If the thought of swiping on another weirdo on Hinge, Tinder, Bumble, or any other obscure dating app makes you want to throw your phone into the void, you’re not alone. No, really. Dating apps have been on the decline for quite some time now, and it’s mostly because people are not seeing results on dating apps — or only meeting people they don’t really like.
And while I can’t fix the apps for you (if I could, I wouldn’t have deleted Hinge off of my phone for the 100th time two months ago), I can help you sort through the overwhelming sea of potential matches you’re swiping through every day.
I’m sure you already have a system in place for making sure your matches aren’t serial killers, or worse — a man with a mic. But assessing if someone is a good potential match begins before any conversation you have. In fact, it happens before you even swipe right. Just like with someone’s social media presence, a person’s dating app profile can tell you a lot about who they are as a person.
So, to make it incredibly easy, here’s a breakdown of red flags and green flags for when you’re vetting someone on the apps.
Red Flags To Watch For On Dating Apps
Total Debbie downer in bio
Listen, there’s nothing wrong with expressing negative feelings about something. I myself am a master complainer. But if you use the limited space you get in a dating app bio to talk about how much you hate something or what you’re not looking for, I’m just going to assume you’re miserable and suck to be around.
Nothing original
“The Office,” “pineapples on pizza,” “someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously,” “pizza and tacos,” MAKE IT STOP. I know we all like those things, so can we stop talking about them??
What they’re looking for
Anyone who says they’re looking for a “short-term relationship” but is “open to a longterm relationship” is looking for a booty call. If that’s your thing, cool. But if you want to find a partner on the apps, I suggest you swipe left.
Holding a fish
Just no. I’m sorry, but no.
Only photos with other people
They’re ugly, and they want you to think you’re talking to their much hotter friend.
Photos that make you suspicious of their relationship status
If you’re side-eyeing certain pictures they posted because you can’t tell if the picture is “friendly” or “fucky,” you’ve already lost. Left.
Green Flags To Watch For On Dating Apps
Some indication of what dates they like
This is a dating app, after all, and knowing that a potential match likes going on dates is a good sign that you’ll actually go on a date. See how that works?
They say something new
If you see some semblance of originality in either their bio or any prompts they’ve answered, not only is it a sign that they thought about their responses and cared enough to be different, but it’s just so refreshing!
Wide range of selfies and full-body photos
If someone gives you multiple chances to see them at every angle, they’re super confident in their appearance, and that’s as green of a flag as it can get.
Photos showing them doing activities
Sure, selfies of your cute smile are great, but if they also show pictures of them doing stuff they enjoy (aside from holding fish, of course), it shows that they have hobbies and things they care about.
Choosing prompts to talk about their likes
If they make good use of whatever prompts the dating app offers, this is a great sign. One, it shows that they have reading comprehension, which is always a plus, and two, you can learn more about their personality and if it meshes with yours. Happy swiping!
