Nearly half of couples in committed relationships today met through dating apps, but many users still struggle to select the right profile photo. New research from Kennesaw State University suggests that the quality and style of these photos play a significant role in online dating success.
The study, published in Frontiers in Communication, was led by Minhao Dai, associate professor at Kennesaw State’s School of Communication and Media. Dai examined how aspects such as photo quality, visual richness, and the use of filters affect user perceptions on platforms like Tinder. The results indicate that clear, visually rich images tend to generate more positive reactions and greater interest from potential matches.
“Your picture is pretty much 75 percent of everything,” Dai said. “You only have about 15 seconds to make an impression with five or so photos before someone swipes right or left, and your visuals speak for you before you can even get a chance to speak.”
Dai explained that this phenomenon is connected to the hyperpersonal model of communication theory, which suggests that online impressions can be particularly strong due to limited cues. In dating apps where visuals are the main source of information, their impact is heightened.
“In online dating, you have a very lean media environment,” Dai said. “There are no distractions, no opportunities to show your personality. The focus is on whatever you provide in the visual framing.”
For the research, multiple Tinder profiles were created for both men and women with varying numbers of photos, degrees of blurriness, and levels of enhancement such as filters. Participants then rated these profiles.
A key finding was that filtered or beautified photos improved perceptions of women’s profiles but had little effect on men’s profiles.
“There seems to be an expectation for women to look polished and attractive,” Dai said. “For men, that expectation doesn’t really apply.”
Based on his findings, Dai recommends using several clear images and avoiding blurry photos when creating a profile.
“This not only applies to dating profiles but also to platforms like LinkedIn as well. Don’t think of your photo as just a picture,” Dai said. “It represents you.”
Shilin Xia, coauthor and doctoral student at the University of Maryland, highlighted the broader implications: “As more relationships begin online, understanding how these design elements influence attraction helps us make sense of modern intimacy, shifting gender norms, and the psychology behind online dating,” Xia said.
In another study awaiting publication, Dai analyzed common types of Tinder profile photos with input from graduate students who identified eight popular categories including travel pictures, pet photos, mirror selfies, swimwear shots, formal event images such as weddings, and party scenes.
The research found that women evaluating male profiles preferred pictures suggesting positive personality traits like kindness or reliability—photos featuring dogs or travel were especially effective for men. By contrast, responses to women’s photos focused primarily on physical appearance.
“For the men’s profiles, it’s less about looking perfect and more about signaling who you are,” Dai said. “People used words like ‘kind,’ ‘trustworthy,’ and ‘reliable’ over and over again.”
Dai credited KSU undergraduate and graduate students for shaping much of his research by helping identify trends in dating app behavior.
“This project really showcases our students’ curiosity and ability to do meaningful research,” he said. “They brought the ideas, and I helped guide the science.”
