I'm going to be blunt here because that's the only way this article works. I'm a straight guy who's been using dating apps heavily for five years across three Canadian cities. I've swiped on probably 10,000+ profiles at this point. I know what makes me swipe right, what makes me swipe left, and what makes me actually send a message.
This isn't going to be generic advice like "smile in your photos!" This is what actually works based on thousands of real interactions. Some of it might surprise you. Some might be obvious. All of it is honest.
First: What This Article Is and Isn't
This is advice specifically for women creating profiles on casual dating/hookup apps. If you're looking for a serious relationship, some of this won't apply. If you're not trying to appeal to men, this definitely won't apply.
I'm one guy with one perspective. Your mileage may vary. But I've talked to enough male friends about this to know my opinions aren't outliers—they're pretty representative of what most guys in their late 20s and 30s are looking for on these apps.
Also: nothing I say here means you have to change your profile. If you're getting the results you want, ignore this. But if you're confused about why you're not getting matches or quality conversations, maybe this will help.
Photos: What Actually Matters
Your Face Needs to Be Clearly Visible in the First Photo
I can't believe I have to say this, but: if I can't see your face in your main photo, I'm swiping left immediately. Sunglasses hiding your eyes? Left. Photo from 50 feet away? Left. Weird angle that obscures half your face? Left.
I get that you might have privacy concerns, but dating apps require showing your face. If you're not comfortable with that, these apps might not be for you.
Group Photos Are Fine, But Not As Your Main Photo
If your first photo is you with three friends and I have to play "guess which one is her," I'm swiping left. I don't have time for that game, and neither do most guys.
Group photos later in your profile are great—they show you have friends and a social life. But lead with a clear, solo photo of yourself.
Body Photos Matter for Casual Dating
I'm going to be honest about something uncomfortable: physical attraction is a huge factor in casual dating. Way more than in relationship-oriented dating.
You don't need to post bikini photos (though you can if you want). But having at least one full-body photo helps set accurate expectations. If all your photos are face-only close-ups, guys assume you're hiding something. Fair or not, that's the reality.
A simple mirror selfie showing your full outfit works fine. A photo of you at a park or restaurant where your full body is visible works. You don't need to be a model—you just need to be clear about what you actually look like.
Photo Quality Matters More Than You Think
Blurry, poorly lit, or heavily filtered photos are an instant left swipe for me and most guys I know. They make you look either careless or like you're hiding something.
You don't need professional photos. Just use your phone in good natural lighting. Stand near a window. Take the photo outside during daytime. It makes a massive difference.
Filters and Heavy Editing Are a Turnoff
If you're using Snapchat filters with dog ears or sparkles, I'm swiping left. If your photos are so edited that you don't look like a real human, I'm swiping left.
Slight touch-ups are fine—everyone does it. But if your skin is porcelain-smooth and your eyes are unnaturally large, it reads as either insecure or dishonest. Neither is attractive.
Gym Photos Can Work, But Context Matters
If you're fit and want to show it, great. A gym selfie showing your physique is totally fine for casual dating apps. But make sure it doesn't come across as your entire personality.
One gym photo = "I work out and I'm proud of my body." Cool.
All gym photos = "The gym is my entire identity." Less appealing.
What About Revealing Photos?
Here's my honest take: revealing photos (bikini, cleavage, tight dress) will get you more matches. But they might not get you better quality matches.
Guys who are only interested in looks will swipe right on revealing photos regardless of anything else in your profile. Guys who want even a baseline connection might actually prefer photos that show personality alongside physical attractiveness.
If you're comfortable posting revealing photos, do it. But know that it might change the type of attention you get. Neither approach is wrong—just be intentional about it.
The Bio: What Actually Gets Guys To Message You
Blank Bios Are Terrible
If your bio is empty, I assume one of three things: you're lazy, you think your looks are enough (which is off-putting), or you're a bot. Either way, I'm probably swiping left unless your photos are exceptionally compelling.
Write something. Anything. Even a few sentences help.
Be Clear About What You Want
The best bios for casual dating include some version of: "Not looking for anything serious," "Here for fun," "Keeping it casual," or "Open to seeing where things go."
This immediately filters out guys who want a relationship (saving everyone time) and signals to guys looking for casual that you're on the same page.
If you're vague about what you want, you'll match with everyone and then have to figure out compatibility through conversation. If you're clear upfront, you'll match with fewer people but higher compatibility.
Give Conversation Starters
The number one complaint guys have about messaging women first is: "I have nothing to say. Her bio is empty and her photos are just selfies."
Make it easy for us. Mention something you're into that we can ask about:
- "Just got back from a trip to Japan" → "How was Japan?"
- "Trying to find the best tacos in Toronto" → "Have you tried [place]?"
- "Obsessed with true crime podcasts" → "What's your favorite true crime case?"
Simple hooks that give us something to start a conversation with. This dramatically increases the quality of opening messages you'll get.
