No Luck on Hinge? How to Go from Matchless to Endless Matches

Not getting any matches on dating apps like Hinge can be frustrating and disheartening. You've crafted the perfect profile showcasing your best self, but no one seems to be swiping right on you.

Introduction

This is an all too common issue, especially among men using dating apps. Many men report getting very few or no matches at all. One study found that women swipe right on just 4-5% of men on Tinder, so the odds are stacked against you as a guy.

But not getting matches doesn't mean you're unattractive or that something is inherently wrong with your profile. There are many factors at play, from your photos and bio to the algorithms used by dating apps. With some strategic adjustments, you can start racking up matches in no time.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the top reasons you're not getting matches on Hinge and actionable tips to get your profile noticed. You'll learn how to craft an attractive profile, be more strategic with your swiping, and avoid common mistakes that turn women off. With realistic expectations and the right techniques, you can beat the odds and start connecting with relationship-minded singles on Hinge.

Have Realistic Expectations

Getting quality matches on Hinge takes time and patience. Many users report not getting any matches during their first week on the app. It can take around a week before Hinge becomes consistent with sending likes and matches. Don't get discouraged if your first few days are quiet.

Remember that Hinge is ultimately a numbers game. The average user sends out around 40 likes before getting just one match in return. With odds like these, it's normal to go through dry spells. Try not to take it personally if your profile isn't getting flooded with matches right away.

Finding compatible matches takes time. Resist the urge to endlessly tweak your profile because you aren't getting instant results. Be patient and persistent with regularly using the app. Stay confident in yourself and keep your expectations realistic. Your ideal match is out there, it just may take some swiping and chatting to connect with them!

Review and Improve Your Profile

Your Hinge profile is your chance to showcase your best self and attract matches who are looking for someone just like you. Pay close attention to the photos, prompts, and other profile details to make sure you're putting your best foot forward.

Choose the Right Photos

Photos are one of the most important parts of your Hinge profile. Select 4-6 high-quality, well-lit photos that show off your smile, interests, and personality. According to Hinge experts, your first photo should be a clear, close-up headshot of just you. The rest can include full body shots, photos of you engaged in hobbies, with friends or family, or traveling. Avoid too many group shots, filters, or blurry selfies.

Fill Out Your Prompts Thoroughly

Don't just give one-word answers to the prompt questions on your Hinge profile. This is your chance to showcase your personality, values, interests, and what makes you unique. Experts recommend using humor, telling stories, and being authentic in your responses. Avoid cliches or vague statements that could apply to anyone. Give matches an insight into who you really are.

Show Your Fun Side

While authenticity is key, you also want to display your fun, outgoing side on your Hinge profile. Highlight your interests, post photos of you doing activities you love, and show your playful personality in your prompt answers. Let potential matches see that you live life to the fullest and know how to have a good time.

Be Open-Minded With Your Filters

One reason you may not be getting matches is having too narrow of filters set. Hinge allows you to set preferences on things like age range, distance, height, religion, and more. But limiting your preferences too much can seriously restrict your potential matches.

While you naturally want to filter for things important to you, try not to be overly restrictive. For example, setting an age range of only 2-3 years unnecessarily shrinks your options. Same goes for only wanting matches within a few miles distance.

Give people a chance even if they don't perfectly fit your ideal criteria. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised and making a great connection with someone you otherwise would have filtered out.

You can always unmatch later if you find you aren't compatible. But leaving your preferences too narrow could make finding any matches difficult.

Be open-minded, and you might just meet someone special that you would have otherwise missed out on.

Be An Active User

Being an active user on Hinge is key to increasing your matches. You need to regularly log in to check for new matches and messages. According to reddit users on r/hingeapp, most people check the app once or twice a day depending on how busy they are.

When you do receive a new match or message, it's important to respond promptly. Don't let conversations go stale. Try to reply within a few hours if possible, as one reddit user mentioned getting unmatched for not responding within 3 hours. Of course, life gets busy, so do your best to find a balance between being active on the app and having a life outside of it.

Once you start a conversation, you need to put in the effort to keep it going and move things forward. Ask engaging questions, share stories and information about yourself, and suggest meeting up if you feel sufficient connection. The goal is to turn matches into in-person dates where you can really get a sense of chemistry and compatibility.

