How to Attract Women on Dating Apps: 6 Practical Tips

By Michael AustinOwner and Editor

Updated Oct 7, 2026Published Sep 6, 201911 min read

Note (September 2026): An earlier version said Match or eHarmony offered “guaranteed results”; no dating service can guarantee results, and that sentence has been corrected.

To attract women on dating apps, choose an app whose users want what you want, post clear photos that show your face and a natural smile, write an honest and specific bio, and open with a message that refers to something in her profile. Respect her pace, keep early chats non-sexual and suggest a safe, public first meeting.

If you’re like most single guys, you’ve probably tried online dating. But if you’re one of the many who’ve had little success, don’t worry, we can help you change that.

Read our step-by-step instructions to maximize your success online. These tips focus on the steps that tend to make the biggest difference: the app, the photos, the bio and the first messages.

Choose the best dating app

The first step to success in attracting women online is being on the right app. This is easier said than done because there are a lot of apps out there. The problem is, they’re not all created equal.

Finding the one that’s right for you is key. The best way to determine which app to use comes down to two main things: doing your research and matching your needs to the best apps out there.

Reading reviews before hitting the download button will give you a better idea of the audience the app was created for and how it works. Keep in mind, good reviews typically mention the writer’s personal experience with the app. Articles that give nothing more than a general overview are usually marketing ploys to get signups.

Independent reviews are worth reading. Justwebworld has published guides to dating sites, and other review sites such as Beyondages.com also cover other services; before trusting any review site, check who runs it and whether it earns a commission from signups.

Once you have a list of the best sites, it’s time to match the app to your needs.

If you are interested in dating older women, some sites cater specifically to men who want to date women over the age of 30.

If you like variety, a large, established service such as Match or eHarmony is worth considering. Both are aimed mainly at people looking for a relationship rather than a hookup, but no dating service can guarantee results.

eHarmony matches members using a compatibility questionnaire, which this article calls its Compatibility Matching System; according to Google Patents, eHarmony received a US patent for its matching method in 2004 (US 6,735,568), and that patent is now listed as expired. These are just a few of the apps available to help you find companionship. Here you can read more about married dating sites.

Pick the perfect images

Once you’ve hit the download button and filled out your basic info, it’s time to put your best face forward.

Notice we said best face. One of the worst mistakes you can make with your profile is posting photos with your head cropped out. It’s not mysterious or intriguing. Women will find it annoying, creepy or both. Headless pictures will have the ladies thinking you’re either really ugly or that you’re married and looking for some action on the side.

Instead, you’ll want to choose pictures of you smiling at the camera. In a 2016 Men’s Health article, Tinder’s then in-house sociologist Jess Carbino said users who smile get swiped right about 14 percent more often (the figure covers Tinder users generally): A smile is 14% more likely to have women swiping or clicking on your profile.

Another thing to keep in mind is one headshot isn’t enough. Additional photos should show more of you and accentuate your best features.

If you have a six-pack, for instance, it’s OK to show it off but not through a cliche mirror selfie. Instead, you’ll want to choose a picture of you hanging out at the beach or out on a boat-somewhere where it’s natural for you to be shirtless.

Choosing photos where you’re doing something interesting is also a good move. A picture of you shooting hoops or hiking will hint that you’re an active guy with a lot of interests. Many women find that kind of energy attractive, although preferences vary from person to person.

Now if you don’t have any good photos, try to at least take a good selfie.

Make your profile stand out

Your bio is a vital component to your success. If your bio is boring, or worse, barely filled out, you can kiss any chance of getting dates goodbye.

The bio is your chance to make a favorable impression, so you’ll want to talk about your most desirable and positive personality traits. Are you outgoing? Say so. Are you creative, fun-loving or intellectual? Let the ladies know.

You can talk a bit about your job, but you’ll also want to describe your hobbies and passions. And, above all, be honest when writing your profile. By being genuine and authentic in your bio, you’ll attract women who will actually be a good fit for you. And that is essential for a quality relationship or hookup.

The other vital component is being upfront about what you’re looking for. Whether you want a serious relationship or a friend with benefits, being honest about what you’re seeking will help you find like-minded ladies.

Make a good first impression

The first message you send to a woman is crucial. If you fail to pique her interest, it’s unlikely you’ll receive a reply.

Keep in mind, attractive women receive tons of messages from interested men, so if you want yours to stand out in her crowded inbox, you need to put in some effort.

And that means “hi” or “hey” isn’t going to cut it. You’ll also want to avoid sending a “you’re beautiful” message. It’s unoriginal and is unlikely to impress her, especially when she’s received dozens of identical messages.

To really capture a woman’s interest online, you need to do some research. Carefully reading her profile can give you at least a little bit of insight into a lady’s personality and interests. And that information can be the basis for a great first message.

There are a few different ways you can use that info to get her attention: you can reference a common interest that you share or you can compliment her profile.

If you do share a common interest like reading, let her know. For instance: “Who’s your favorite author? Mine is James Patterson.”

If you can’t find a way to connect over a shared hobby, go for a compliment. Other than her appearance, what did you like best about her? If you focus on that, you have a pretty good chance of hearing back from her.

Try something like: “You have, by far, the most interesting profile I’ve ever read. Since you mentioned you love to travel, where’s the best place you’ve been to?”

