Your profile is all set and you're excited to see who you match with. You spend a couple of days swiping on all the hot women in your city, and you wait patiently for that notification that you got a match. But it's been days, and the only notifications you're getting are from gag accounts and your work email. Now you're starting to wonder, “why am I not getting matches on Tinder?” It can happen sometimes and there are so many reasons why.
In this article, I'll walk you through some of the factors that affect your Tinder experience. So don't worry; you're not getting matches not because no one likes you. You need to get to know the Tinder algorithm a little better to help you find all those matches. Here's what you need to know:
Why Am I Not Getting Matches on Tinder?
Tinder can be a difficult platform for some men and women. If you go through all these steps and still find you aren’t landing matches, it might be time to maximize your potential. We’ve reviewed the best hookup apps and websites so you have the best chance of finding a partner.
If you’re riding with Tinder still, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances. It involves a lot of experimenting with your profile, photos and how you respond to the matches you do get.
It’s a lot of fun experimenting with your profile and it’s also interesting to see a glimpse of Tinder’s algorithm.
We tend to think of Tinder as a game of chance and a lack of matches is just bad luck. That couldn’t be further from the truth but I think that’s actually a good thing. Since we have the ability to influence the outcome, we aren’t at the mercy of lady luck.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to get more Tinder matches.
YOU MIGHT BE USING THE WRONG APP
We tend to think of Tinder as a game of chance and a lack of matches is just bad luck. That couldn’t be further from the truth but I think that’s actually a good thing. Since we have the ability to influence the outcome, we aren’t at the mercy of lady luck.
There is no denying that Tinder is incredibly popular but that doesn't mean it's the best option for you (or even a good option). Before you invest a lot of time and energy into your Tinder profile you need to consider your options.
There has been a lot of research done on Tinder over the past year or two and it's become clear that the best looking 10-15% of men get 80-90% of the attention from the women on Tinder. That's just nuts! If you're not in that group don't be surprised if things have been rough for you.
Fortunately, you have some options depending on what you're looking for:
#1 - If you really want a relationship check out our rankings of the best dating apps right now
#2 - If you just want something casual try out the best hookup apps for regular guys
Tinder might be your best option but it pays to look around.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to get more Tinder matches.
Apps Dating Experts Actually Recommend
Whether it's your first real relationship or you have a string in your past there are a few apps that dating experts recommend consistently. These are apps where you can meet great girls that want something long-term as well as those just looking to keep it casual:
| Site | Our Experience | Our Rating | Free Trial Link |
|---|---|---|---|
Best For Relationships  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try eHarmony |
Best For Casual Fun  | Experience Highlights
| 9 | Try AFF For Free |
Great If You're Handsome  | Tinder Highlights
| 8 | Try Tinder |
Your Elo score
Tinder is a business and so it’s in their best interests to present relevant matches to their users. How do they do this? An algorithm.
You’re given a score based on your actions and the actions of those you’re presented to. This score then determines a large part of your success. It can be easy to lower your score without realizing it and maybe that’s why you’re left asking “Why am I not getting matches on Tinder?”. That’s okay though -- raising that score can be just as easy once you understand it.
It’s referred to as an Elo score, named after its creator Arpad Elo. It’s generally used in gaming to calculate relative skill level to other users. In the context of Tinder, think of it as calculating the relative desirability of a profile. Basically, how likely it is that someone will swipe right on and interact with you based on your profile as a whole.
Tinder doesn’t disclose exactly what goes into this algorithm. What we do know is it’s about signals of desirability. If women with high Elo scores are regularly swiping right on you, we can expect that’s going to improve your score significantly. Even more so if you’re having actual conversations with these matches.
That means improving your bio, your profile, how you respond to the matches you do get, and most importantly, not swiping on literally every woman.
Limit your swiping by being realistic
If you max out your swipes every day but get no matches, you’re hurting more than just your ego.
If you have a tendency to swipe right on every profile out of frustration, that’s the first thing for you to fix. Consider the likelihood of matching with the women you’re swiping on. I’m all for self-confidence and the idea that there are no ‘leagues.’ With that said, there are some limits to that on Tinder and you likely know what your realistic options are.
For example, I have a friend that’s of average attractiveness with a mediocre profile. He’ll only ever swipe right on women who look like they belong in a Victoria’s Secret catalog. His matches are few and far between accordingly.
I guess what I’m saying is that while nobody is off limits based on aesthetics, accepting only the hottest women on Tinder is hurting you.
Want to know how to improve your score? Just improve the way you interact. Work on creating a better profile, only swipe right on women you want to meet and make sure you know how to talk to women in Tinder!
