How Do I Use Tinder To Find A Relationship?

Medically reviewed by Nikki Ciletti
Updated March 22, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team

Tinder may be one of the most well-known and widely used dating platforms currently on the market, and it’s not just for young adults. Optimizing your Tinder profile can help you find more compatible matches, which can increase your odds of finding a serious relationship through the app. It’s generally recommended to choose a high-quality profile picture and add other pictures that can show others who you are. You might take the time to craft an accurate, concise, and intriguing bio, as well as note any information about your education, career, or accomplishments that may show others you could be a good relationship partner. If you’re experiencing challenges related to dating and romantic relationships, working with a therapist in person or online may be beneficial.

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Are you ready for a relationship?

What is the Tinder dating app?

In general, Tinder is a location-based dating app with a minimum age requirement of 18. Using the app, individuals can find potential matches in the local area, select those they like the most, pass on people who don't catch their attention, and chat with those who are interested in them. There’s also a Tinder Explore feature that helps you find people with similar interests to you. 

Tinder is typically simple to use and has a web-based application for users who do not have a mobile device. Tinder launched in 2012. Although there are plenty of free users, there are also membership tiers: Tinder Plus, Tinder Gold, and Tinder Platinum. Here’s what you need to know after you download Tinder.

Occasionally, the app offers events like Swipe Night, an interactive event where members swipe to move a story forward. Their choices also impact who they match with at the end of the journey.

Features available on Tinder Gold, Plus, and Platinum

  • Upon opening the popular dating app Tinder, the front page will normally display users in your area depending on your sexual orientation, age range, and distance limits. The number of users displayed may increase, decrease, and change as you swipe through these users and new ones arrive in the area.
  • If you find someone you might be interested in, you can click on a user's profile picture and scroll down to read their profile and learn more about them.
  • If you like someone, you can swipe right on their photo or press the green “check” button.
  • If you aren't interested in certain Tinder profiles, you can swipe left on their photo or press the red “X” button.
  • If you are very interested in someone, you can press the blue heart in the middle. 
  • When two users swipe right on one another, it’s a match, and Tinder notifies both parties so they can begin to communicate.

Tinder and other dating apps tips to attract more potential partners

There are generally some common formulas used on dating sites to help people land more dates and find success in their dating lives, whether you’re a free user or have an upgraded account. Here are some of the most common tips for dating app users seeking to attract more potential partners, which may increase the chances of finding a relationship.

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1. Leave a good impression with a great profile picture on your Tinder account

Users swipe for a variety of reasons, but you may be familiar with the types of profile pictures that often lead people to swipe left or “pass” on a profile. For example, shirtless profile pictures, fuzzy profile pictures, and pictures with a large group of people usually fall into this category. You can leave a good impression on the other users on the app by taking a clear, semi-professional profile picture that gives them an idea of who you are. Smiles often perform better than serious expressions!

2. Follow up your main Tinder picture with others of equal quality

Whether you use the paid or free version, Tinder typically gives you the opportunity to fill your profile with more than one profile picture, and you can seize this opportunity to improve your chances of landing a date. In fact, it's usually recommended that you use these additional photos to show off some of your favorite hobbies.

If you like playing frisbee on the beach, you might capture a clear photo that shows you doing exactly that. Photos that help people learn more about you can inspire a better connection. It can also be great to use these additional pictures for photos with friends, families, and pets.

3. Write a brilliant Tinder bio section (short, sweet, and polite)

The bio section of any dating profile may hold the most importance. Through reading your bio, people can learn 3. more about who you are, your gender identity, what you like to do, and what type of person you are looking for. People might not want to read an entire autobiography when they click on your profile picture, though. They may just want to know a little about who you are as an individual and what you are looking for if they choose to date you. Try to use common sense when you are crafting this portion of your profile. You may want to avoid being too negative, direct, or desperate. Also, not that you cannot place external links in your Tinder profile. So, if you add links to your social media accounts, the app will remove them.

4. Be realistic in both your photos and your description

There may be nothing more disappointing than reading a profile or seeing a picture on a dating app and then meeting someone in real life, only to discover that they are not quite who you expected them to be. Yes, it may be helpful to focus on some of your best traits, and you probably want to impress your potential dating partners. However, as a general rule, you should never mislead someone else through fake or deceptive profile pictures and descriptions. That may be the quickest way to end a potential relationship before it even begins.

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Are you ready for a relationship?

Include job information and any other information that will improve your status

Although people may not judge you solely on your profession, education, or status in society, it can help to add this type of information to your profile. Make sure to include your current job and any other information that says, "Hey, I am a mature adult who has worked very hard to get to where I am in my life." This type of information on the most popular dating app may impress people with a mutual interest and encourage them to swipe right!

No matter how much effort you spend building a profile, however, it may all come down to chemistry and connectivity. You can have the most dates out of anyone on the platform, but that's usually no guarantee that these dates will lead to something permanent. That’s why it can be helpful to work with a licensed professional to ensure you’re ready for a relationship.

Seeking professional support

Dating and serious relationships are often challenging. If you’re experiencing any difficulties in this area of your life, it may be beneficial to seek support from a licensed therapist. Still, a clinical office setting may not always be the most comfortable environment for talking about your love life. Some people prefer a less intimidating setting, such as the one provided by online therapy platforms. 

With online therapy, you can discuss details of your dating life and relationship history from the comfort of your home, which can make you feel more at ease while opening up about potentially vulnerable subjects. Plus, scheduling online sessions can be more convenient, as you can typically set appointments outside of typical office hours. 

Although more research may be needed regarding the efficacy of online therapy for online dating success, a growing body of evidence generally suggests that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy in addressing and treating a wide variety of mental health disorders and concerns.

Takeaway

In general, Tinder is one of the most popular dating apps that you may use to find a relationship. In order to optimize your profile, be sure to select a high-quality profile picture and write a short, accurate bio for your Tinder account to let potential partners know who you are. It can be helpful to include information about your education and career in your bio. Take advantage of the opportunity to add additional photos to your profile, and consider choosing pictures that show off your hobbies and pets. If you’ve run into difficulties in the dating arena or have problems making meaningful connections, a licensed therapist may help you work through them.
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