Overall, consistently staying active on Hinge by regularly checking for new matches, responding promptly to messages, and keeping conversations flowing, will dramatically increase your chances of finding that special someone.

Carefully Evaluate Each Profile Before Swiping

It can be tempting to quickly swipe right on every profile you see in order to maximize your potential matches. However, this "mass swiping" approach often leads to low-quality matches that go nowhere.

Instead, take the time to thoughtfully review each profile before deciding whether to swipe left or right. Carefully look through all of someone's photos and read through their profile prompts. Don't just skim through profiles.

Take the time to carefully evaluate each profile before making a decision. Dive deep into what they've written about themselves and consider if you genuinely have an interest in getting to know them better. Only swipe right on those you can truly envision going on a memorable date with.

Swiping right on everyone may get you more initial matches, but you'll quickly burn through them with people you have little in common with. And Hinge's algorithm may start showing your profile less if you don't seem selective.

"I find I 'swipe left' on 95% of the profiles on Hinge and spend more time looking at the answers and information," reports one Hinge user on Reddit. Taking the time leads to better matches.

Quality over quantity is key. Be thoughtful and selective in your swiping to match with people you're truly excited to get to know better.

Consider Upgrading to Hinge Preferred

Upgrading to Hinge Preferred can give your profile a boost and help you get more matches. Here are some of the key benefits of upgrading:

See Who Likes You

One of the best features of Hinge Preferred is you can see everyone who has liked your profile before you swipe on them. This allows you to match with people you're interested in and avoid wasting likes on those who haven't shown interest yet. According to Hinge, Preferred members are nearly 3x more likely to get a match.

"Preferred Membership gives you first access to your Standouts and your Likes You. This means you can match with everyone you're interested in before making any decisions." (source)

Get Your Profile Highlighted

Hinge Preferred boosts your profile's visibility by giving you a blue checkmark badge and putting your profile higher in the stack when people view potential matches. This makes it more likely compatible people will see your profile and swipe right on you.

Preferred profiles are shown to ~3x more people, meaning you have a much higher chance of being seen by people you’re compatible with.

So if you want to get noticed and improve your chances of getting matches, upgrading can help.

Overall, Hinge Preferred removes a lot of the guessing games around who likes you and makes it easier to connect with compatible matches. For many users, the features are well worth the monthly subscription cost.

Be Patient And Don't Give Up

Finding the right match takes time and patience. According to research, the average person spends around 8 months on dating apps and swipes on nearly 4,000 profiles before finding a partner. Don't get discouraged if you aren't matching right away. Dating is a numbers game.

Stay positive and keep putting in effort on the app. It may take chatting with a number of different people before you find someone you click with. After meeting in person, research shows it takes women an average of 4-5 dates before realizing they are with “the one”. Give new connections time to develop.

If you start feeling burnt out, take a break from the app and focus on other areas of your life. Come back refreshed and ready to keep trying. With persistence, you'll eventually find quality matches.

Don't let a lack of initial matches discourage you. Finding love takes effort. By regularly using the app, improving your profile, and meeting matches in person, your odds will improve over time. Stay positive, be patient, and keep working at it.

Try Other Dating Apps Too

While Hinge is a great dating app, relying solely on one platform can limit your options. Cast a wider net by trying other popular dating apps as well. Expanding to different apps increases your chances of finding more compatible matches. Some of the top dating apps besides Hinge include:

• Bumble - Women make the first move on this female-focused app
• Tinder - The OG swiping app with a massive user base
• OkCupid - Features detailed profiles and quirky questions
• Badoo - Another popular dating app that can greatly expand your options
• Coffee Meets Bagel - This app curates a limited number of matches daily called "bagels". The curated approach results in thoughtful, high-quality connections.

The key is finding an app that aligns with your dating goals and style. While Hinge and bumble is great for relationships, apps like Tinder and okcupid may be better for casual encounters. Testing different platforms also helps you learn what works for you. Pay attention to which apps yield better matches, conversations and dates. Spreading your focus across 2-3 apps gives you the best chance for success in finding love.

Meet Matches In-Person

Don't get stuck in the endless messaging phase - suggest meeting up in person relatively soon after matching and conversing on Hinge. As useful as the app can be for making matches, you'll get a much better sense of chemistry, rapport, and compatibility when you interact in person.