Tinder doesn’t have much interest in flooding your inbox with matches when it’s clear they’ll go ignored. If you’re anxious about this side of things, check out my article on how to talk to women on Tinder.
By doing this, you’ll improve your score meaning Tinder exposes you to a greater number of quality women.
It really is that simple. Now, time to take a look at your profile and what you can do to improve it.
Check your location settings
This can be the least obvious reason but it’s true. Just because Tinder is the #1 dating app on the planet, doesn’t mean it’s everywhere. Some cities are too small for Tinder it’ll only take you 30 minutes to swipe through almost every girl on the app.
Some countries favor other apps over Tinder as well. In Colombia, you’re more likely to find more quality women on Bumble than on Tinder. It’s just how things are. Being the most popular app makes Tinder more susceptible to spammers and scammers, especially outside America and Europe, which can be the reason you’re not getting matches on Tinder.
So let’s start with the easiest factor to change. Check your location settings to make sure they aren’t holding you back. Setting your range to just one mile might seem like a good idea, particularly if you live in a big city. Instead, I’d suggest expanding it so you have more potential matches to choose from.
I live downtown in a reasonably sized city and set my range to 10 miles. It seems to be a good balance where I never run out of options but I also don’t have to travel long distances for a date.
Look over your profile
Tinder will tell you if your profile has been deactivated but make sure it’s also set up correctly. Check that your photos and bio text are still there. For so many who ask “why am I not getting matches on Tinder?”, the answer is somewhere in their profile setup.
Just skimming through your profile settings may give you some hints. I’ve definitely seen a few instances where friends had set someone’s profile to “seeking men” as a joke!
Some men also don’t realize that they should change their photos according to where they live. Girls can throw in a couple of bikini photos and get matches almost everywhere in the world. But that doesn’t work for men. Who you compete with will determine the quality of your matches. Tinder Bali or Medellin is completely different from Tinder Dubai and Barcelona. Girls tend to be pickier in the latter and men tend to be hotter and more well-rounded.
More on that later...
Think about your age range
There’s no such thing as a right or wrong age range but it can limit your match volume. Think about it this way -- how many matches do you think a 55-year-old man is getting with his age range set to 18 - 19?
Setting the range higher to see older women can be a whole lot of fun. Setting it much lower than you though . . . often not so wise.
Are your photos swipe-worthy?
At its core, Tinder is a very shallow and fast-paced app. That means that having just one low-quality photo will result in very few matches if any. Likewise having a few good photos can help you win on Tinder.
They’re the first thing women will use to decide if they want to talk to you or not. This makes them critical to getting matches and raising your Elo score. It also makes it your first opportunity to demonstrate who you are.
While we’ve broken down in more specifics how to utilize photos on Tinder, it’s a pretty simple concept overall.
Put your best foot forward and show off your most attractive assets. If you have a great sense of humor, funny photos are an excellent option. Maybe you’re a regular traveler and have some great shots from around the world.
Quality photos give her a reason to pay attention to you when swiping. They also make for easy conversation once you get that match. Besides, with everyone having a high-quality camera in their pocket these days, there’s no excuse not to!
So don't add photos in non-fitting, non-matching clothes. Boring places. Group photos with lots of hotter (or lame) friends. Lame activities. Old pixelated photos. Shirtless photos where you clearly don't work out. And staged photos that scream “I had to book this photo session to get laid.”
How does your bio look?
Your bio plays a big role in meeting women on Tinder. The biggest key is to make sure yours demonstrates who you are. Whether you go with a more detailed approach or a short, witty comment, one thing is for sure. Even the most basic of bios is a vast improvement on a blank one.
They can help in the swiping process but a strong bio is most important when it comes to having a conversation.
If you want a far more detailed look at writing a good Tinder bio, we’ve got you covered.
The dreaded shadowban
Ever noticed that when you tend to get better matches the moment you reset Tinder? That’s because Tinder often gives all new users a boost for the first few hours until it figures out their proper rate.
For example, when a 6/10 guy signs up, Tinder – who is still clueless about the guy’s rate - will show him 7s, 8s, 9s, and maybe 10s to swipe on. If those girls don’t match with him, Tinder will rate him at 6 and send him girls close to his score. On the other hand, if those 8s, and 9s swipe right on him, his Tinder score will increase and the app will send him more of those he matched with.
So, what’s the catch?
Many guys took advantage of this so-called “glitch” and began deleting, and re-creating their accounts to get better matches.
What did Tinder do?
Tinder banned those guys without telling them. They kept using the app – some even kept paying for premium – but it messed up their scores so bad they no longer got good matches, not even average ones. And the worst part? These guys never knew they were banned until they saw their friends having the same problem.
