How To Get More Matches On Bumble, How To Get More Likes On Hinge, Dating Apps (Men, Women), How To Get More Likes/Matches Without Paying

If you have spent any time on dating apps or have friends, colleagues or family members who use dating apps you should be familiar with one of the biggest frustrations: lack of likes and matches.

This is mostly an issue with men on dating apps due to gender ratios on most apps but it also has to do with photos, timing, writing skills, appearance, first impressions and more. All too often, frustration kicks in and many people resort to temporary, ineffective tactics like boosts or super likes with no luck.

Below are some tips to get more quality likes and matches on dating apps like Bumble and Hinge. There are no quick, easy hacks. These tips require patience, focused effort, lifestyle changes and more.

For tips on making a good Hinge profile, read this. For help with making a good Bumble profile, read this. These steps are crucial to signal intent, effort and conversation starters.

Related read: Photos That Will Get You Left-Swiped

 

Why Am I Not Getting Any Likes On Dating Apps: No Likes On Tinder, No Likes On Bumble

Chances are there are some self-sabotaging items on your dating profile whether it’s an unflattering photo, not enough photos, no full body photos, inconsistent looks on photos, lack of smiles, lazy bio / answers to prompts, no close-up photos or perhaps it’s a wrong app choice or lack of effort on your end (not sending out likes or not sending comments along with likes on apps like Hinge).

One should follow the follow the golden rule of dating apps: you are only as attractive as your worst photo. Don’t surround yourself with cheerleaders all the time (those that tell you want you want to hear and lack the ability to be brutally honest with you).

Get unbiased feedback on your appearance, grooming habits, wardrobe, facial expressions, app choice, dating app strategy and timing.

You could be on an app meant for younger folks, you could lack realistic expectations or you could not be receive likes because you have not been proactive with sending likes and messages.

Related read: New User Boosts

 

No Likes On Hinge: Why Am I Not Getting Likes On Hinge?

Hinge requires users to have better profiles, different photos than Tinder. The Hinge algorithm is very sensitive and if you don’t put in effort, you can easily get shown bad profiles.

In addition to the above items, there are several more items one should pay attention to in order to have better success on the app.

Using captions when appropriate (custom not cannned ones), using thoughtful prompts with details and sending comments with likes will increase your chances of getting a response by 3x.

Sending likes and comments at appropriate times, paying attention to photo order and making sure your worst photo is good enough is key (golden rule of dating apps: you are only as attractive as your worst photo).

Related read: Swiping Etiquette/Strategy On Dating Apps

 

How Many Likes On Hinge? How Many Likes Per Day On Hinge?

You have a finite number of likes on Hinge (8 to be exact) with likes resetting daily at 4am local time. It’s important to be realistic and have self-awareness when sending likes. Proper etiquette suggests sending comments with likes.

But beyond that, you have to be strategic when it comes to filters i.e. age, distance, religion, politics, education lifestyle). Sure you can swipe outside your league but the more you do so or for people with different values, the fewer likes you will get in return.

Related read: How Many Likes On Hinge Is Normal?

 

How To Stand Out, Get Attention On Dating Apps, How To Get Better Matches On Hinge, Bumble

There are a variety of ways you can improve your chances for success on dating apps and I have outlined a many ways below. Focusing merely on one or two different methods is not enough.

Dating apps are competitive and with endless profiles a few swipes away you need to put your best foot forward with your app choice, profile, bio, photos, prompts, answers and messages.

 

Why Am I Not Getting Any Matches On Tinder, Bumble & Hinge?

There is a lot of bad dating advice out there. Some people get bad advice from pop culture articles, crowdsourced answers from Reddit etc. but most sources of these advice columns are people who struggle with dating themselves.

Most folks are not familiar with some or most apps, do not constantly research apps on the market nor do they talk to folks who use apps regularly both those who struggle and those who have had much success.

Each app draws in different types of people – you can’t use the same photos, strategy on one app and expect to do well across other apps.