Humor Works Better Than You Think
A funny bio stands out massively. Most women's bios on dating apps are either empty, generic ("I like travel, food, and friends!"), or weirdly negative ("Don't waste my time," "No hookups," "If you can't handle me at my worst...").
A bio that makes me laugh? Instant right swipe, even if I'm on the fence about the photos.
It doesn't have to be comedy genius. Self-deprecating humor works great. Absurd humor works. Even just a weird fact about yourself works.
Example I saw last month: "5'4" but 6'2" in heels and attitude. Can't parallel park but I make excellent nachos." I messaged her immediately.
Avoid These Bio Mistakes
- "Don't know why I'm on here" → Then why are you?
- "My friends made me download this" → Takes zero ownership, reads as insecure
- "I'm probably too good for this app" → Condescending and off-putting
- "No hookups/not here for sex" → Then you're on the wrong app for casual dating
- Lists of demands ("Must be 6'+," "Must have a car," etc.) → Comes across entitled
- "I don't message first" → Cool, I'll swipe left then
- Just your Instagram handle → I'm not applying to be your follower
What Signals High Quality vs Low Effort
Guys looking for casual dating still want some evidence you're a functional adult with a personality. Here's what signals that:
High Quality Signals:
- Photos in different locations (shows you leave your house)
- A hobby or interest mentioned in bio
- Photos that show you doing something, not just posing
- A bio that sounds like an actual person wrote it
- Some humor or personality beyond "I like travel and food"
Low Effort Signals:
- All photos are bathroom mirror selfies from the same angle
- Empty bio or one-word bio
- All photos have filters
- Only group photos (can't tell which one is you)
- Photos that look like they're from 2019
You don't need to be high-effort across the board. But giving some signal that you're a real person with interests makes you way more appealing.
The Biggest Mistake: Trying To Appeal To Everyone
Here's what a lot of women do: they create a profile that's so generic and inoffensive that it appeals to nobody.
Generic bio: "Love to laugh, travel, and try new restaurants!"
Generic photos: Five nearly identical selfies.
This profile gets matches because guys swipe on photos. But it doesn't get good conversations because there's nothing to latch onto.
Better approach: have a point of view. Show some personality. Mention something specific you're into, even if it's niche. The goal isn't to appeal to all men—it's to appeal strongly to the men you'd actually be compatible with.
Example:
Generic: "Love music and going to concerts!"
Specific: "Just saw Alvvays at the Danforth, still not over it. Always down to catch indie shows."
The specific version will resonate less broadly but more deeply. That's what you want for quality matches.
Age-Specific Advice
Early 20s
You have the most options at this age just by existing. Don't overthink it. Be clear about what you want, use recent photos, and have fun. The bar is low.
Late 20s to Early 30s
This is where personality and profile quality start mattering more. Guys in this age range have slightly higher standards and are looking for some evidence of compatibility beyond just attraction. Put effort into your bio.
Mid-30s and Up
Be especially clear about what you're looking for. Guys in this age range are often looking for either serious relationships or very clear casual situations—they don't want ambiguity. Also, recent photos matter a lot. If your photos look like they're from 2018, it raises red flags.
City-Specific Notes
Toronto
Competition is fierce. Everyone has options. Your profile needs to stand out through personality or really good photos. Being vague doesn't work here—guys will just move to the next profile.
Vancouver
Outdoor photos perform really well. Mentioning hiking, skiing, or beach activities helps. The culture is more laid-back, so overly serious or demanding bios don't work as well.
Montreal
Bilingual profiles do well. Being too uptight doesn't work—Montreal dating culture is more relaxed. A bit of attitude or sass in your bio actually helps here, whereas it might hurt you in Toronto or Vancouver.
What I Actually Look For (And Most Guys I Know Agree)
When I'm deciding whether to swipe right, here's my mental checklist:
- Can I see what you look like? (Clear face photo)
- Are you physically attractive to me? (Subjective, but honest)
- Do you seem like an actual person with a personality? (Bio quality)
- Are we looking for the same thing? (Clear intentions)
- Is there something I can start a conversation about? (Conversation hooks)
If the answer is yes to all five, I'm swiping right and I'm going to send a thoughtful message. If the answer is no to 3-5, I might still swipe right based on photos alone, but I probably won't send a great opening message.
If the answer is no to 1-2, I'm swiping left regardless of anything else.
The Bottom Line
Men are simple. We want to see what you look like, know what you're looking for, and have some evidence that you're a person with a personality we might click with. That's it.
You don't need professional photos or a perfectly written bio. You just need to be clear, honest, and give us something to work with.
Show your face clearly. Include at least one full-body photo. Write a bio that's actually you, not generic dating app filler. Be clear about wanting casual if that's what you want. Give us conversation starters.
Do those things and you'll get better matches, better conversations, and better results. It's not complicated—most people just skip these basics and wonder why their apps aren't working.
Good luck out there. You don't need to be perfect. You just need to be clear.