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Science-backed ways to get the most matches possible on Tinder

How to get more swipe rights.

sdfsdfsd A scene from a Tinder ad.

IF SOMEONE’S EVER told you they don’t use Tinder because it’s too superficial, ask them how they decide to flirt with someone at a bar.

Whether you’re doing it on a smartphone screen or in real life, the strategy is strikingly similar: You check the person out — what they’re doing, what they’re wearing, and who they’re with.

But there’s a lot more science bound up in that momentary glance than you might think. There are a few main things we look for when we’re sizing up a potential date. And you can take advantage of them with these tips.

Don’t fuss too much over the ‘about me’ section — your photos matter more.

How you look matters more than what you write. Research suggests we can determine more about someone’s personality based on their appearance than on their answers to a set of predetermined questions, like those used by some online dating sites.

Plus, those answers might lead us astray — in experiments with people who said they valued specific characteristics in a potential mate, none of them proved important once it came down to meeting that person in real life.

Look more extroverted with a photo where you’re facing the camera head-on.

Whether we’re looking at a picture or chatting with someone at a speed date, there’s one trait most people can identify pretty easily and accurately: extroversion.

If you’re standing “energetically” in a photo, for example, meaning you’re not slouching and your feet are pointed towards the camera, viewers are more likely to pick up on your outgoing personality. Looking neat and composed (which viewers perceive as meaning you’re stylish and healthy) can earn you extroversion points too.

Smile big to show people you’re friendly.

shutterstock_85063117 Shutterstock / Djomas Shutterstock / Djomas / Djomas

It might seem obvious, but plenty of Tinder users forget the most important aspect of an attractive photo: your smile.

People tend to associate people who are smiling with being more outgoing, while they tend to link frowning or straight-faced people with introversion.

Include a few photos of yourself with friends to show off your social skills.

Tinder’s own researchers say a more obvious indicator of an outgoing personality is whether you’re alone or with others in your photos.

While most people say you should be alone in your main profile photo (no one wants to guess who you are in the three seconds they’ll probably spend looking at your photo), your other images might include friends or family.

If you’re alone in all of them, you might send a message that you prefer to spend your time solo. If you’re surrounded by friends, on the other hand, you signal to viewers that you’ve got an outgoing personality.

Stand with your arms behind your back to appear confident.

In experiments with people who looked at pictures of strangers and determined how confident they were, observers were more likely to rank those standing with their arms behind their backs as confident.

Conversely, viewers were more likely to say people standing with their arms hanging by their sides or crossed at their chest had lower self-esteem

India Social Dating Apps Associated Press Associated Press

Men, grow some facial hair if you’re looking for a short-term partner.

In experiments with straight women in which researchers asked them if they were more interested in a long-term relationship or a one-night stand, women who just wanted sex preferred the men with more masculine faces — chiseled cheekbones, a stronger jawline, and more facial hair, for example. Those who were looking for a lifetime partner, on the other hand, tended to prefer men with softer features.

Women, show off a pout.

The same study that found that straight women who just wanted sex preferred the men with more masculine faces found that straight men typically prefer women with features researchers identify as being more feminine — bigger eyes and fuller lips but a narrower chin and a less angular jaw. That finding held steady regardless of the kind of relationship the men were looking for.

Don’t sweat it if you don’t get a ton of matches in the first few minutes.

Research shows that Tinder users log into the app an average of 11 times a day! Plus, they spend between seven and nine minutes swiping left and right (either saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to a potential match) during a single session.

- Erin Brodwin

‘Fancy a ride?’: People tell us why and how they use Tinder >

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13 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mrs M
    Favourite Mrs M
    Report
    Dec 30th 2016, 5:26 PM

    Who cares 2017 will be more of the same s**it !

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bernard
    Favourite Bernard
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    Dec 30th 2016, 7:55 PM

    While most capital cities lay on free public transport on NYE until the small hours of the morning, Dublin’s bus service ceases at 10pm. There’s no incentive to go into town – no atmosphere, no events to speak of. And RTE contributes with their non-event, boring, cringe worthy schedule. Best gig? Stay at home with nearest & dearest and have BBC on in the background.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dessie Curley
    Favourite Dessie Curley
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    Dec 30th 2016, 4:12 PM

    Drink, auld Lang syne and fireworks I’d say

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
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    Dec 30th 2016, 5:44 PM

    @Dessie Curley: And bad kissing and worse sex…

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
    Favourite Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Dec 30th 2016, 4:47 PM

    I thought walking on cars were to perform at rush hour on the M50!!!!!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robin Tobin
    Favourite Robin Tobin
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    Dec 30th 2016, 6:53 PM

    The easy nice things in life will continue for the homeless, sick, hungry people. Same as it was last year nothing has changed but in 2017 I expect a general election called for by Finna fail if Sinn Fein get more popular. Happy new year.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catherine
    Favourite Catherine
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    Dec 31st 2016, 3:22 AM

    “Let’s ring in the new year with a poetry slam!” said no one ever.

    1
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