Tinder Tips For Men: Dating Profile ’Icks’ That Women Hate

Last updated on May 15th, 2024 at 09:39 pm

I write content on this blog about what to write in your dating profile to increase your matches, but it dawned on me that I also need to warn people about what not to write. So, I went to a very popular Facebook group, full of single gals and asked them a simple question: What gives women the ick on a man’s dating profile? The result was a goldmine of bad dating profile examples and priceless tinder tips.

It turned out to be a super popular post and in minutes my phone was blowing up with notifications. Around 150 women answered with their biggest ‘icks’ and turn-offs from a guys dating profile. 

And so now I’m about to share that pure-gold, insider information with you. To help you DOUBLE your matches on Tinder or Bumble and increase your chances of success with your dating app bio overnight.

Are you ready? Let’s start with…

Tinder Tips for Men’s Dating Profile Pictures – Avoid giving her the ‘ick’

These are the top 10 things women said they hate in a mans dating profile picture…

10. Sticking middle fingers up, or drinking and smoking in pictures. Lots of women said they would be put off by a man doing this in his profile pics. There’s just not much that’s appealing about any of those things. Clearly, a more ‘wholesome’ picture of yourself would go down better.

9. A Urinal in the background – it’s just a bit gross really, isn’t it.

8. Gym selfies. This is only number 8 on the top ten list because some girls said they actually don’t mind a gym selfie. But quite a few more said they find them off-putting. Why? Well, either because it makes the guy seem a bit full of himself, or because to be honest, a lot of women just find the gym boring!

7. When you’ve cropped your ex out the pic but we can still see her hand on your knee. Come on lads, you need to do better than this. It’s lazy cropping. And I think the deeper psychology of it is that we don’t want you using pictures of us to nab your next bird after we break up with you! The cheek of it. 

6. Selfies in bed and topless photos.
We think that boys like you only want one thing. And, we fear that you’re probably the type to send an unsolicited d*ck pic. So we’d much prefer it if you put some clothes on, and got up. 

5. Turkey teeth.

I don’t want to personally offend or roast anyone, but this one cropped up a lot. If you don’t know what those are, it’s when someone’s been to Turkey to get cheap veneers. Usually blindingly bright white, and too big for your mouth. Are you taking us on a date tonight or are you eating us whole like a great white shark? 🤷‍♀️ we just don’t know. 

4. Group pics where we don’t know which one is you. Look, we haven’t got time to play Where’s Wally. You’re also just setting us up for disappointment if your mates are all better looking than you. Solo pictures are better all-round. 

3. Kids in pictures. The general consensus is that kids don’t belong in dating profile pictures. Especially if they’re not your own kids. 

2. Extremely tight ankle trousers with loafers and no socks. Please stop with this. Please. 

And the most answered number one thing women can’t stand in a man’s dating profile pic… 

1. Him holding a fish. 

Only ONE woman out of around 150 women who participated, said she would be impressed by a man who can catch a fish. Pretty much every other woman said that they find the actual fish itself repulsive – and the act of catching it? Not attractive at all. So there you have it guys, your number one tinder tip – put the f*cking fish down. 

Dating Profile Pictures : What We’ve Learned

To sum up, from what we’ve learned about the things women don’t like to see, the general good practice would be this:

The best way to present yourself in your dating profile picture is to be on your own in the photo without the distraction of friends or any children. Make sure that you display an appealing representation of yourself by not including alcohol or cigarettes, being properly dressed, and in a pleasant environment. Do NOT include any fish in your picture – no matter how big your catch. 

Top 10 Phrases You Shouldn’t Include In Your Dating Profile Bio

10. “Back again.” Oh are you? What do you keep doing wrong… 

9. “Don’t want a girl who takes herself too seriously” This is something that gets said a lot on mens profiles, but it seems like quite an odd thing to say. What does it mean? You want a girl who’s underachieving in life or doesn’t take care of herself…? Or a girl who lets people walk all over her? If what you meant was, that you want a girl with a sense of humour, then say that. ‘Taking yourself seriously’ isn’t a bad thing.

8. “Sick of being messed around” Are you ok hun? Sounding a bit bitter there…

7. “Looking for a partner in crime” It’s just a little over-said. Try to be a bit more real about what you want instead of using cliche’s or well-used sayings.

6. Spelling things wrong or using too many swear words. You thug, you.

5. “Not my kid in the pic” Who’s child is that then?? Where’s the logic in using someone else’s child for your dating site bio…

4. Listing things you don’t want in a woman. This comes off as rude, negative and passive aggressive. Remember – you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar. Be sweet.

3. “Don’t match if you’re not gonna talk” Hey man, don’t tell me what to do. 

2. “Add me on snap” Oh okay, so you’re just here for nudes… hear ya loud and clear.

1. “I’ve got a job and a car and a house.” Congratulations, the absolute basics, then!

Dating Profile Bio Writing Tips

Based on what we’ve learned above, about the things women find off-putting, here’s a condensed version of these tinder tips and some boiled-down good advice on what you should write in your bio. 

The more genuine your profile, the better. Stay away from cliche sayings and quotes, and try to add your own personality into your bio rather than just bland facts. Saying negative things about women is a definite no-no, and don’t give off bad boy energy by saying you only want to chat on Snap or Instagram.

So there you have it! Now you know 20 tinder tips and clear things not to do in your dating profile and as a result, you can make some improvements. When you pair them up with these other articles of Bumble Dating Profile Examples for men and Tinder Dating Bio Examples (especially helpful for single dads) you’ll be doubling your matches in no time!