passions.
10. Moving too slowly (or too quickly) for a date.

1. Not having a plan!

A huge mistake for men using Hinge is joining without a plan or purpose. You're at a huge disadvantage if you join the app not knowing what you want.

Most women on Hinge seek a relationship and won't waste their time with a guy who "isn't sure what he's looking for." It's an app designed for people seeking relationships, so if you don't know what you want, it's not for you.

The guy below is a prime example of not having a plan - he's seeking two totally opposite relationship types. Women seeking a relationship don't want to be someone's short-term option, so this is a blunder on his part.

Having a plan on Hinge is important because it provides clarity of purpose, helping you define your goals and intentions. A plan allows you to approach conversations and connections with a focused mindset, increasing your chances of finding compatible matches.

2. You have an incomplete profile.

A poor profile makes a terrible first impression on women on Hinge. A lack of effort makes it difficult for women to see if you're compatible and develop an initial attraction.

An incomplete profile signals to women that you're lazy or not serious about meeting someone. It's an instant red flag and plummets your chances of success on the app. 

An end-to-end complete profile increases your chances on Hinge substantially. Investing time and energy into your profile to maximize your chances of success on the app is essential.

Be sure to create a well-rounded profile that showcases your personality and what you're looking for on the app. Here are tips for your profile on Hinge:

• Photos - You can add 6 photos to your profile on Hinge. Use different photos showing your interests, passions, and hobbies. 
• Prompts - Balance out your profile by answering prompts showcasing your interests beyond your pictures. Engaging prompts create connections with women. Using at least one prompt to write what you want in a partner is a good idea. 
• Voice prompt - A voice prompt is a great way to stand out because most men ignore this feature. 
• Prompt poll - Use the poll feature by creating fun answers that keep women engaged.
• Profile traits - The My Vitals/My Virtues/My Vices sections are critical because they give women an idea of who you are and what you're looking for on the app.
• Instagram feed - This feature allows you to add more photos about yourself, giving women more insight into your lifestyle.

A complete profile helps you stand out because most guys put zero effort into their profiles. If your profile shows depth, it makes it easier for women to start conversations with you.

3. Your photos are outdated.

One of the biggest pet peeves of women on Hinge is men using old, outdated photos. Don't use pictures from 3 years ago - women want to see current photos.

Here's a tip you should use when judging your pictures - stand in front of a mirror and look at yourself. If the photos on your profile don't match what you're seeing in the mirror, it's time to replace them.

Women are skeptical of men using older photos, so maintain a consistent look; otherwise, they won't think your pictures are current. For example, using photos with full-beard and other pictures where you're clean-shaven is a red flag because they aren't consistent.

Only use pictures that line up with the current time of the year. If it's July, your photos should have no X-mas trees.

One of the best tips for your photos is verifying yourself. It puts a woman's mind at ease that your pictures are current.

4. Neglecting profile optimization.

One of the most significant mistakes on Hinge is neglecting to optimize their profiles. Guys typically leave their profile as-is and make zero changes after they join the app.

You're shooting yourself in the foot if you ignore updating your profile. Basically, you're letting your profile collect dust and become obsolete.

How should you optimize your profile on Hinge? Any prompt or photo getting little to no likes or comments should be updated or replaced.

Hing is the best dating app to identify underperforming sections of your profile. The app literally tells you which prompts or photos to replace.

Aside from swapping out underperforming photos and prompts, update your profile at least once a month. Share recent adventures in a prompt, or add a picture of yourself doing something fun and interesting.

Keeping your profile fresh is a simple yet highly effective way to boost your results on Hinge. It also shows Hinge's algorithm that you're an engaged user and may reward you by showing your profile to more potential matches.

5. Using generic opening lines.

Most men fall into the trap of using genetic conversation starters that fail to capture a woman's interest and rarely start conversations. Generic messages lack personalization and fail to stand out in a woman's inbox, making it difficult to grab her attention.

Below is an example of a common low-effort opening message women receive on Hinge. The guy puts zero effort into his icebreaker, and the message is totally impersonal.

Note how the guy also compliments the woman's looks which is another blunder. Generic messages such as "hi" will almost always fail to capture a woman's attention.

Alternatively, taking the time to read a woman's prompts and referencing specific details or shared interests shows attentiveness and boosts the likelihood of a response. A comment about a woman's profile shows you're serious about meeting her and helps create connections.

Personalized and thoughtful icebreakers demonstrate a genuine interest in the woman you're sending a message. Taking the time to read and comment on a prompt increases the chances of starting a conversation on Hinge.

6. You compliment women in your icebreakers.

Nothing turns a woman off more than a guy who sends an icebreaker telling her how pretty she is. This approach is common, predictable, shallow, and almost always fails to start a conversation.

