Bad Openers, Worst First Message Ideas On Dating Apps: Conversation Starters To Avoid On Hinge, Tinder, Bumble. Openers On Dating Sites Tips, Examples
If you have spent enough time on dating apps, you will notice dating apps can sometimes feel like a numbers game. In fact, some guys actually swipe right on every profile without even looking.
Sending out likes, attachments comments and messages and A/B testing lines are ways people try to increase match counts on dating apps. Strategizing when likes and messages are sent, resetting profiles and paying to see who likes you are tactics people employ to get an edge over the competition.
Most people spend most of their efforts and rightfully so. Photos are the #1 thing people notice when they come across a profile.
The next thing that people notice are biographical information (location, height, age, religion, politics etc. – see dating profile templates for full set of questions.) These items are typically what people use in their filters when finding profiles on dating apps.
Related read: Worst Dating Profile Photos

What Should You Not Say On A Dating Site (Hinge, Bumble), Tinder First Messages, Dating Profile Cliche, Worst Dating App Messages, Bad Tinder Messages, Bad Online Dating Messages
Next comes any prompts and answer to prompts. Some prompts are better than others but even then most people do a poor job of answering them with any detail, insight.
These times can make or break a person’s chances to solidify a match. If you manage to get by all those hurdles you are rewarded with a match – congratulations!
View additional online dating app messaging etiquette here!
Matches are a key metric in assessing your online dating efforts and should be acknowledged. There are many people who go on dating apps and never get a match.
Some do get a match but only to find out it’s from a spammer from overseas, a military catfisher, an Instagram model or someone with an inanimate object as their profile photo.
These things happen enough on all dating apps (some more than others) but the key thing to realize is that matches don’t really mean anything.
There are a number of people who swipe right without looking at their phones. There are other people who swipe right based on the main profile photo only or just the photos only to review the profile in more detail after a match is established.
Then there are others who wait to see what kind of first message is sent by a match before they start to consider any time on said person.
Related read: Why Hi, Hey, How Are You, How Is Your Day Are Awful First Lines
Matching on dating apps means nothing until you start to exchange several messages back and forth – don’t get your hopes up on the match even alone.
First Message On Dating Apps, Openers (Hinge, Bumble), First Message Online Dating Examples, Dating Site Introduction Message
I am not trying to discourage you from getting matches on dating apps but rather set realistic expectations.
You don’t need a corny, cliche, over-the-top, flirty comment to get attention (those may work on apps like Tinder that are more for entertainment and those looking for hookups) but you should pay attention to your match’s photos, bio, photo captions, prompts, answers to prompts, facial expressions, attire, photo backgrounds, locations and environments when trying to come up with something interesting, unique.
Related read: Questions To Ask Her, Him On Hinge, Bumble
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Hinge Opening Lines, First Message On Hinge, Hinge Openers, Cliche Hinge Lines, Cliche Hinge Messages, Hinge Intros, Hinge Pick Up Lines
Hinge gives users the ability to send a like or send a comment along with a like. Always send a comment, ideally a question along with a comment or opinion. Keep it concise, don’t be vague nor cliche.
Read: Hinge Invited You To Start The Chat, Etiquette
Bumble Opening Lines, First Message On Bumble, Bumble Openers, Cliche Bumble Lines, Cliche Bumble Messages, Bumble Intros
Just because you are shy or list your Instagram on your dating profile, doesn’t mean you should just send a simple hi, or hey.
Yes, some guys won’t respond to you but that doesn’t mean you should be lazy. Put in effort, fill out your profile or else don’t expect replies from guys on Bumble
Read: Best Opening Lines On Bumble
Worst Dating App Message Mistakes Men Make, Women Make (What Not To Say On Dating Apps), Worst Opening Lines
Many women on dating apps get bombarded with likes and messages to the point where it can be overwhelming, frustrating and sometimes burdensome.
Seeing the same repetitive pickup lines and/or low-effort, lazy introductory messages is a great way to go unnoticed.
Nothing is more anti-climatic than seeing someone post something from r/Tinder on Reddit or from a PUA site online. Seeing these messages dozens and possibly hundreds of times each day is exhausting.
For this reason, I have decided to list out the worst introductory messages, first messages, pickup lines and conversation starters on dating apps for people who are focused on meeting people of substance with relationship focused possibilities.
Hi, Hey & What’s Up (Arguably the laziest, most unoriginal message of all).
How Was Your Day, Week, Weekend, Holiday?
How Are You?
Hi Beautiful.
What Are You Doing? What Are You Up To?
How’s It Going?
Why Did You Swipe Right On Me?