Additionally, some apps are more competitive than others. Bumble has better gender ratios than Bumble but guys can’t message first. Tinder has no height filter so you are able to avoid that hurdle in other dating apps like Hinge, Bumble.

On apps like Bumble, a guy needs a great profile and photos (more so than Hinge) because they are unable to send the first message to women.

On apps like Hinge, it’s all about strategy  (age difference, radius, timing, like vs comment approach). Knowing the optimal strategy on Hinge can make all the difference in who is shown to you (and when) vs being seen by more people you are interested in.

Related read: Superswipes, Super Likes & Roses

 

Online Dating Coaching For Men, Women

Help w/ swiping, timing, app choice, messages, filters, deal-breakers, paid features, screening profiles, reading people, ID'ing red flags/liars/time-wasters, date planning, & using dating apps more effectively & efficiently.

 

New Profiles, Front-loaded Matches, New User Boosts: Regression To The Mean

Most people get a good amount of matches when they start dating apps and after a few days, usually the number dies down. Most people can’t comprehend lead scoring when it comes to date leads.

Over time, fewer and fewer people will match with you because the app is looking to get your hooked early and then monetize your account down the road. Additionally, once people see your profile and provide feedback early on, there is a regression to the mean on how others perceive you.

When this happens you have to work on yourself offline and online to get more matches (photos, bios, prompts, filters, messages etc.). If you try to game the system and reset your account, you will likely get banned.

Dating apps are pretty sophisticated when it comes to catching people who try to create new accounts to get more matches (it’s more than just emails and phone numbers).

I am familiar with the ways apps can detect such behavior but I will not reveal it publicly to alert creeps, reward bad behavior nor people trying to game the system.

Don’t try it or else risk getting banned and self-sabotaging your dating life.

Related read: Dating App Hobbies & Interests To Attract Others

 

Average Number Of Likes, Matches On Hinge, Bumble. How Many Matches Is Normal?

The average number of matches will vary by user. Typically you will get the most number of likes and matches within the first 2-3 weeks and then slowly or abruptly tail off.

If you are attractive, a good height, have realistic expectations and are in a good area and appropriate age range, you should expect 3-5 likes/matches a day after the initial surge.

Over time, you likes will likely come from new users on the platform as existing users will have already seen your profile.

Don’t worry so much about the volume early on, focus on the quality of profiles, conversations and dates. Likes/matches mean nothing.

The biggest factor in your dating profile that will determine where a person looks at your entire profile or not is your first photo, main photo. If it’s not good, people will skip your profile. Make sure to avoid these photos in your profiles and particularly in your main profile photo on dating apps.

 

Dating Profile Tips: Appearance, Lifestyle & Emotional Availability

Before you start to analyze ways to improve your profile, you have to look at yourself and see if you are ready, is online dating for you and ways to improve your yourself offline.

Better photos, bios, app choices and messages certainly can help but offline efforts have more of an impact on your dating life than all those items listed. Only then can you learn how to get more matches on dating apps once you lead a fulfilling life where you are happy on your own and ready to share it with others vs seeking others for validation, love etc.

Everyone can stand to improve their appearance whether is exercising, eating better, updating their bland, outdated, juvenile wardrobe, optimizing colors and styles to complement your skin tone, hair and body type, getting a new haircut or utilizing proper grooming techniques.

As people get older, some get too comfortable with their job, lifestyle, environment etc. and don’t make an effort to dress up, look good, or get fit.

Online dating is competitive, there will always be someone younger, more attractive, more fit, better dressed etc. It is crucial to be ambitious, always work on yourself to put the best you possible.

Given the competition and readily available options comes with some warning. Online dating is rather anonymous in the sense that people choose to divulge only part of their lives. Using dating apps does not give a complete glimpse into someone’s life, character, intent and ambitions.

Ability to read people, using good judgement, asking questions, being patient, not making excuses and having thick skin are all skills needed to be successful online.

Being physically ready is just one part of the equation when it comes to getting ready to use a dating app. Being emotionally available is also an important aspect to dating. That means being in a good place to put baggage behind you, not being defensive, and not talking bad about exes.

