25 Great Ways to Make Your Dating Profile Stand Out

“Context gives everything value,” Resnick says. “If you love music, what are we talking about? AC/DC, Mozart or Insane Clown Posse?”

Alley adds that if you’re looking for a local potential partner, making references to specific restaurants or your favorite cocktail at a certain speakeasy in your neighborhood can build connections and help get the conversation started on a first date.

9. Lighten up

Humor is another way to add personality to a profile.

In fact, Alley calls humor “paramount in a profile” because it makes you seem more approachable and fun to be around. “Humility and nerdiness are really celebrated on dating apps,” he adds. For example, instead of writing that you’re a yoga teacher, Alley suggests a funny reframe such as, “I’m going to yoga-teaching training in Costa Rica, but I still fall flat on my face every time I try to do the crow pose.”

Keep your profile fresh by updating your hobbies and interests seasonally.

Jared Oriel

10. Update your preferences

Once you’re done writing your profile, you may not want to deal with it again. But it’s worth a revisit to make sure your information aligns with the moment.

The online dating platform Match suggests updating your hobbies and interests seasonally, such as changing your statement about liking to hike in the fall to cross-country skiing in the winter, to keep your profile fresh. That goes for photographs, too.

11. Don’t share details about previous relationships

Many 50-plus online daters write about getting divorced or recently losing a spouse, Resnick says, but “the second you start talking about that last relationship is when people think you’re not ready for a new one.” All you need to do is choose your “relationship status” as widowed or divorced, and that’s enough.

12. Don’t approach it like a résumé

Your profile isn’t a résumé, so you don’t need to list all of your degrees and jobs.

“This isn’t … your full life story about why you’re a good partner,” Resnick says. “People are writing the wrong profile — they’re writing a sales pitch, and no one wants to be pitched when it comes to love.”

13. Show interest in getting to know potential partners

While it might seem like your profile is all about you, don’t just talk about yourself. Potential partners are more attracted to people who show an interest in getting to know them because it indicates they’ll be supported in a relationship, according to research about dating websites published in 2024 in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

However, according to that same study, few online dating profiles do it; most contain statements about wanting someone to show interest in them, not the other way around.

“A good balance of three things — me, you and us — really makes a good profile,” says Alley. “Get across [the message that] here is me, and here is what I’m looking for in someone and what I’m looking to do together. Think about your profile from the perspective of the person reading it.”

14. Avoid negativity

Don’t like loud chewers? Not interested in anyone who doesn’t love to bicycle? We all have dislikes, but your dating profile isn’t the place to air them. Focus on what you want in a partner and a relationship, not what you don’t want, Diamond says. For example, instead of writing that you’re not interested in people who smoke, say you seek an active, outdoors person.

You can also use app filters to weed out people with certain characteristics you want to avoid, such as the words “conservative” or “liberal,” Alley notes.

For a great profile photo, smile and don’t put your hands in your pockets, because it causes slouching. Good lighting is also key.

Jared Oriel

15. Focus on your primary profile photo

A photograph is usually the first thing people see about you on dating platforms, so visual appeal is crucial. Resnick says your primary profile photograph should be of you, solo, from the waist up. It should provide a natural, accurate portrayal of how you look today. The photo can be one or two years old if you haven’t had any major physical changes since then.

Other tips: Smile. Don’t cross your arms, which is a closed-off body posture. Don’t put your hands in your pockets, because it causes slouching. Good lighting is also key to good photographs and videos. Camera flashes emphasize lines and wash out a complexion, so Resnick recommends having your photos taken outdoors in late afternoon or early evening, for the flattering natural light. “Overcast days are great, because it’s like you have a natural diffuser built in,” he says.

16. Tone is important

Adopt a friendly, conversational tone throughout your profile.

You want to strike a tone that suits your personality, Resnick says, but try not to sound demanding. Small word choices can make a big difference. For example, if you write “‘I’m looking for someone who believes in open communication in a relationship,’ versus ‘I’m looking for someone who can communicate his feelings,’” Resnick describes. “The first sentence is more open, while the second one sounds harsher.”