What Are You Looking For?
(This can be hit or miss, you might get people who will lie, you might come off as being defensive or you might come off as being too abrupt.
There are plenty of ways to ask this directly or ask this after a few messages have been exchanged and you like the person but asking right off the bat can come off as transactional).
How Long Have You Been On This App?
You Have Beautiful Eyes / Face.
(Insert Snapchat, Instagram, WhatsApp info)
(Insert hand wave emoji)
Commenting on or asking a question about the most obvious thing on a profile that everyone else is asking about.
Many of these lines are mere salutations. Others are so vague they can appear lazy. Others suggest or imply a sense of familiarity which is premature. Matching is the first step towards mutual attraction, but it is not a definite indicator.
Rather than ask open-ended questions, use defensive language, or begin a conversation without using the person’s name, take a pause review the profile and make a connection, provide a counterpoint, add context to your profile, take a guess at the context of their photos.
Take a chance, be vulnerable.
Coming up with good intro lines are only half of the equation, if your profile lacks conversation starters, depth or interesting anecdotes, don’t expect opening lines to bail you out.
If someone unmatches you immediately after a first message, assume you are not creative enough or your profile needs help.
If you do get a response using one of these lines, be prepared for the person to match your lack on enthusiasm, effort and creativity.
I personally would ignore lazy and low-effort people and recommend clients not giving into or making excuses for such people. It’s not ghosting if you unmatch after you receive a bad opening line.
Do you really want to waste your time on someone that is susceptible to such lazy efforts and cliche pickup lines?
What Is A Good Intro For A Dating Site? Dating App Openers, Examples, Ideas (Hinge, Bumble), Good First Message On Dating Apps, Online Dating First Message, Online Dating Opening Message
Lines that show you read the profile are best. If there is nothing in user’s profile, bio, why are you wasting time on it? If you can’t afford to be picky, improve your profile and photos so you can be more selective.
https://eddie-hernandez.com/dating-app-conversation-starters/
No Luck With Online Dating: Why Do I Never Get Responses On Dating Apps? No Likes, Matches On Dating Apps (Hinge, Bumble), Opening Lines For Dating Websites, Dating App Intro, Bad Online Dating Messages
Unfortunately, not all people on dating apps are looking to meet you. This is true even of people that match with you. Matches mean nothing. Some people swipe right on everyone. Sometimes people change their minds.
Sometimes people focus on other matches, people. Even if your first message if good, doesn’t mean people can see it right away or doesn’t mean they have heard the same line dozens of times. Other times people get frustrated and abandon apps or get overwhelmed.
Focus on being unique. Learn what the best days and times are to send likes, comments and messages after matches. Add more conversation starters to your dating profile, photos and prompts. Google yourself to make sure there is nothing unflattering about you online.
Related read: No likes, no matches on dating apps
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Additional Reading: Dating App First Message, Opener Tips, Examples, What Not To Say On Dating Sites, Hinge Openers, Bumble Opening Line Examples, What To Say On Dating Apps, Online Dating Rules
Why Hi, Hey & What’s Up Are The Worst Lines To Use On Dating Apps
How To Keep The Conversation Going On Dating Apps – How To Carry Conversations On Hinge, Bumble
How To Look More Attractive In Your Dating Photos – How To Look Attractive In Dating Profiles
Bumble First Message Openers – What To Say On Bumble, Good Bumble Openers
Good Hinge Openers – Good Hinge Openings Linese
Good Opening Lines To Use On Tinder – First Messages On Tinder
Should You Look Away From The Camera In Your Photos – Looking Away In Pictures
Online Dating Red Flags – Dating App Red Flags
How To Take Dating Profile Photos At Home, By Yourself – Dating Profile Photos Tips
Unmatching Etiquette, Leaving Conversations & Ghosting – Dealing With Rejection On Dating Apps
What Do Your Dating Profile Photos Signal? – First Impressions On Dating Apps
Questions To Ask Him, Her On Dating Apps – What Questions To Ask On Bumble, Hinge
Worst Dating Profile Photos On Hinge, Bumble – Worst Photos For Bumble, Hinge
Online Dating FAQ’s – Dating App FAQ’s, Online Dating 101
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 has insight into algorithms as well as a keen understanding of dating cultures across locations, demographics, and orientations.
He helps with profiles, photos, wardrobe, messaging, date planning, red flags, lifestyle choices, hobbies, grooming/hygiene, communication, social skills & where to meet singles. Whether you are a POC, short guy, introvert, engineer, or just struggling with dating, he can help you be efficient, knowledgeable and effective in your dating life.