UrbanUpdate

Tinder isn't that unlike any other method of picking up girls. Women are looking for pretty simple things here: a nice, normal-looking dude in a sea of douchebags. That's it. The tricky part is, it's online dating, which means ladies are coming into it with some serious skepticism. Plus, you've got much less time and space to make an impression: a few pictures, a little bit of text, and that's it. If you've been living a tired and matchless existence, here are some tips on how not to blow it.

···Photos:

Do:

Have at least three pictures. One or two is not enough to convince usof what you really look like.Choose pictures that are in focus. It sounds obvious, but it'samazing how many guys miss this simple cue. Tinder is an aestheticexperience, and that weird blurry shot is not helping anyone.Be a pal and smile for the camera. For all of you attempting to pulloff Blue Steel in every one your pictures, here's a little secret:dating is supposed to be fun. She's not interested in meeting upwith someone who either takes themselves way too seriously, or ishiding some seriously messed up teeth.Show off your interests. Unless that interest is biking. Nobody everlooked good in spandex shorts and a helmet.Take advantage of furry friends. It's low-hanging fruit, but if youown a dog or have a friend who does ”take a nice picture with it. Icannot tell you how many times my friends and I have swiped right ona guy we were on the fence about because "Aww, he likes animals!"Note: This does not apply to reptiles or rodents.

Don't:

Go overboard trying to be quirky. Remember: nice, normal-lookingdude. Not a dude who appears to live in Halloween costumes. Not adude who is making crazy hand gestures in every picture. And for thelove of God, it is outright impossible to appear fuck-able in any ofthe following: flip-flops, headlamps, acid-wash jeans, or oversizedsunglasses. A good rule of thumb is this: If you wouldn't wear it outto a bar, it shouldn't be in your Tinder profile.Go shirtless! Even if you have a nice body. It's just one of thosethings we'd like to be pleasantly surprised by in person, like guyswho still open doors for girls.Try and show off with macho hobbies you tried that one time onvacation. Bro, I lived in San Diego. There is nothing sexy aboutthat pic of you in a rented rash guard lugging around a beat-up foamboard.Get lost in the crowd. We understand that the camera often only comesout at group functions especially with a bunch of ladies present ”butif I can't figure out which guy I'm supposed to be checking out, orwhether you've already banged that girl hugging you like your herprom date, I'm gonna pass. Stick to solo shots if you can. A wingmanhere and there is fine ”as long as it's not the same one in everypicture, or it might get confusing.Profile Text:

Do:

Keep it simple. A few words is fine, i.e. "Manhattan, Med School, DogLover." And honestly, if you can't think of anything to say, leave itblank. She's focusing on your pictures anyway, and it'll give herplenty to ask about in a conversation.Give some helpful details. Height is a useful one, and an Instagramaccount or Twitter handle is a nice way for her to get a peek intoyour life without having to commit to a Facebook request.

Don't:

Quote. What is this? Your info box on AIM? No matter how great thatAnchorman/Bob Dylan/Beastie Boys line is, chances are the appeal is going to be too specific for having so little space and context to make a connection.Use Hallmark dating profile lines. It's great if you are "just afun-loving guy looking to meet some new people," but it doesn'treally tell us anything. Again, if you have to default to clichés,better to leave it blank.Making Contact:

Do:

Initiate the conversation. It's just one of the responsibilities ofbeing a man. You get to pee standing up, so you have to make thefirst move. Those aren't necessarily related, but you've got to admitthere's a karmic balance to it.Say something more than "Hi." It makes you sound like a nervouseleven-year-old girl and gives us nowhere to go. "Hi, how's your daygoing?" is a much better alternative.

Don't:

Use emoticons. A recent study found that men who included :) inmessages received 66% fewer responses.Wait too long to ask her out. It's all well and good to get a feelfor someone through some conversation and texting, a little banterhere and there sure, but we've got lives too. If you already knowwhere she lives, works, and studied abroad in college, it's probablytime to suggest a drink or coffee.Get ahead of yourself, either. While "Sunday morning makeout sesh?"is probably my dream text from a boyfriend, it is not a goodopening line from a complete stranger.Call her "sexy". Or be creepy in general. A guy once asked if I likeddancing, which I thought was going to be a cute lead-in to asking meout, only to follow up with the sentiment that he'd "like to get hishands on my frame and feel my body against his." Don't do that.General Tips:

Do:

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GQ RecommendsThe Best Hair Gel for Men Is Spiking Our InterestBy Adrian ClarkLook at all her pictures more than one. Yes, it takes about threemore whole seconds, but girls aren't always pros at Tinder, either,and you never know what bikini-clad photo of her on vacation inHawaii last summer is in the deck.Swipe right when you're on the fence ”if nothing else, to see whatshe thought of you.

Don't:

Spend more than fifteen minutes swiping at a time. Studies have shownoveruse of dating apps makes users overly picky. Reality check?You're likely doing this while eating cereal from the box andwatching Workaholics. Get off your high horse.Tinder on vacation. I found out the hard way after errantly browsingover Christmas, only to kick myself realizing all my beardedmountain-y dream men live in Seattle. For some reason, the app seemsto get backed up on location-based matches and you'll only frustrateyourself later.Forget to keep your eyes peeled in real life. The real beauty ofTinder is that it lets you practice scanning the room and startingconversation with a girls. It's a handy skill to have and one thatshould be translated into real life. Don't forget, all those girls atbars on Friday nights with makeup on are there to meet guys, too.Make eye contact with one, smile, and if she smiles back? Consider ita match.Related Stories for GQTinderDatingRelationshipsSex and Relationships