17. Wait until you’re feeling good

Write your profile when you feel happy, which in turn will reflect in your writing.

If you write your profile when you’re sad, “your insecurities, your unhappiness, your desperation will all bleed through,” Resnick says.

18. Go with a profile vibe that fits the platform

Many people use multiple dating apps and sites, but their profile might not work for all of them. While apps like Bumble, Hinge and Coffee Meets Bagel limit the length of a profile, web-based dating platforms like Match, OkCupid and OurTime typically allow longer ones, Diamond says. Bumble, for example, allows up to 300 characters for a bio; Tinder allows 500. Apart from what’s allowed, also consider what looks good on various digital platforms. For apps, Resnick recommends bios of 200-250 characters; otherwise, it looks too long on a mobile screen. For profiles on websites, he recommends 125-220 words but no more than 300.

19. Keep sex private

An annual Match report found that singles are open to trying new sexual experiences, and about one-third are comfortable having sex within the first three dates. Still, sex can be a controversial topic, even for mature adults, so your profile might not be the place to talk about it.

“Mentions of sex, cuddling or anything physical [in a bio] can definitely scare some people off,” and they may think that’s all you’re interested in, Alley says. He suggests waiting to talk to someone about sex until after meeting in person, so you can gauge the vibe.

People love to see that you have a pet and what their name is — it's also a great conversation starter.

Jared Oriel

20. Pet photos and action shots are popular

Photos of people with pets do well, Alley says. They also may send an important message to potential partners that your dog is part of a package deal.

“What’s attractive about it is the bond between you and your pet,” Alley says. If you include a pet photo, include your pet’s name in your profile, because it can be a conversation starter. But make sure the pet in a photo is yours — if not, “it’s a conversation killer,” he warns.

Action pictures are also highly rated. If you say you like to kayak, post a photograph of you kayaking in a beautiful setting. If you love to bake, share a photo of yourself with your latest creation.

21. Make sure you're using the best platform for you

Some platforms let you check a box as to whether you want to be monogamous or not, Diamond says. Certain dating apps, such as Feeld and Tinder, are known as places where people want to have a fling or explore various relationships, she adds. Match’s website includes information about how to start a conversation about physical intimacy or consent, and how to protect against sexually transmitted infections. So be sure to use an app that best fits your goal, whether it's a hook-up, long-term relationship or something else.

22. Don’t limit yourself

When thinking about what you want in a partner, Resnick says avoid focusing on little things that could narrow your options. The wider the net, the more possibilities.

For example, when referring to potential partners in your profile, don’t say you only like redheaded men over 6 feet tall. Leave some room to find someone who might not have every quality you want but still is a good fit.

“The reality of dating is everyone is a Venn diagram with overlapping likes or interests,” Resnick says. “It’s about compatibility.”

23. Be choosy with the number and type of secondary photos

Different dating platforms let you post different numbers of photographs. Resnick recommends a total of four to six photographs accompanying your profile, including your primary photo.

Your photos should include a mix of ones that highlight you and show the interests and activities mentioned in your profile. Diamond says the more cohesive your bio and photographs are, the better, because they build trust.

Most of your profile photos should be solo shots, but one or two can be group photos, according to experts. But even in group photos, you should be the focus, Alley says.

24. Avoid selfies

Most selfies aren’t well done, so only use one if you have no other good photos.

Alley has a better idea: Use your phone’s camera timer, or ask a friend, family member or colleague to take a photo of you using a smartphone’s portrait mode.

25. Be cautious

Always exercise caution when interacting with people you don’t know online. Don’t share personal or financial information, and look for red flags that could indicate the person’s profile is fake (see video below).

Alley suggests not sharing your full name until you meet in person. He also says to be aware of people who live far away or work on an offshore oil-drilling rig or overseas.

Educate yourself about romance scams and how to avoid them. Some dating platforms, such as Hinge and Match, offer safety information online.