Appearance-based compliments are one of the most overused approaches and biggest mistakes on Hinge by men and rarely work. Your icebreaker will never stand out because many guys use the same tactic.

A better strategy is complimenting something non-physical in a woman's profile. You can compliment her taste in music, adventurous spirit, energy, or choice of activities.

Focus your compliment on something besides a woman's appearance. It's a more effective approach and increases the chances of getting a response to your message.

7. Your conversations are dull.

A lackluster conversation is a surefire way to kill attraction with women on Hinge. Being boring will fail to spark interest or create any meaningful connection.

A dull conversation can make a woman perceive you as uninteresting or unengaged. She may look elsewhere for more stimulating conversations.

An engaging conversation allows you to showcase your personality, creates excitement, and builds the foundation for a solid connection. Tips for a great conversation include:

• Ask open-ended questions but don't turn the conversation into a job interview.
• Keep the conversation light, positive, and friendly.
• Avoid excessive small talk: Dive deeper into each other's passions and interests.
• Show genuine curiosity about the woman and her lifestyle.
• Share your passions: Talk enthusiastically about your hobbies and interests to spark mutual excitement.
• Don't use one-word responses: Provide thoughtful and engaging replies that keep the conversation flowing.
• Focus on shared interests as these tend to create connections.
• Offer compliments sincerely: Express genuine appreciation for her qualities, but avoid excessive flattery.
• It's OK to flirt and be direct, but be respectful and not a creep.
• Sprinkle humor into the conversation.

Conversations take time to master because you'll never have the same conversation twice. A good conversation should have a natural ebb and flow and positive energy.

8. You ignore red flags.

On Hinge or any app, ignoring red flags is a mistake because these warning signs provide important information about a woman's behavior, values, or intentions. Paying attention to potential red flags can help avoid disappointment or even a toxic relationship.

Here are several red flags to look out for while using Hinge. Note, it's a two-way street, so hopefully none of these apply to you:

• Negativity or bitter tone in their profile.
• Inconsistent communication during a conversation - i.e., frequent delays in responding or sporadic messaging.
• Constantly talking about material possessions or displaying a materialistic mindset in a profile or conversation - i.e., "I enjoy the finer things in life."
• Showing a lack of interest in your conversation - not getting to know you or only asking minimal or superficial questions.
• Being overly secretive or guarded about their personal life, avoiding sharing basic information.
• Excessive use of photo filters - indicates a lack of authenticity.
• Sharing a long list of requirements or unrealistic expectations of potential partners.
• Being overly critical or judgmental towards your interests, hobbies, or choices.
• Referring to themselves as "high maintenance."
• An excessive focus on partying or drinking in photos or their profile.
• Talking about past traumas or emotional baggage in their profile.
• Showing signs of an inflated ego or constant need for attention - i.e., alongside men in all their photos.
• Using clichéd or generic phrases in their profile - doesn't provide genuine insight into their personality or interests.

Keep your eyes open for issues like the ones above. Avoiding red flags can help you avoid potential heartache, disappointment, or even harmful situations down the line.

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9. Failing to show interest in a woman's hobbies or passions.

One of men's biggest mistakes on Hinge is neglecting to ask about a woman's passions during a conversation. Failure to ask about her interests may give the impression that you aren't interested in getting to know her as an individual.

It's simple - asking and showing an interest in a woman's lifestyle will create an engaging conversation that she's likely to focus on. This doesn't mean asking about her hopes, dreams, and future.

Focus on what she enjoys doing in her free time. One of my favorite questions is "What are your favorite things to do on the weekend" or "What do you enjoy doing in your free time?"

Asking a question like the one above can peel the onion - opening up a woman's interests beyond her prompts and photos. Diving into a woman's interests allows you to foster a better connection and helps build stronger conversations.

10. Moving too slowly (or too quickly) for a date.

The list of mistakes for men on Hinge wouldn't be complete without including guys showing a lack of initiative or moving too quickly. Both of these are off-putting and cause women to lose interest in meeting.

Moving too slowly is a mistake because it can give women the impression of disinterest or lack of confidence, potentially leading them to lose interest. Women aren't on Hinge for chat buddies - they're there to meet someone. 

On the other hand, moving too quickly might be perceived as overly aggressive or desperate, making women uncomfortable and potentially sabotaging the chance for a meaningful connection. Never ask a woman out until chemistry and a connection is established.

There's no magical number of messages to ask a woman out on Hinge. It can be as quick as two messages to ten and beyond.

Look for friendly banter, some chemistry, and a natural ebb and flow during the conversation. Once a connection is established, women will give you their number without thinking twice.

Final Thoughts

The list of mistakes guys make on Hinge are common, yet easy to identify (and fix). Use this post as guide to identify blunders and act accordingly.

For more tips on Hinge, visit my one-stop resource for your profile and conversation starters; The Ultimate Hinge Resource Page.