September 1, 2022

Dear men: Group shots are ruining your shot

A new study reveals that men should avoid group photos on their dating profile, as it decreases their likelihood of a match by almost a fifth (19.9%).

The research conducted by Uswitch, saw over 400 participants take part in a dating game where they chose their preferred ‘date’ from a series of 10 profile pictures, in order to reveal the factors that increase your chances of being swiped right.

The study revealedrevealed three main findings to help increase dating app success;

Men should avoidavoid group photos, whilst women should take advantage of their group pics

Men should avoid group photographs on their profile, as including group pictures on their profile decreased men's likelihood of being chosen by almost a fifth (19.9%). Meanwhile, unlike male profiles, including group pictures on their profile increased the chances of female profiles being chosen by nearly a quarter (22.5%).

Wear the colourcolour red

The study revealed that men can increase their chances of being swiped right by wearing the colour red in their profile picture. Choosing a picture in which a red t-shirt was worn increased males' likelihood of being chosen by 9.4%. On the other hand, it only increased the chance of females being chosen by 3.3%

Smile with youryour teeth

Including pictures that show females smiling with their teeth helps promote the appearance of success and attractiveness. These factors increase the likelihood of being chosen, as photos that show these attributes are the main driving factors of being swiped right on for females.

Similarly, using photos that suggest attractiveness, success and a sense of humour are key drivers of males being chosen. A smile with teeth increases the deemed attractiveness of males, whilst solo pictures indicate success.

Callisto Adams, Dating and Relationship Expert comments on the research:

“There are a number of reasons why such profile images may increase or decrease your chance of success on dating apps. Firstly, showing a smile with teeth is often perceived as a sign of friendliness and the ability to socialize, which is a factor that plays a strong role in the perception of attractiveness. A friendly smile, showing teeth, can also be perceived as a hint of a safe space, which is important when using dating apps.

“Group photos also indicate the ability to socialize. As for the reasons for the higher success for women than men, it can most likely be related to factors such as women’s need for emotional connection and perception of an ‘outgoing’ man. It can be controversial, but outgoing men are often seen as unreliable and ‘all over the place’.

“When it comes to colour, red is widely known as the colour to represent love, passion, affection, and lust; Due to its long wavelength, red is attractive, eye-catching, and grabs attention. It’s easier to remember.

“Alongside your choice of profile picture, a nice and short bio can help increase your chances of getting a match on dating apps. It helps you attract compatible types, and gives a better idea of what you’re like. Similar to a punchline, if you do it properly, chances are, you’ll succeed.”