Which profile pics are most likely to get you a date?
When it comes to looking for love, it seems a picture really is worth a thousand words. And choosing the best online dating photos can be the difference between finding love and finding a dud. According to eharmony research, being photographed with a pet was the most likely to get you a date (16%) among both men and women. Meanwhile, a classic selfie (13%) was the second most attractive option for women, as was wearing sunglasses for men (14%).
16%
of men and women are more likely to date someone who has a photo with a dog
Women who were photographed smiling (10%) were also considered desirable, and being photographed with a baby or child improved dateability (11%) for men, the study found.
When choosing a profile photo, singles should consider exactly what message they wish to deliver and how it reflects them as an individual. It is important to choose a photo in which you feel good about yourself and appear confident. Coming across as being comfortable in your own skin and who you are as a person goes a long way. It is also a good idea to keep it simple and not get too creative – for instance, a classic selfie in which you are smiling and friendly is very appealing.
Photographer Zara King says a good profile photograph should capture your personality, while representing you in the best light. “When taking your photo, ensure you use a quality camera for crisp photos without any blurriness, and you don’t want it to look staged or fake. Always try and take the photo in natural light, and ensure the background is well lit but does not dominate the image.”
King says it is also important to dress to impress. “Choose an outfit that you look good in and you feel comfortable in. When posing, choose an angle that feels natural and you are confident about – if you feel awkward, your image will convey that. Authenticity is also really important. Using filters on photos is usually a big no-go as they distort your facial features and make it seem like you have something to hide. Not only that, but you end up falling into the ‘uncanny valley’ a bit if you’re not careful, and don’t make that human connection”.
Profile photos of women most likely to result in a date, according to men
Profile photos of men most likely to result in a date, according to women
But it pays to keep the clothes on, with bare-chested profile shots of men proving the biggest turn off (42%), while straight-on headshots were deemed the least desirable profile pic for women (14%).
NB: Where photos appear in both top and bottom lists, this indicates that they divide opinion, as each respondent chose the top three photos that would make them more likely to go on a date with someone, and the three photos that would make them less likely to do so.
Profile photos of women mostly likely to put off men
Profile photos of men mostly likely to put off women
NB: Where photos appear in both top and bottom lists, this indicates that they divide opinion, as each respondent chose the top three photos that would make them more likely to go on a date with someone, and the three photos that would make them less likely to do so.
While a person’s physical appearance plays a key role when it comes to looking for love, their personality and core values are also important.
“Finding the right partner can seem like a daunting task,” says eharmony’s relationship expert, Sharon Draper. “But when searching for a meaningful relationship, there is more to compatibility than just physical appearance. You should also be able to talk to each other with ease and comfort, share similar goals and dreams and have the same values in life.
“This is where eharmony’s Compatibility Matching System (CMS) can help potential partners push past looks alone. The CMS has already done the bulk of the work in creating a bank of matches for each person, based on 18 dimensions of compatibility, including core values and individual personality traits. eharmony helps do some of the hard work for you, helping to create matches based on your values and personality, but your profile photo is the next step in helping find a candidate for a serious and meaningful relationship.
“Just remember – a picture can say a lot about a person, so be mindful of the image you put out for yourself and think about what they say about you as a person.”