What to Do When You Have No Matches (and Why It’s Not Your Fault)

Dating apps can feel brutal. You put yourself out there, swipe, wait, refresh… and nothing. No matches. Not even a “maybe.” Nothing. It’s frustrating, confusing, and...let’s be honest...a little demoralizing. But here’s the thing: it’s not your fault.

Before you assume you’re doomed to a life of eternal swiping purgatory, let’s break this down. Because the problem isn’t you...it’s how dating apps work, how your profile presents you, and a few tweaks that can make all the difference.

Let’s get into it.

How to Get More Matches Right Now

If you want more matches, you need to do three things:

1. Fix your first photo – This is the only thing people see before deciding if they’ll even check your bio. Period. End. Fin. No questions.
2. Make your bio feel like an invitation, not a résumé – No one is hiring you for a job. They want to feel like they want to be part of your world. 
3. Optimize for the algorithm – Apps don’t just show your profile to everyone. If your engagement is low, your profile gets buried. Sucks? Yes. What you needed to hear? Probably Yes.

Let’s go deeper.

Why It’s Not Your Fault (and How the Algorithm Works Against You)

To give you a little background and context first, I want to talk very briefly about the algorithm. If you’re not getting matches, here’s what might be happening behind the scenes:

• Your profile isn’t getting shown – Obvious, I know...keep reading. Dating apps prioritize profiles that get engagement. If you’re not getting enough swipes or messages, the app likely isn't putting you in front of as many people.
• You’re competing with inactive users & bots – Some apps have tons of "ghost" profiles that make the pool seem larger than it actually is.
• Swipe-decay is real – If you swipe too much or too little, the app may assume you’re either desperate or inactive and limit your reach.

Bottom line? Dating apps aren’t designed to help you find love overnight. They’re designed to keep you swiping. Let me repeat that again for everyone:

Dating apps are designed to keep you swiping. Don't forget that.

But there’s a way to beat the system.

The 3 Must-Haves for Your Profile to Get Seen and Matched

1. Your First Photo Must Stop the Scroll

Your first photo is your hook. People swipe in seconds, and if your photo doesn’t grab attention, they’ll never even read your bio.

What works:

• Clear, high-quality, well-lit photos (no grainy, dark, or blurry shots).
• You should be the focus...not a group shot, not sunglasses, not a weird filter. I'm going to say that first part one more time. NO. GROUP. PHOTOS.
• Natural, genuine expressions—smiling candidly beats a forced pose every time. I promise.
• No mirror selfies. Just… don’t. If you say "But what about x, y, z...." Nope. I'm sorry. 

🚫 What doesn’t work:

• A low-quality or unflattering picture (yes, it matters).
• Hiding behind sunglasses, hats, or a bathroom mirror selfie.
• A group pic where no one knows which person you are.

I want you to think of your first photo is like a movie trailer...if it doesn’t get them interested, they’re not watching the whole film.

2. A Bio That Sparks Interest (Not a Resume)

Your bio is NOT a place to list out your job, your hobbies, and your love for tacos. Everyone loves tacos. That's not special or unique. You know what is? Your hobby of collecting diner mugs while thrift shopping. 

What works:

• Inject personality. Show your sense of humor, quirks, or what makes you fun. More blog posts on this here.
• Use storytelling. Instead of saying “I love hiking,” say, “Once hiked 10 miles for the world’s best slide of pizza. Worth it.”
• Keep it swipe-friendly. Short, snappy sentences work better than a giant wall of text. Remember, this is a movie trailer.

What doesn’t work:

• Generic, overused phrases like “I love to travel” or “Looking for my partner in crime.”
• Listing adjectives: “Kind, fun, loyal, adventurous.” That’s not a bio; that’s a checklist. Stop this. No one likes this. I promise.
• Writing nothing at all. Blank profiles are a hard no. (I'm sorry I even have to write this one.)

Here’s an example of a bad bio:

“I like movies, travel, and working out. Looking for someone who is kind, funny, and smart.”

Boring. Everyone could say that.

Now, here’s an example of a great bio:

“Weekend road trips, spontaneous karaoke, and debating the best pizza topping (it’s pepperoni, fight me). If you love bad puns and good whiskey, let’s talk.”

See the difference? The second one feels like a real person and invites engagement.

3. A Swipe-Friendly Bio Format

Keep your bio punchy and easy to read. People skim, so structure matters.

• First line: A catchy statement (“Fluent in sarcasm & weekend adventures.”)
• Middle line: Something unique (“Ask me about the time I met [insert celebrity name here] at an airport sushi bar.”)
• Closing line: A call-to-action (“Message me if you can beat me at Mario Kart.”)

This structure makes it effortless for someone to message you. Make it as easy for them to reply as possible.

What to Do If You’re Still Getting No Matches

• Test & tweak. Change one thing at a time. Photo first, then bio if needed, and then prompts if needed. See what works. Think of it as A/B testing.
• Update your photos. If your best picture is from five years ago, it’s time for a new one. Find your closest friend with a camera and go around your town taking at least 100 pictures. One of them will be good enough.
• Ask for feedback. A trusted friend (WHO IS THE TYPE OF PERSON YOU WANT TO DATE) can help point out what you’re missing.

Final Thoughts – Don’t Take It Personally

I know that my tone in this advice may have come off as a bit brash. I'm sorry for that. I truly am. But if anything resonated with you on the above, I believe that it was worth it. I want to leave you with this if you're still not having luck getting matches. It’s not a reflection of your worth. Dating apps are a game of visibility and optimization.

Tweak, test, and put yourself out there. The right people will notice. I believe in you.

Want to take your dating game to the next level? If you’ve found this post helpful, Beyond the Match dives even deeper...giving you the tools to build real, lasting connections without the guesswork. No gimmicks, no pickup tricks. Just proven strategies to attract what truly matters. Get instant access and start transforming your dating life today.