What Is Profile Browsing in Online Dating?

As young and often foolish 19-year-olds, my friends and I had a favorite dorm downtime activity. We would screencast one of our phones onto the TV, open Tinder, and get swiping. Call it shallow, call it childish, call it what you will – but it was fun.

Profile browsing is the act of viewing dating photos or bios on a dating platform.

This was a distinctly surface-level approach to swiping. We weren’t really looking for a date (busted!) — we were looking for guys we recognized from around campus. We wanted to stumble upon somebody who shouldn’t be there, or, even better, somebody who absolutely should.

We kept our search radius small and treated the app like a social game. I’m not necessarily proud of this approach to online dating, but I also know for a fact that plenty of people take on swiping as a hobby or social entertainment.

One of the most basic parts of online dating is the ability to browse profiles. Not only are you able to see someone’s pictures, but you can learn what they like, how they write, and how well they might fit into your lifestyle. 

You need to know what to look for when you’re browsing profiles on dating apps and sites. Especially if you’re taking your online dating experience more seriously than 19-year-old me did. Let’s talk about some key factors at play.

Definition | How It Works | Components | Effective Strategies | Challenges

Profile browsing is an essential part of online dating. It involves looking through the index of dating candidates and getting to see glimpses of their personalities based on the information they choose to provide.

They’re your digital first impression. How you approach browsing profiles is going to have a big impact on what you get out of dating. Browsing profiles is typically free, and it gives you the opportunity to identify commonalities and start thinking about conversation starters. 

You’ll encounter different methods of profile browsing depending on the app you choose. 

For example, Tinder is famous for its swiping system. Its matchmaking tools have made “swipe left” and “swipe right” common dating vernacular. 

Many people criticize the swiping game for being too superficial. Its very nature encourages instant judgments that may not be the most conducive to meaningful relationships. They’re not wrong: I mean, my friends and I made a literal game out of it. 

The Bumble dating app also uses swiping as a means to an end. Members with an approved profile and photos can swipe through dating profiles on a SwipeDeck. 

Other sites focus on compatibility metrics to highlight profiles, using advanced algorithms and personality tests.. 

OkCupid takes online matching a step further by adding a “match score” based on quiz questions that range from “Do you believe in God?” to “Do you like the taste of beer?” OkCupid has over 5,000 compatibility questions available, making it a great choice for daters who want to drive deep.

If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, or at least a match that’s in your life for more than a night, you need to have a good strategy for profile browsing in the online dating process. Here’s what’s most important to focus on during your online search for love.

The Initial Screening Process 

Think hard about your dealbreakers in a relationship. Have an idea about the type of person who will fit your current lifestyle.

I want kids and family someday, so if someone indicates they don’t want kids, I don’t pursue things any further. I’m also endlessly devoted to my cat, and I make that clear in my profile. If someone is allergic or dislikes cats, they probably aren’t the person for me.

Sometimes dealbreakers can change — but when you’re browsing profiles, you’ll need to use some sort of criteria to funnel your options to the most likely candidates. 

If somebody seems like a great match but has a dealbreaker in their profile, you’ll need to consider whether you’re willing to make an exception. Never expect someone else to rearrange their life and their priorities based on your dating preferences. 

Assessing Compatibility

Profile browsing, and any communication that follows, is all about testing your potential for compatibility with someone, both in the long term and short term. 

• Long-term compatibility. It’s absolutely vital to be on the same page with a potential partner when it comes to major life goals. Do you want children? Will religious practices or beliefs be part of your lives? Are you hoping to move or set down roots? Talk these things out if they’re dealbreakers for you.
  
• Short-term compatibility. You need to have enough in common that dates are fun. Hanging out should not feel like a chore. Having a similar lifestyle is a good indicator that you and your online match will have an easy time planning date activities.

It is essential to establish a rapport through texting banter or shared hobbies, especially during the early stages of dating.

When browsing profiles, you need to trust what people have written. If someone says they want kids and you don’t, you should not entertain the match, despite how many interests you may share. Expecting somebody to change core values and life desires is unrealistic and likely to cause resentment.

