Being aware of Tinder etiquette is important when using the online dating platform. While Tinder has been around for a while now, it’s important to bear new trends and developments in mind in order to avoid any boring or awkward online dates. Below, we’ve put together a quick guide covering Tinder etiquette today.
Tinder Etiquette Today
1. Be upfront about what you want
You most likely know several couples that first met on Tinder. In fact, you probably even know some people who’re married that first met on the app. Yes, people looking for long-term relationships use Tinder too.
So if you’re vague about what you want, you’re going to end up wasting a lot of your time and a lot of other people’s time. Many couples who are looking for a threesome or something more long-term like a triad make a profile as a woman looking for other women.
So there are a lot of different dynamics happening on the app than you may be aware of. This leads to our next point...
2. Read people’s bios
Is there anything more frustrating than taking the time to write a bio that details what you want clearly only to then get a message asking if you’re up for the exact opposite?
If someone’s bio says that they’re only interested in long-term relationships and you hit them up with a request for a booty call, you deserve an immediate block. You’re wasting both of your time.
3. Also, write a bio
And, no, writing “just ask me” does not count as writing a bio. You’re doing both yourself and your match a disservice when you do that. Maybe they would’ve wanted to find something in your bio that they could start a conversation with?
When it comes to Tinder etiquette, a bio is the best way to know if you’re at least on the same page with the kind of relationship that you’re looking for.
4. Save the snark
It’s become a trend for men to include in their bio their height followed by the words “because for some reason it matters”. It doesn’t matter to every woman but for some, it does. Shaming your potential match right away for wondering isn’t exactly the best foot to be starting on. If you want to say your height, say it. If you don’t, don’t say it.
5. Be inspired by Instagram
Well, sort of, at least. When you post something on Instagram, you usually care about the photo quality and may make a few adjustments before you post. You may want to consider doing that with your profile photos as well.
Profile pictures tend to do better if there’s color contrast, low background noise, no other people, the upper third of your body, and nothing blocking your face. It’s okay to make a few edits to make this happen. Basically, you’re looking to edit the background to make you the focus.
6. “Heyyy” will get you nowhere
This is a big part of Tinder etiquette. It’s easy to just type hello. And a lot of us are guilty of attempting to start a conversation on Tinder like that. But that’s exactly the problem. If everyone else is just saying hi too, your message is just getting lost in the shuffle.
7. Use your bio to start a conversation
It can be hard to come up with topics to talk to strangers about. Make it easier by including a meaningful question in your bio. It’s also a bonus for you because it helps you weed out some matches right off the bat. If a match gives an answer that you just can’t get behind, you may want to focus on the people that are messaging with a response that you can get into.
This isn’t to say that you should be putting in your bios, “Message me to say if you’re passionate about [insert controversial topic here] so I know whether or not we’d get along.” That’s not great Tinder etiquette. Instead, a better question would be something that requires some thought and creativity that could spark a conversation like, “Message me saying what kind of dog breed you relate to most and why.”
Keep it light, maybe even a little silly, but also thought-provoking.
8. Thoughtful openings will always be better than a pick-up line
Even if your plan is to hook-up, your match deserves respect. Immediately messaging asking for a just-sex relationship or sending over a corny pick-up line isn’t the best start. It’s okay to be funny and it’s okay to be clever, but remember that you’re talking to another person on the other end of that phone.
Talk to them the same way you would talk to a person in real life. Would you really approach a person at the bar and immediately ask them to come home with you? Your match doesn’t know you yet and they’re most likely not going to be comfortable coming over seconds after matching with you.
Approaching dating apps with the right Tinder etiquette will give you the toolkit to meet your match, whatever you’re looking for, and have a great time while doing it!
*The Date Mix is owned by Zoosk, Inc. Zoosk, Inc. is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Tinder, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. Tinder is a registered trademark of their respective owners.
