Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat, Jill O'Sullivan
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
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Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat, Jill O'Sullivan
Feb 27, 2026
To attract the right person on a dating app, your profile should clearly show who you are, what you enjoy, and what kind of connection you’re looking for. Use recent photos, specific details, and easy conversation starters to help compatible people understand your vibe and know how to approach you.
Photos help make the first impression, while your bio, prompts, and relationship intentions help people decide whether you might be a good match. Here’s what to include in a dating profile that feels clear, warm, and genuinely like you.
Your main photo should make it easy to recognize you. A good dating profile headshot shows your face clearly, looks like you today, and avoids distracting backgrounds or heavy filters.
Strong, clear, warm. That’s the winning energy.
A recent full-body photo gives matches a better sense of your style and how you present yourself in everyday life. Choose something that feels natural rather than overly posed.
If you’re a boots-and-jeans lesbian, show that. If you’re a soft cardigan-and-sneakers type, lean in.
Candid beats stiff. A friend snapping you mid-laugh can feel more natural than an awkward tripod stare.
You’re not modeling. You’re signaling “this is me in real life.”
A hobby or activity photo gives people an immediate conversation starter and shows something you genuinely enjoy.
Small, everyday hobbies are perfect. You don’t need to be rock climbing in Patagonia, although if you’re doing that, that’s sick as hell and we do want those pics.
A hobby photo also gives matches easy conversation starters:
Show, don’t tell.
Pet photos can be great conversation starters if your pet is genuinely part of your life.
Dog. Cat. Snake. Gecko. Houseplant that you’re GOING to keep alive this time (we believe in you!). If it feels like you, it belongs.
If you include a social photo:
A good social photo shows you clearly with one or two other people, without making someone guess which person in the photo is you.
Approachability is attractive. Goofy smiles count. We wanna see what lights you up.
A strong dating profile bio is short enough to scan but specific enough to give someone a reason to message you. One to three sentences can work well if they show your interests, personality, and what kind of connection you’re looking for.
Instead of: “Fun, loyal, love adventures.”
Try: “Book-obsessed storm-watcher seeking someone who debates film endings and owns at least one oversized thrifted coat.”
Stay positive. Say what you want, not what you hate.
Update your profile when your photos, interests, location, or dating intentions change.
Clarity and specificity usually tell someone more about you than generic adjectives like “fun” or “adventurous.”
Good dating prompts give someone an easy opening to respond to while revealing something specific about your personality.
Swap adjectives for anecdotes:
Instead of “I’m funny,” try:
“I once won a trivia round entirely because I knew too much about lesbian cinema.”
End at least one prompt with a question:
Make it easy to reply. Effortless beats intimidating.
This is where people can get shy, but clarity helps.
Stating what you’re looking for can make it easier for people with compatible intentions to recognize a potential match.
Relationship intent is a simple statement about the kind of connection you’re currently open to, such as casual dating, a relationship, friendship, or queerplatonic connection.
Trust matters, especially in queer dating spaces.
Verification and privacy tools can give you more control over how you connect, but they do not guarantee that another person is safe or trustworthy. Use the profile verification, block and report controls, and privacy settings currently available on HER that fit your comfort level.
Safety awareness is a green flag. For more support, see HER’s dating safety tips.
A little location or availability context can make it easier for someone to understand whether meeting up is realistic. You do not need to share your exact neighborhood, workplace, or routine.
Instead of just listing your city, add context:
“Based in Oakland, usually free for weekday coffee.”
“Brooklyn, usually free Saturdays for chill hangs.”
Sharing the kinds of dates you enjoy can make it easier for someone to suggest a plan that actually suits you.
End with a simple invitation that gives someone an obvious way to start a conversation.
A clear conversation starter removes some of the pressure of figuring out what to message first, which can be especially helpful for shy daters.
Include enough recent photos to show your face clearly, your general style, and at least one genuine interest or activity. A mix might include a headshot, full-body photo, hobby photo, and optional pet or social photo.
A good dating profile prompt is specific, personal, and easy to respond to. Use a mini-story, opinion, playful question, or small challenge that gives matches something concrete to message you about.
Sharing your relationship intentions helps people understand whether your goals are compatible before either of you invests heavily in the conversation.
Share a few specific interests, preferences, or mini-stories that show your personality while keeping sensitive details private until trust develops. You do not need to share your exact address, workplace, daily routine, or deeply personal history in your profile.
Look for profile verification, clear block and report tools, privacy controls, and settings that let you manage who can see or contact you. Safety tools can add useful layers of control, but no feature guarantees that another person is safe.
Write one to three specific sentences that show your personality, a few interests, and what kind of connection you’re looking for. Give someone at least one easy detail they can respond to.
Share identity labels if they feel useful and comfortable to you. On LGBTQ+-focused apps, profile fields, Pride Pins, or other identity options may let you communicate this without using valuable bio space.
Further reading on creating a dating profile
Crafting the Perfect Dating Profile: Tips From a Dating Coach
14 Online Dating Profile Tips to Help You Land the Relationship You Want
Which Photos Make The Best Dating Profile Pictures Ever
Robyn Exton, Mook Phanpinit, Jessica Serviat, Jill O'Sullivan
Robyn is the CEO & Founder of HER. Find her on Twitter.