Establishing Interest & Attraction

When browsing profiles, you need to take action to show interest in another dater. The step forward will differ based on the platform you use. For example, Match utilizes a system of “winks” that inform another user of your interest without a message being sent. 

A lot of popular dating sites have a swipe system based on likes and mutual matching. It’s free to send a like, and if you get a like in return, you unlock communication options. 

While like and wink features can be a helpful way of getting noticed, the best way to establish interest is with a direct message. It’s okay to message more than one interesting profile at a time — in the beginning stages of browsing online dating profiles, it can be helpful to cast a wide net and see who writes back.

When I get just a wink or a wave on a dating app, I’m not super inclined to respond. If you just send a wink on it’s own, it can feel impersonal and low effort. It’s worth sending a personalized message along with it. 

Compatibility should be top of mind when browsing profiles. Before opening a conversation with somebody, you should look at every photo and detail in the profile and then ask yourself if you think you’d get along with this person based on what they’ve shared. Consider carefully:

• Do you have any questions you want to ask them about their photos or lifestyle? 
• Do you think the conversation would easily flow? 
• Can you already picture some good dating spots you think you’d both equally enjoy? 

While it’s possible to be wrong based on your first impression — dating can be a complex process —  it is worth considering what you can glean from that profile information. 

Photos

Physical attraction is the first spark that can keep love ablaze, so photos are one of the most useful tools in the dating process. Yes, this attraction can increase over time, but typically a person’s appearance tells you a lot about how well you’re going to get along

Photos should always be accurate. If somebody is posting pictures of themselves from 2015, that’s a red flag. No one wants to fall in love with a catfish.

While putting together your profile, you should select images you feel best represent who you are today. It’s important to stay away from boring selfies and choose a photo or two where you’re doing an interesting activity and radiating happiness. 

I use a mix of selfies, full-body photos, and shots that show off my interests. I usually include at least one photo with my cat, one photo of me rock climbing, and a couple of cute selfies. I try to tell a story about myself with the photos I include, not just give other users an idea of what I look like.

Aside from physical attraction, photos can speak to personality traits. Pictures of people with pets, hobbies, family, and friends can do a good job of painting an overall picture of what someone is like offline.

I like including a photo with my mom, dad, or siblings (it’s a good idea to caption these pics so other users know they’re your family), and a photo with friends. My friends and I love cooking together and I don’t shy away from my culinary prowess while I’m selecting personality pics. 

Pay attention to what other users are putting in their profiles. They can give you an important glimpse into how they spend their time and what their social life is like. I’m not a huge partier, so if someone’s profile exudes “I go out every night,” it’s a big swipe left for me.

If a single person seems too good to be true or uses filters in their images, there’s a possibility their profile may be phony. It could be generated by AI or just belong to somebody who’s too insecure to show their true colors. This is a red flag either way, so you’ll want to keep your guard up and report any suspicious characters in your swipe queue.

Bio Information 

Creating a good dating profile biography is all about knowing how to give just enough detail to be interesting.

Here are a couple of short and sweet bios: 

• I love to sail, and I’m getting my degree in mechanical engineering. Looking for a partner to travel the world with me.
• Just moved here. I’m obsessed with finding good Chinese food and local dives. Got any recommendations for me?

The key is to keep it short yet unique. You shouldn’t reveal your entire life story, but you also shouldn’t be too vague. I always include what I’m looking for out of dating, whether it’s to keep things casual or find a long-term relationship.

When you’re browsing profiles, pay attention to what others write and how their bios change your opinions. I look for profiles that intrigue me, make me laugh, and make me want to learn more.

Information about personal tragedies or negative emotions should be kept to a minimum. You can talk about it with more nuance during your in-person dates. Don’t mention exes or air complaints in your profile — it’s just a bad look.

Think of it as slowly pulling back a curtain on your story. The courtship phase of your relationship is about getting to know everything about you. The bio is just a teaser. 