What To Do If You’re Getting No Matches On Tinder
So, you’re getting no matches on Tinder?
Well, that’s not the end of the world. We’ve all been there, and that’s how we learned what works and what doesn’t. I was shadow-banned myself for almost six months and all I could match with were psychos and guys who were clearly being pranked.
I remember the only hot chick I got during that period was an English girl from Stoke who offered to get me coke – as in cocaine – before the date and dropped four beers in her surprisingly small belly less than 20 minutes after sitting together. So, don’t feel desperate, you’ll get your share of good women if you do the work, or you’ll have to find a good escaping plan when girls from Stoke come knocking on your door.
Below, are a few good ways to help you overcome the online trap and get more matches on Tinder in a very short time.
1. Never delete your Tinder account more than twice
The more you do it, the more your chances of getting shadow-banned will become. If you think you’re not getting enough matches on Tinder and want more/better, then build a better profile, and/or pay for a boost or two every other week. These are enough to get you a solid stream of matches over time.
If, however, you think Tinder has shadow-banned you, then the only way out of it is this:
- Delete Tinder permanently
- Delete all the photos you used on your previous Tinder profile (Tinder keeps track of those with its face recognition tools)
- Get a new sim card
- Use a different credit card (if you’ll pay for Tinder)
- You’ll need a new Facebook and/or Instagram account in case you connected your previous Tinder account with one or both of them
Some people claim you’ll need a new phone but nothing proves it, so just stick to the tips I just mentioned. Sounds tiring? It is. But that’s the only way to reset your Tinder score and get better matches.
2. Get better photos
Duh!!! Ask women to rate your Tinder photos or use a tool like PhotoFeeler (the paid version) to get honest feedback on your photos. If they say they’re not working, consider reading our latest guide on how to choose the best photos for your Tinder profile, then book a photo session with a solid photographer. Also consider working out, losing weight, grooming your hair/beard, and upgrading your wardrobe to look better in the new photos.
Your photos should convey that you’re:
- Good looking: Of course, the hotter the better, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t get by with a regular dad bod. I’ve seen many guys score from Tinder, including myself before I ever had my six-pack. It’s just about showing the girl that you take care of yourself and finding the right angle for your shot. Dressing well also adds to your overall score. A good tux on a well-groomed face can do wonders to your score. Women like high-status men, and if you can make your pictures speak value to women, you’ll never complain about not getting matches on Tinder.
- A potential suitor: Some girls will insist on dating a guy who makes more than she does, while others won’t care as long as you look hot and cool. Guys who get many matches consistently handle this provider part by showing status. This can be anything from simply wearing a nice suit to taking a photo in a classy restaurant or bar. You can also throw in a photo with your pet dog or cat. Animal photos give the impression of safety and the ability to provide because if you’re good enough to raise a dog, you’re good enough to be around children.
- Safety: She doesn’t wanna go out with a serial killer, so looking like a pimp in your photos will harm your score without you even realizing it. One of the reasons you're screaming, "why am I not getting matches on Tinder?!" is that you don’t smile in your photos.
I figured this out one day when a girl said she won’t go out with me until I send her a photo of my teeth (lol!). She said she was worried that if I didn’t smile much in my photos that I may have crooked teeth.
That was a bad experience she had before and didn’t wanna have again. Of course, I used that situation to further make her like me (I also had my teeth whitened a week earlier and wanted to show off) so we talked on Messenger for like half an hour then went on a date on the same day.
3. Consider using other alternatives
As I said, Tinder is great, but it’s not the only one. There are other sites, including Bumble, Hinge, eHarmony where you can have success with beautiful women. Here’s a list of the best dating sites and apps you can use to meet and date beautiful women near you.
4. Go premium
Is Tinder Gold worth it? It depends on what your definition of "worth it" is. While Tinder is generally free, it will still give you lots of useful perks if you spend money on the app. It tells the app, "Hey, I'm serious about finding a date. Help me out here." And nine times out of ten, Tinder delivers. So if you think your Tinder profile is being ignored in favor of guys who can effortlessly get matches, we suggest paying up.
Time to go and put these things into practice and see the improvement for yourself. With a more swipeable profile and an elevated Elo score, you’re going to see more matches. “Why am I not getting matches on Tinder?” will become a question of the past.
As always, give these tips a try and make sure you let us know how you go. And if you feel like, despite following our tips, you still can't find any good matches, you might consider trying some other alternatives to Tinder. After all, with so many dating apps and sites out there these days, there's bound to be one that will work for your specific tastes!
