Tinder has changed the online dating game. But even as one of the most popular dating apps, there are some mistakes that way too many users make.

From using sharing too much personal information to falling for fake profiles, here are some common Tinder mistakes you should avoid at all costs.

1. Sharing Too Much Personal Information on Tinder

While Tinder no longer shows mutual Facebook friends, there are still other profiles that can be linked to the dating app. For example, you are able to link your Instagram account and Spotify playlists.

However, if you're not careful about what you link, you could share too much personally identifiable information with strangers. Reverse image searches, location tags, and other common tools can be used to identify you. You may also find people you didn't match with trying to message you using your social media.

While you should include some information about yourself (or risk being considered a bot), you should also make sure to protect your privacy on Tinder. Don't share your home address, your work address, or other private information with matches.

2. Choosing the Wrong Tinder Profile Picture

Many users swipe pretty quickly on Tinder. They won't necessarily take the time to look at multiple photos and your bio unless your first picture makes an impression. Therefore, you need to make sure that the first photo on your profile is your best.

You should also make sure it only features you rather than a group of friends. Group photos make it unclear who the actual profile belongs to.

A few other Tinder profile picture mistakes you should avoid are:

  • Using photos where your face is obscured by sunglasses or hats.
  • Choosing photos taken from too far away.
  • Photos that don't have you in it, such as memes.

Tinder's official FAQ gives this advice for your profile picture:

Ditch your friends because this isn’t about them and remove the sunglasses because they hide your face. The best pics are in focus and some say a smile goes a long way here.

You can include these types of images elsewhere in your profile, but if you include them as your primary image, you're less likely to attract matches.

3. Not Verifying Your Tinder Profile

It's easy to verify your Tinder profile, and not doing this can result in fewer matches. Why? Verified users have the option to enable photo-verified chat, which means that they will only receive messages from other photo-verified profiles.

There is also an Explore filter that only shows photo-verified accounts.

Besides this, verifying your profile can help ease the concerns of potential matches by proving you're not simply a bot or catfish.

4. Not Checking Bios

tinder profile show more up arrow

If you're looking for more than just a casual hookup on Tinder, you should take the time to check bios before swiping. Every once in a while, you might find someone who has written something clever on their profile or who has selected genuinely interesting photos.

You can see a more detailed version of someone's Tinder profile by selecting the up arrow towards the bottom right of a profile. This will show you additional information about your potential match.

5. Not Adding Your Interests or Preferences

While you add your interests when you create your Tinder profile, there are other details you can add to your bio and preferences.

Tinder sets a default age range and distance when you create your profile. This can result in suggestions for potential matches you're not interested in. You should adjust these parameters to your preferences.

Furthermore, you can update your interests after setting up your profile. You can also add details such as whether you own pets, whether you smoke, and more.

This information helps inform the Tinder algorithm, but also lets potential matches know a little more about your personality and lifestyle. And when it comes to Vibes and using the Tinder Explore feature, these details make sure your profile shows up in the right categories.

6. Falling for Fake Tinder Profiles

Tinder can be a great place to find a romantic partner, but it's not uncommon for users to stumble across fake profiles. Fake profiles are often used by bots and people running scams on Tinder.

Fake profiles usually have a few warning signs to look out for. These include very little to no information in the bio and pictures that look like stock images.

Make sure you're up-to-date with the warning signs of an online dating scammer. It's better to err on the side of caution when matching up with people on the app.

Get Matches on Tinder the Right Way

Tinder can be a great way to get back into the dating game and meet new people. But there are mistakes you should avoid so that you start your matches off on the right foot.

Hopefully these tips can help you on your Tinder dating journey.