No one is ever in a perfect place but everyone should aim to work on themselves continually. Being recently divorced may hinder ability to be vulnerable or willing to take chances. Being hurt from past relationships might require additional time to heal.

Years of struggle and frustration with dating might make you too jaded to give people a chance and a clean slate.

Related read: Dating App Filters – What Filters Do People Use Most?

 

Dating App Choice, Comparison: Bumble vs Hinge vs Coffee Meets Bagel vs Match.com

Not all apps are the same. Apps favor some people more than others depending on age, location, gender, ethnicity, height etc.

Using the app that your friend recommends or has the most users is not always the recommended choice of action. Understanding who you are and what you are looking to attract are important to figure out which app is best for you.

Apps like Tinder are known for more casual hookups but in some locations it is the only option in town. Apps like Hinge and Bumble are popular for young professionals but may not be the best option for those in remote suburbs and rural areas.

Apps like CMB have a greater Southeast Asian profiles, while Okcupid is geared toward more alternative lifestyles, quirky personalities etc.

 

Age, Location, Filters, Preferences, Deal-Breakers & Swiping Outside Your League

Even if you manage to select the best app for your lifestyle and demographics, you can still have a hard time getting matches.

Using too narrow filters can limit the number of profiles you seek. Having an unrealistic view about whom you can attract relative to your age is also a common mistake people make. Focusing on people too young for you is something I see often on people’s profiles all the time.

Dating apps provide an array of preferences, filters and deal-breakers to help you narrow your search but it is a know fact people are more picky on dating apps than they would be offline. With that in mind, it is important to be honest with yourself when deciding what is a preference vs what is a deal-breaker for you.

Adding 1 year to the top end of your desired age range or subtracting 1 inch from your minimum height requirement or lowering the number of advanced degrees someone can make your life much easier if you let it.

While I don’t believe in swiping outside your league is a rigid or perfect rule it should serve as a guideline for navigating dating apps.

If guys focus on girls who are only 1 inch below their height and above, they might be in for a rude awakening. Similarly, if guys in their 50s only target women in their 20s and 30s, dating apps might be a significant challenge for such men.

Related read: Lying About Age On Dating Apps

 

Good Dating Photos – How To Attract More Matches On Dating Apps (Hinge, Bumble, Tinder)

Dating photos are arguably the biggest factor in online dating success and experience (aside from offline factors). Many people are too shy or embarrassed to admit they are on dating apps and because of that rarely seek out help on how to improve their profiles and photos.

Professional dating photos are not needed for success (I myself would argue they are likely to hurt you because most photographers butcher the photos making them seem fake, retouched and deceiving).

Good solid photos with smiles, comfort in your own skin, approachability and uniqueness are the simple ways you can improve your photos.

Using too few photos, too many photos, lack of smiles, using dark, distant, blurry photos, relying on outdated photos that no longer reflect your appearance or cropping people out are all obvious red flags when it comes to dating apps.

Bumble suggests using at least 3 photos, I recommend using 4-6 photos (remember, you are only as attractive as your worst photo, choose wisely).

Related read: Worst Dating Profile Photos

 

How To Get More Likes/Matches On Hinge, How To Do Better On Hinge

Hinge First Line, Opening Message

Dating Profile Critique, Review Services

App Choice, Photo Critique (Order, Captions), Bios, Prompts; Wardrobe, Hobbies, Grooming  Recommendations, Body Language, Facial Expressions, Lifestyle Choices (Men & Women).

How To Get More Likes/Matches On Bumble, How To Do Better On Bumble

Bumble is slightly more visual, superficial than apps like Hinge. It’s hard to get matches on Bumble with an average profile. Getting more likes on Bumble is a matter of patience, self-awareness, good photos, favorable location, profile details, realistic expectations, swiping etiquette, filters and timing.

Bumble doesn’t have as good a selection of prompts like Hinge does and Bumble does not allow men to message first so men need to have great photos, bio and prompts to stand out. It also helps to make sure your first photo is great as some women will not scroll past a first photo.