Interests 

Not all compatible matches will have the exact same interests as you do, but having a few in common is always a great start. Try to find somebody who shares the same hobby or has similar interests. For example, if you meet a birdwatcher and you enjoy hiking, both activities can be enjoyed together. 

While you’re browsing, keep an eye out for conversation starters. I’m vegan, so when I see a fellow vegan or vegetarian user I’m interested in, I usually start the conversation with that topic. Look for things you have in common to get the conversation started.

While musical tastes may not fully overlap, an appreciation for different genres can go a long way in a relationship. All in all, if you love tennis and aren’t finding a good match (pun intended), it doesn’t mean all hope is lost — as long as they show support for your hobby and don’t mind your practice schedule, you’re still compatible. 

Shared interests are important in relationships, but they’re not the final deciding factor. Just because someone’s profile is showing they’re interested in all the same things as you doesn’t mean you’re going to be compatible.

I matched with someone on Hinge last year whose profile was ticking all the right boxes for me. He was interested in literature and claimed he was a poet (honestly, this should have been the first red flag), and loved all the same authors I did. 

In the chat, I discovered we grew up in the same state and shared a few favorite TV shows.

We went on a date, which started at a coffee shop and ended in his apartment, where I sat on his couch for at least an hour listening to him read me pages of shamelessly heartbroken poetry that was undeniably about a former lover. Talk about a captive audience. 

The dating experts we interview often recommend paying close attention to the details of profiles instead of quickly swiping based on photos alone. 

It makes sense, right? You’re more likely to get a response from a fellow single if it’s apparent you took the time to read what they had to say. By pointing out something from their profile, you can show a potential match that you invested some time in getting to know them. 

Through trial and error, I’ve found a few techniques and strategies that can make online dating more effective. Here are some tips to keep in mind while browsing profiles to make sure you get more compatible matches. 

Effective Use of Filters and Search Options

It’s easy to miss the search filter options on a platform at first glance, but they can be helpful if the usual swiping or browsing isn’t doing it for you. Search filters are a great way to identify compatible profiles quickly and avoid bad matches with people who don’t fit your lifestyle. 

Search filters can help you set ranges on important criteria such as age and distance apart. Some platforms have advanced filters based on drinking habits, religion, and political views, among others.

Filters give you a smaller pool of profiles to browse, and that can give you more confidence in your match suggestions. 

The right filters can give you a higher chance of making a compatible match. They can also help you figure out what’s an actual dealbreaker. Perhaps you have a preference for tall individuals, but you can make an exception and leave that search filter blank to keep your options open.

Spotting Red Flags 

It may feel intimidating to start swiping if you’re new to online dating. You may worry that you won’t see warning signs until it’s too late, but as you get used to your platform of choice, some bad signs become easier to spot. 

A photo of a gun or weapon can be a red flag (why do so many dudes think I want to date them for their rifle collection?). Not having any clear photos of their face is also a red flag. Wearing hats or sunglasses in all photos likewise gives the impression that they’re hiding something. Incomplete profiles can also be an indicator that a person isn’t there for the right reasons.

You know a red flag when you see it. Trust your gut.

Engaging with Profiles 

Sending messages and likes will increase the chances of new chats coming your way. While you might worry about saying the wrong thing at first, just remember that many daters are just as nervous as you are. 

“I’d like to get to know you better. Do you have a moment to chat?”

It’s always good to state how you feel honestly and show some vulnerability. Telling another user that you’re new to online dating can show you’re learning but ready to make a connection. 

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make the most of your experience. Make sure to keep communication respectful, avoid any sexual talk in the first messages, and refrain from overdoing it with compliments. If you like someone, you’ll risk scaring them off if you come on too strong.

Online dating is far from perfect. Not every single person has a good experience with the swiping game, so it’s a good idea to know the risks and drawbacks before you join so you can prepare for everything.

Superficiality vs. Substance 

It can be fun to scroll through profiles and see who you find attractive, but if you’re looking for a worthwhile bond, look beyond the surface. 

A few friends have come to me for help with their profiles (I am a DatingAdvice writer, after all). When I see what they have going on online, I usually notice a significant difference between the person I know and how they’re presenting themselves online. It’s just so hard to translate a full life and three-dimensional personality to the compact space given in a profile.

