Researchers say people looking for romantic relationships can expect an upcoming soon if they present themselves the right way in their profile photos.
A team of psychologists at the Open University of Catalonia (Barcelona) analyzed photos posted by Tinder users in their profiles. The researchers identified nine types of images that show up most often. They explained what those shots can reveal about a person and how, in that light, those images can hinder finding a partner, the Daily Mail reports.
So it’s never too late to take the experts’ interpretations on board and swap your photo to match your expectations.
“All Tinder profiles look the same, and that pushed me to figure out what’s going on,” said lead researcher Alejandro García Alaman.
What your dating app photo says about you
Overall, the team looked at 1,000 real profiles of Barcelona residents. The study results, published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, showed that most users picked one of nine visual strategies.
The team says these strategies reflect less who we really are and more who we think we have to be to be loved.
“Choosing a strategy based on social desirability robs us of authenticity and blurs our individuality,” said Dr. García Alaman. So what are those strategies?
Waist-up portrait: the most neutral and socially acceptable option for self-presentation.
Casual pose: appears spontaneous and comes across as friendly.
Close-up (selfie): can suggest dissatisfaction with one’s body.
Full-body shot: most often posted by heterosexual, self-confident women.
Sunglasses: signal a desire to protect oneself or to hide.
Photos in nature: signal activity, health, and a connection to the outdoors.
Revealing photo with significant nudity: often indicates a search for casual hookups.
Neutral placeholder with a quote or landscape: often used by older people to avoid drawing attention to an aging body.
Photos of isolated body parts: essentially convey nothing and stem from a desire to hide one’s appearance.
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Photos with a “high level of nudity” made up 10 percent of the sample, which contrasts with Tinder’s reputation as a platform for casual hookups.
The team said young people, especially , usually show more exposed areas of their bodies in photos. As people age, nudity in photos decreases. But there’s an exception — people aged 30–39 often put their assets on display.
“This is a transitional period between youth and maturity during which the drive to boost self-esteem and improve appearance persists,” researchers say.
One of the most popular image types was the waist-up portrait: one in four users chose it.
Women in their profile photos often smiled and posed in revealing clothing, while emphasized their love of nature and active lifestyles.
Dr. García Alaman believes that beyond showing physical attractiveness, a photo can carry a subtle, hidden message. For example, an image can hint at a person’s , social standing, or professional success.
“Your profile should first and foremost appeal to you and reflect your personality. If you want to add a bit of authenticity, show something a little unusual — something that’s truly yours,” he said.