This type of message not only shows you’re interested in her as a person, but it’s also the type of message a woman is more likely to respond to because you’ve already done all of the heavy lifting.

You’ve thought of a topic to talk about-all she has to do is answer your question. And most women will keep the ball rolling by asking you where your ultimate travel destination is.

Keep her talking

Once you’ve received a response, it’s up to you to keep the conversation going. This is where many guys fall back on compliments like “you’re so hot,” but that isn’t the way to impress a woman.

Instead, you’ll want to focus on establishing a bond with her. Treat your online interaction like a first date and really get to know her. You can ask about her hobbies, her job or what she’s most passionate about.

Remember, if she enjoys chatting with you online, chances are she’ll be interested in meeting in person.

Don’t get too sexual

We’re not saying you can’t talk about sex ever, but it’s best left until you’ve really gotten to know the lady you’re messaging. If you’ve been chatting for a few days and things are going well, it’s definitely time to start flirting. But ease into it slowly and avoid cliché phrases like “you’re really hot” or “you’re beautiful.” She’s heard that hundreds of times before.

To take your flirting to the next level, check out her profile pics and note her best features. Then find a way to compliment her that isn’t mundane. Instead of saying “you have a beautiful smile” or “beautiful eyes” try something like “You have the kind of smile that lights up a room” or “your eyes are the first thing I noticed about you.”

As for sex chat, take your cue from her. If she’s getting very flirty, you can up your level of flirting accordingly. Remember, it’s hard to tell a woman’s reaction online.

You don’t know what her comfort level is when it comes to talking about sex with someone she’s never met in person. Your best bet is to keep sexual remarks classy. In other words, don’t tell her you want to  “screw her brains out” and avoid sending or asking for explicit pictures.

Attracting a woman online is mostly about avoiding common mistakes. These six tips cannot guarantee matches, but following them consistently should improve both the number and the quality of your conversations.

You can check out the best hookup sites in this article.

This article is contributed by Rachel Timmons.

Which Dating App Should You Use?

The best dating app depends on your age, location and what you want. According to Pew Research Center’s survey of 6,034 US adults (conducted July 2022 and published February 2023, the newest edition of this survey), 30% of US adults have ever used a dating site or app. Among those users, 46% had used Tinder, 31% Match and 28% Bumble, while OkCupid, eharmony and Hinge were each used by about a fifth.

Before paying for any subscription, compare what the free tier offers. Our guide to the features that separate good dating sites from bad ones explains what to look for.

What Do Women Want to See in a Dating Profile?

Women generally respond to dating profiles that are clear, honest and specific. A strong profile usually includes:

• A clear main photo: your face visible, with no sunglasses and no group shot as the first picture.
• A few supporting photos: a full-length photo and at least one showing an activity or hobby.
• A bio with specifics: name an actual hobby, book, place or goal instead of generic lines such as “I love to laugh.”
• Clear intentions: say whether you want something serious or casual.
• Recent photos: pictures that look like you do today.

Common Mistakes Men Make on Dating Apps

• Sending one-word openers such as “hi” or “hey.”
• Opening with comments about her body or appearance.
• Sending explicit messages or photos she did not ask for. In Pew Research Center’s 2022 survey, 56% of women under 50 who had used dating apps said they had received an unsolicited sexually explicit message or image.
• Continuing to message after she says she is not interested. Pew found that 43% of women under 50 who had used dating apps had experienced this.
• Copying and pasting the same message to everyone.
• Pushing to meet before she is comfortable, or never suggesting a meeting at all.

How to Stay Safe When Dating Online

Online dating safety protects both of you. Pew Research Center reported that 52% of online dating users said they had come across someone they thought was trying to scam them, and the share of US adults who see online dating as a very or somewhat safe way to meet people fell from 53% in 2019 to 48% in 2022.

• Meet in a public place for the first date and tell a friend where you are going.
• Never send money to someone you have not met in person. The US Federal Trade Commission warns that romance scammers often claim to live far away, ask for money for travel or emergencies, and request payment by wire transfer, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency.
• Do a reverse image search of a profile photo if details do not add up; the FTC suggests this as a check for fake profiles.
• Report and block accounts that pressure you or ask for money; in the US, romance scams can be reported to the FTC.

For more on protecting yourself, read how to be smart about online dating.

What to Do If You Are Not Getting Matches

1. Replace your main photo with a clear, well-lit, smiling picture.
2. Rewrite your bio so it mentions at least two specific interests.
3. Check your age and distance settings; very narrow filters shrink your pool.
4. Try a different app whose users match your age group and goals.
5. Take a break if it starts to feel discouraging. Many people find modern dating difficult, as our article on why dating feels harder than ever explains.

If a match or relationship does not work out, our guide to moving on from relationships may help.

Written byMichael AustinOwner and Editor

Michael Austin is the current owner of Justwebworld and manages the platform’s editorial direction, content strategy, and digital publishing operations. With a strong interest in online media and modern publishing, he focuses on creating informative, engaging, and easy-to-understand content across multiple categories. Under his leadership, Justwebworld continues to grow as a trusted multi-niche digital publication covering technology, business, lifestyle, automotive, sports, travel, and trending internet topics for readers worldwide.

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