Remember that profiles are far more than just photos. A single person may be incredibly attractive physically, but they might not have the most compelling profile. On the other hand, a potential match who says all of the right things in their profile may not have chosen the best pictures. 

Give people a chance to impress with more than just flirty looks.

While first impressions matter, it can be good to get to know dating candidates on a deeper level through messaging before casting them aside. 

A dating profile is only one small part of a person’s story, so view it with balanced judgment and don’t be so dismissive of a profile with a bad photo or poor choice of words. Show some grace for the people who may not know what to post.

Managing Expectations 

You might sign up for a dating platform, immediately hit it off with dozens of singles, and start lining up dates clear into next month. Or you might swipe on your daily matches, receive few or no mutual matches, and quickly run out of worthwhile people in the free browsing sections. 

Online dating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a challenge, especially if you have niche interests or are not a woman in her 20s (sorry, but it’s true!). 

The reality of online dating may not measure up to your hopes. You might see a lot of profiles, but not receive many messages and feel rejected. Some users may no longer be active on that platform.

 If you’re facing an empty inbox, don’t give up on online dating altogether. Instead, you might consider updating your profile or trying a different site or app. 

It’s also possible that someone sounds great on paper, but in person, they lack chemistry with you — don’t see it as a failure but as a step forward toward meeting somebody special. Even if a first date turns out to be a dud, gaining that dating experience will be valuable going forward. 

Privacy Concerns 

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in a conversation that you share too much about yourself. While online dating is generally considered safe, you still need to be wary of what you share. 

Avoid giving anyone any financial information, personal details about you or your children, or information that may make you identifiable offline. Remember, before you meet in person, people on dating apps are strangers. Be protective of your privacy and personal information.

I never share where I live or where I work before meeting someone in person. I have an easier time gauging someone’s trustworthiness after meeting them face to face. This way, if the first date goes badly or things don’t work out, I don’t have to worry about that person popping up where they shouldn’t.

Getting to know you is a privilege, and you can set boundaries by being careful about what you share and when. Remember you can always share more after getting to know a user better and meeting them several times in person. 

Transparency and Honesty 

It’s important to be honest about who you are and what you want out of a relationship. You’re only going to attract incompatible people by exaggerating or fibbing in your dating profile. 

For example, if you hate the outdoors but share a bunch of photos of the one camping trip you begrudgingly took with family, you’re not going to like the outdoorsy people you attract.

Honesty and trustworthiness are the foundation of a good relationship, so there’s a lot at stake in those first impressions. You could set yourself up for failure if you begin a relationship with lies or deception.

When I’m setting up my profile, I make sure to include the information that I really want people to know about me. Matches need to know the potential dealbreakers about my beliefs and lifestyle. I’m a cat lover, a vegan, and a Southern gal. Take it or leave it.

Of course, not all daters are exactly candid in return. Catfishing is a common hazard where someone puts on a fake persona through false stories or fake photos. Before meeting in person, it can be helpful to request a video chat to make you feel more secure that you’re connected with a real person. 

When building your profile, remember that honesty is the best policy. There’s no such thing as a perfect person, and our flaws help make us who we are. If someone’s not into your profile, just take it as a sign they aren’t the right person for you.

Browsing profiles is a great way to see the available singles who live in your area. You can judge them with your friends, or you can make decisions for your dating life. It’s low effort but can be super rewarding if you do it right.

You can view profiles for free and get acquainted with a new person before putting the time into lengthy conversations and dates. 

Sometimes you might learn more about what attracts you based on algorithm match suggestions or dating profile information. Make sure you read everything and view all the photos available to you because this personal information can reveal a lot.

Swiping can easily become a game – I’ve certainly experienced this. By slowing down and taking the time to engage with each profile, you’ll get a more authentic online dating experience, and also ward off burnout.

Profiles are the foundation of the online dating experience, so it’s worth considering them. And be sure to change up your own profile if you aren’t getting as many hits as you’d like.