Avoid These Common Dating App Mistakes
Dating apps, like Say Allo, have experienced a massive influx of traffic during the pandemic. If you’re a regular on the app dating scene, expect to see a slew of polished profiles and fresh faces to pick from.
The good news? A larger dating pool greatly increases your chances of finding Mr. or Ms. Right.
The bad news? You’re going to face more competition, and you have to up your game if you want to stand out from the crowd. A big part of upping your game involves avoiding the common mistakes people who use dating apps repeatedly make.
Dating is difficult as it is, but the app culture has required us to learn a whole new set of maneuvers, tactics and etiquette, as we swift through the seemingly endless ocean of options.
For every perfect match made in the online dating world, there are countless unsuccessful stories.
Don’t be part of the larger statistic! If you are, it’s not too late to turn things around and try something else.
Before you put yourself out there in the dating scene, it will be well worth your time to familiarize yourself with the “don’ts” of dating on apps, so you can present yourself in the best possible light. And now that it’s the safest option to meet people in this time of quarantine, it’s even more important to get it right.
Whether you’re new or experienced with dating apps, you’ll benefit from polishing up your messaging skills and revamping your profile by keeping these five common dating app mistakes that are potentially detrimental to your dating life:
Too many or too little photos
Think of online dating as a bar (or café) scene simulated online. Initial connection is based on physical attraction between two people. For that to happen on dating apps, your matches need to know what you look like. That’s why it’s crucial to have just the right number and variety of photos to give them a sense of your overall appearance and sense of aesthetic—that often requires more than 3 photos. At the same time, you don’t want to give them too much too soon as it could make you appear vain or desperate—definitely not a good first impression.
Not writing a bio (or a poorly written bio)
Daters looking for a real relationship actually do read your profile. As important as your photos are, what you write in your bio humanizes you and makes you real. It lets potential matches get to know what you’re all about and if there are any early signs of compatibility. You might think that not writing anything on your profile makes you seem cool and mysterious, when in reality you look boring and offer no incentive for daters to swipe right. What you want to aim for is a short punch “elevator pitch” that describes you in a short, authentic and interesting way (adding humor helps too!) It’s a teaser that should pique their interest and make them want to know more.
Swiping too much and too fast
Swiping can be addictive. Dating apps are designed to feel like a game—we get a hit of dopamine every time we get a match and this makes us want to continue playing. When you fall into the swiping rabbit hole you could do it for hours without feeling a connection with any potential matches. To prevent this from happening, limit yourself to spending no more than 15 minutes per session and during that time, really put in the time and effort to read people’s profiles before making contact. It may take more time but in the long run it will help you find quality matches and free up time you could spend on other activities in your life.
Not choosing the right photos
Some of the profile photos on dating apps can make you laugh or cry (or both) because so many daters choose photos that are unflattering, inappropriate or inauthentic. When choosing photos for your profile, you want to avoid bathroom or gym selfies, offensive or poor-quality images and too many group shots. According to dating experts, the right assortment of images should include a solo shot that clearly shows your face, a full body photo and images that show snippets of your lifestyle and interests. This includes real-life things you actually enjoy like a sport or a creative hobby. Let them see the true you with the best quality and more flattering shots.
Wasting time on texting conversations that go nowhere
We’ve all encountered those matches who waste our time with pointless conversation that never goes anywhere. Prolonged small talk that doesn't go beyond “Hey, how is your day going?” and lacks momentum is a waste of your time. If you desire a relationship, you want to weed out the wannabe texting buddies who message non-stop without showing any intention of taking things to the next level, whether that means a phone call or a video date. Don’t let your fear of facing a shortage of matches make you stick with someone who goes back and forth forever. Cut your losses and say next—because with apps like Say Allo, you’ll find plenty of fish in the sea!
Ready to get back in the game and find your perfect partner?
Enjoy built-in video features, compatibility reports, icebreakers and more by downloading Say Allo at JustSayAllo.com for free. Say Allo is available online, and also for iOS and Android devices.