While online dating relationships offer convenient communication and a wider pool of potential partners, meeting in-person is crucial. In-person meetings lead to more meaningful connections.

Even if it's just a quick drink or coffee date, taking the step to meet offline provides so many benefits. You'll get to see mannerisms, style, humor and more that just don't come across fully via messaging. Don't let weeks or months go by without suggesting an in-person meeting.

The key is not to waste time chatting endlessly online when you could be cultivating chemistry in-person. That doesn't mean you should meet immediately or unsafely. But after some initial conversation, start making plans. That's how you'll find out if that online match has true relationship potential.

FAQ

How long does it typically take to get matches on Hinge?

Getting quality matches on Hinge can take time. According to Hinge users, it typically takes around 1-2 weeks of regular use before the app starts providing consistent matches and likes. Don't get discouraged if you don't get many matches right away. Finding compatible partners takes patience. Stay active on the app and keep improving your profile. Over time, as the algorithm learns your preferences, you'll start seeing more promising matches.

Why am I not getting any matches on Hinge?

There are a few common reasons you may not be getting matches on Hinge:

• Your profile needs improvement. Review your photos, prompts, and other details to make sure you're showing your best self. Get feedback from friends or a dating coach.
• Your filters are too narrow. Open up your preferences to give more people a chance. You can always unmatch later.
• You're not being active enough. Regularly check the app for new matches and messages. Respond promptly and keep conversations going. Stay engaged to increase your odds.
• You're swiping too quickly. Take time to evaluate each profile before deciding to swipe left or right. Only swipe right on those you're genuinely interested in.
• You haven't upgraded to Hinge Preferred. Upgrading gives your profile a boost and allows you to see who likes you. This can help you match with more promising partners.
• You're relying only on Hinge. Try other dating apps too to increase your options. The more apps you use, the greater your chances of finding a match.
• You're not meeting in person. Don't get stuck messaging endlessly. Suggest meeting for a quick date to determine if there's real chemistry and compatibility.

How can I improve my chances of getting matches on Hinge?

Here are some tips to improve your odds of getting matches on Hinge:

• Choose flattering, engaging photos that show your personality. Have a mix of headshots, full body shots, and activity photos.
• Fill out your prompts thoroughly with humor and authentic details about yourself. Give matches insight into what makes you unique.
• Show your fun, interesting side. Highlight hobbies, interests, accomplishments, and your sense of adventure.
• Be open-minded with your filters. Don't be too restrictive or you'll limit your options.
• Stay active by regularly checking the app and responding to messages promptly. Keep conversations going and move them offline.
• Carefully review each profile before swiping. Only swipe right on those you're genuinely interested in getting to know better.
• Consider upgrading to Hinge Preferred. It can boost your profile's visibility and allow you to see who likes you first.
• Try other dating apps in addition to Hinge. The more you use, the greater your chances of finding a match.
• Meet your matches in person as soon as you both feel comfortable. You'll get a much better sense of chemistry face to face versus messaging online.

Is Hinge better for relationships or casual dating?

Hinge is designed primarily for people seeking relationships rather than casual encounters. According to Hinge, 75% of their users are looking for a relationship. The app focuses on helping people connect over shared interests and values to find meaningful partnerships.

How long should I wait before meeting a Hinge match in person?

• There's no set timetable for meeting a Hinge match in person. It depends on your comfort level and how the conversation is flowing. However, experts generally recommend meeting sooner rather than later, within 1-2 weeks of initial matching if possible.
• Some signs you're ready to meet in person:
• You've exchanged several messages and feel you have a sense of their personality and interests.
• You're able to maintain engaging, two-way conversations without long gaps between responses.
• You've discussed basic details like work, hobbies, values, dating goals, etc. and feel you have enough in common to explore further.
• You both express interest in grabbing a quick drink or coffee. If they suggest meeting up, that's even better!
• Messaging starts to feel repetitive. At this point, an in-person meetup is needed to determine real chemistry.
• While safety is important, don't drag out messaging for too long. Meeting in person, even for a short date, is the only way to know if the connection you feel online translates offline. And the sooner you meet, the less likely you are to build unrealistic expectations of each other from messaging alone.