To increase the number of matches on Bumble, make sure you have realistic expectations with age, location, and lifestyle. Just because you are willing to date someone 50 miles from you doesn’t mean others are.

Similarly, just because you think you can date someone young doesn’t mean they want to date you. Having good self-awareness and understanding your audience will go a long way. There are always exceptions to the rules but with dating apps, you have to play the odds.

Read: Should You Super Swipe On Bumble

Bumble Photos Tips

Bumble Photos Tips

 

Dating App Tips: Photo Captions Signal Context, Detail + Effort

So many people ignore this and it’s a shame. Laziness or lack of creativity – doesn’t matter. Captions should be used to explain where you are, what you are doing, who you are with etc.

You can also add in what you miss about that moment, how you were feeling, or add some self-deprecating humor twist. Helping others out with a caption goes a long way (assuming your photos are good).

 

Online Dating Advice: Dating Profile Bios, Questions, Prompts & Answers

Bios, prompts and answers to prompts usually are ignored by most people and I see why – photos are the biggest indicators of success online.

This doesn’t mean you can let this part of your profile go ignored. Incomplete bios, generic/joke prompts, lazy answers are used by people to measure someone’s maturity, intent, ambition and character.

If you don’t think so, then try it yourself. You may be able to get likes with joke answers, and you might be able to get a few matches and hookups out of them too, but if you want someone of quality and substance you will need to put in the effort, show sincerity and be honest about what you want.

For more detailed examples of what you should include in your dating profile bio, check out this post I wrote: https://eddie-hernandez.com/how-to-write-an-online-dating-profile/

 

Likes vs Messages On Dating Sites: Is It Better To Like Or Comment on Hinge?

You can tell a lot about a person and the way they initiate the first contact with you. Likes are quick and easy. They are also lazy and effortless. Always go with a message first.

I often hear people say likes get as much success or more than messages – I do not doubt this, but I will counter it by saying quantity over quality and these anecdotal observations assume you are a good writer. Most people are awful at writing thoughtful, creative, funny, interesting messages.

Even if you are a good writer, taking too long to respond or not being efficient in your messages to the point that you have to go back and forth too many times can leave people annoyed and impatient.

Communication skills are a highly underrated thing when it comes to dating apps. A lack of in-person feels or even audio communication leaves a lot of ambiguity through digital communication channels.

 

Biographical Data: Hinge Profiles, Bumble Bios

Some things about your lifestyle will influence your ability to get more matches – location, education, career, financial stability and tone in your bio and prompts will all impact your ability to get matches. Sounding lazy, using lists, low-effort and low-energy profiles are undesirable.

Communicating that you don’t have roommates, like to travel, eat out at nice places once in a while all communicate financial stability.

 

How To Get More Matches On Bumble, Hinge vs Getting More Matches On Tinder

Hinge and Bumble are very different apps than Tinder. Different audience, different expectations, different lifestyles and different intentions.

What worked for you on Tinder in your 20s will likely not work for you on Hinge or Bumble in your 30s. Those self-absorbed, cliche, modeling or narcissistic photos are more effective on superficial and naive/gullible and thirsty types on Tinder.

Exercise, eat well, dress maturely, groom, practice good hygiene, get better/new/more hobbies, practice conversation skills and more. Hire me for more specific/curated advice.

 

Why Am I Not Getting Matches On Hinge: Not Getting Matches On Hinge Any More

I will not get into the details of this strategy as it will ruin it for everyone else but let’s just say it’s important to have strict radius and age ranges on Hinge. Having them too wide will more likely invite profiles that don’t fit your criteria.

Be honest with yourself and don’t go chasing people out of your league because the more you do that, the more you will get left-swiped and the less you will be shown to people you are interested in.

Also make sure you optimize your profile for photos, answers to prompts and fill out your bio. Lack of info or one-word answers suggest laziness or not that serious about dating.

Similarly, using just any photos can hurt you, as people tend to judge others by their worst photo. With Hinge, there is more strategy involved to getting more likes and matches than with Bumble.

