In the last article I explained how to build a good profile in general. Today I’m going to talk about one of the greatest factors in online dating sites: photos. I did the test myself and posted a few different profiles with the same guy, but I used different pictures. I changed the clothes, the background image etc. Basically I made the profiles unrecognizable from each other. The results were the following:

1. This is about something I already advised in the last article. Smile! This is really significant. Receptiveness was null when I posted unhappy pictures. Not even one response! The reason behind this result is not hard to figure out. You’re sad, and people don’t want to be around sad people. When you’re choosing your photos, post at least one where you have a natural, happy smile.
2. That prom photo, 10 years ago, is not going to work. When you choose old pictures you’re telling your potential partners that you don’t feel confident with your actual image. Post recent photos of yourself. Not only you will demonstrate that you’re an honest guy but you’ll also avoid a lot of requests for up to date photos.
3. Don’t try to hide your body. Post at least one full body shot. You don’t have to be on your boxers, just choose one you are comfortable with. If you don’t post a full body picture, people will think that you’re hiding something, and they will either request more pictures or simply ignore your profile. Another thing that will make people think that you’re hiding something is a dark photo. Make sure that most of your photos are clear and well-lit.
4. Post pictures of you only. If you have to edit and remove people from the photos, then do it. You don’t want to post a picture of yourself side by side with your ex, because that might lead people to believe that you’re not over her. Make sure you also crop the pictures to a good size. If there’s too much background, slice a rectangle around you. That will make your potential partners focus on you, instead of the view behind you.
5. Don’t post any (barely) sexually explicit material. Everyone will think you’re just seeking a relationship based on sex. I highly advise you to show a bit more of skin if you’re on an adult dating site, because people are looking for “one night stands” and casual sex, but if you’re looking for something more serious, act more serious.

The bottom line is to not pick your pictures randomly. Show the best of you, but try to follow the “laws”: a smile on your face and recent, well-lit, full body, normal photos. If you want to get even better at choosing photos start noticing what repels you immediately from someone on a dating site and what attracts you. Take notes.

Enjoyed the article? Join our RSS feed. We are also offering a free dating book to our newsletter subscribers. Click here to check it out.

Check our free book with lots of dating tips »here!«