Far be it for us to advise you on what makes a good online dating profile work, because all along we thought SKIN IS IN. Actually, we are right! According to a survey of profiles from OKCupid.com, guys who show off their abs are more likely to have their online profiles checked out. Which makes perfect logical sense: Internet users like sees navels and nipples! But what other dating profile myths abound, that need to be busted?
• That you need professionally taken photos — or that you need photos taken with a professional camera. That’s a lie; iPhone and BlackBerry pics will do just fine. They’re grittier. And make you look more honest!
• You’ve got to show your face. Actually, you don’t. Profiles with with a body shot, or snaps of your feet, generate as much interest as profiles that reveal all. Just no pets please, okay?
• That you should smile in photos. Wrong! If you’re going to include a photo of your face, smiling sends the message that you’re a happy person, when what really intrigues potential matches is your brooding, emo stare into the camera. (Bonus points for not making eye contact.)
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Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
• It’s okay to be honest about your age. HAHAHAHA. You thought that was the myth? No. The older you get, the less interest in your profile overall. So either knock a few years off your birth-aversary, or find that “smudge” tool in Photoshop and get to work on your saggy neck.
(Photo: GWIP)
WTF?
“Brooding emo stares”?? Whatever. I appreciate a smile. I appreciate a well-shot image (while agreeing that a studio shot can be a bit much). But this caveat should be added: leave the fag hag out of the picture. Why is your best friend/fag hag/beard doing in your shots?? Those are always a big puzzling turnoff.
Rowen
I think this all depends on what you’re looking for when you’re going online. If you’re going on Manhunt for a quick fuck, a shot of your abs (even if it’s 5 years old, and you don’t have that 6 pac) is certainly much more “desirable” then a smiling face. One of my pictures is of me, with a group of friends (they’ve been cropped out), smiling at the camera. When that’s my main pic, I get a lot of “Oh, you’re cute and all, but not really my type. I’m looking for something . . . more hardcore/rugged/sexual/whatever.”
Conversely, when it’s on a dating website, I do get a lot of guys telling me I’m attractive and they’d like to meet for coffee.
Notice, also, there’s no mention of “Did the person checking out this profile respond? Did the two meet up? Did the date go well?” It’s solely, “Did your profile get more hits?,” which doesn’t exactly mean you’re doing well.
detroitmak
Views and messaging are two different things. I will click on a torso pic, just to see what its all about. I won’t contact if they do not have a face pic. I have seen plenty of ugly faces on beautiful torso’s. Secondly the emo look is fine and dandy, but if you do not smile… I am not interested.
terrwill
What I can never figger out is what kind of short circuit ig going on in some of these asshats empty craniums who send a picture that was taken like when they just graduated and then when you meet them they look like they just came back from their 30 year reunion…………………….
Do they think that one is jus so damm horned out that you will flock anything that comes to the door??
The only wood those dudes gets from me is a face full ‘o door………
Mike
Exactly Rowen, and I’d wager the reason faceless profiles get more hits is because people want to look at them to see if there are any other pictures in the profile that show a face.
And besides, these results appear to only be considering straight couples.
Rowen
@detroitmak: I’ve always called that “A body to die for and the fact to protect it.”
JRD
You know what’s sexy? Guys with nice smiles. It shows you are genuine. I know that word can confuse some gays.
T-in-Cali
maybe thats why i don’t do well with online dating. I’m honest. I don’t have a six pack, but i do have a great face. i’m not under 25 but i am a great honest even tempered guy.
I will not lie about my age or anything else for that matter. If those are the rules that the ‘gays’ want to play thats fine but they are not my rules.
We all need to love ourselves for who and what we are. At that point we can try to find a partner who will appreciate us for who we really are. Not who want to be in cyber space.
Love yourselves beyond anyone else with six pack abs and the latest aussie bum drawers.
T-in-Cali
maybe thats why i don’t do well with online dating. I’m honest. I don’t have a six pack, but i do have a great face. i’m not under 25 but i am a great honest even tempered guy. I may not be packing 12×8″ but i got a good piece of equipement and am a pretty hot guy.
I will not lie about my age or anything else for that matter. If those are the rules that the ‘gays’ want to play thats fine but they are not my rules.
We all need to love ourselves for who and what we are. At that point we can try to find a partner who will appreciate us for who we really are. Not who want to be in cyber space.
Love yourselves beyond anyone else with six pack abs and the latest aussie bum drawers.
DR
Wow. What a shallow commentary. Airbrush our abs? Photoshop our faces, necks, torsos, etc? Lie about our ages?
What a shallow commentary on gay dating.
Chris
Ugh, has anyone actually met anyone other than a cheap fuck using your great ‘strategies’? Better yet, do you actually comprehend the words ‘dating’ and ‘relationship’?
This is a huge reason I’m not longer involved in the ‘gay community’ outside of volunteering. So, so, so shallow and self-destructive.
Rowen
@Chris: Don’t completely leave!!!! There’s plenty of pockets of a strong, mature, intelligent gay community. Sure, it’s taken me 3 years to find it in NYC, but I’m starting to find more folks who don’t spend every waking hour at the gym, cruising, and lying about their age.
mike
@Chris: I also, thought this, but I eventually found my now boyfriend of 6 months online. And guess what, he was NOT one of them with just an abs shot. He had a picture of him and an adorable smile 🙂
Dirty Ole Man
Personally, I prefer not seeing the face.
I’m very wary of the out and proud types online.
Having some discretion is always a good thing with me,
and seeing just a hot torso adds mystery to the profile.
Same Crap
I thought this was going to be a davey wavey video.
Joseph
I can’t believe this crap! I like smiles, honesty and a little mystique. I HATE all those dick and ass shots. I WANT to see a face with a smile…. LOOKING at me.
How shallow all this sounds. No wonder it is so difficult finding guys who are ‘sincerely’ relationship minded. I suppose all those lines about “This is my first time.” are supposed to make us jump too eh? What a bunch of horse shit. Be honest. Be patient. Reveal who you really are as you get to know someone and you will have a tremendous advantage over those abs and the liars.
The Artist
Creative shots always catch my interests. 😉 So remember children you catch more flies with honey, so make it sweet! PEACELUVNBWILD!
The Artist
@Chris: Relax! It’s just sex! But volunteering is always nice. However, GETT’N OFF is always fun. PEACELUVNBWILD!