 

Bumble Profile Tips!

Learn how to make a good Bumble profile, what prompts to use, what to put in a profile (photos, interests, bios & more). Addit'l help w/ boosts, compliments, messages, best photo/photo order, Bumble premium & more.

 

Should I Pay For Boosts On Bumble, Hinge Or Tinder To Get More Matches? 

Boosts can artificially increase match rate by showing you to more people, but often these are people outside your age range or interest levels.

They are also likely to be bots that like every profile. Boosts do not make you more attractive nor more interesting. They are a quick, lazy hack that only helps attractive people and those with great profiles get more likes, matches.

 

How To Get More Likes, Matches On Bumble Without Paying

Get good photos, be patient, make a good Bumble profile, smile, possess the lifestyle attributes others seek in your area, age range. Bumble is more superficial than Hinge as users can’t send comments with likes so they have to rely on their looks, photos and prompts.

Avoid sounding cliche, don’t ignore lifestyle choices, don’t swipe outside your league exclusively i.e. age, distance, education, height, religion, politics.

How To Get More Likes/Matches On Hinge Without Paying

A match on Hinge occurs when two people mutually like each other’s profiles. Users who send comments along with likes typically see a higher match rate than those that don’t send comments with likes.

It’s not enough just to send likes on Hinge. You have to be self-aware, be interesting, dress well, smile, be unique and fill out your profile with details (avoid cliches).

 

Do Guys Get A Lot Of Matches On Bumble?

Some do, most don’t. Women are selective than men (women don’t swipe right as often as men). Furthermore, the most in demand women get bombarded by likes that they tend to focus on fewer profiles and stop browsing, liking profiles sooner than men.

 

Woman Getting No Matches On Bumble? Bumble No Likes After First Day

Is your profile hidden aka Incognito? Are you swiping right enough? Have you given apps enough time i.e. several weeks? Are you too picky?

Are your photos consistent? Do you have clear photos? Do you have full body photos? Did you fill out your prompts? Did you add 4-6 photos? Are you smiling?

 

Hinge Matches Getting Worse, How To Beat The Hinge Algorithm

Read this and then read this.

 

Does Paying For Bumble Premium Get You More Matches? 

Yes, but likely less quality matches from people further away, outside your league, narcissists, travelers, influencers etc. Best to focus on optimizing your profile to get better, quality matches.

More on paying for apps here.

 

How To Get More Matches On Bumble As A Guy, Average Bumble Matches For A Guy

Smile, dress more maturely, swipe more effectively, realistically (not exclusively outside your league, politics, religion, race, or far away places or distant age ranges).

Given gender ratios, men have fewer matches on Bumble than women meaning not all matches will yield a first message let along a conversation. Be unique, show women why you would be a fun date.

Some guys swipe right on most/all profiles so they can accumulate likes quickly. Matches mean nothing without sustained effort, interest.

 

How To Get More Swipes On Bumble For Free, How Do You Get More Swipes On Dating Apps

Swipe left more often. The more you swipe right, the fewer swipes you will have.

 

How Can I Get Better Looking Matches?

Super easy – be more attractive. It takes two to match. If you don’t find your matches attractive, that is your own damn fault. You control who is able to match with you.

 

Tinder Tips For Asian Men

Typically, focusing your time on Asian women will allow them to see you sooner as they are statistically more likely to like you back assuming you have a decent profile, photos and are nearby them and close in age etc. In some cases you may have to get off Tinder and use another app for better results.

Dating Coach Services - Men & Women

First date ideas, wardrobe, places to meet singles, body language, conversation/social skills, grooming, hygiene, hobbies, lifestyle choices, reducing biases, weeding out time-wasters and more. As seen in the NYT, Bumble.

About Eddie Hernandez

Eddie is a dating coach for men & women in San Francisco (clients in NYC, LA, Chicago, & beyond ), as seen in the NYT & Bumble). He helps w/ profiles, photos, wardrobe, messaging, date ideas, red flags, lifestyle choices, hobbies, grooming/hygiene, communication, social skills & offline efforts.