Yes, Tinder is an always-available, pocket-sized method for finding the person of your dreams – or, at the very least, a regret-free hookup – but the app can be frustrating when you don’t completely understand its functionality. To ensure you get the most out of your experience, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to dating with Tinder.
Here’s everything you need to know, from how to use Tinder to how to get matches, and how to move from the app to the real world:
Contents
- Does Tinder Work for Guys?
- Crafting Your Tinder Profile
- How to Use Tinder
- Frequently Asked Tinder Questions
- Sending the Right First Tinder Message
- Tips for Landing a Tinder Date
- Best Alternatives to Tinder
- More Tinder Info
1. Does Tinder Work for Guys?
The first question on the minds of plenty of guys is, “Does this thing even work!?” The answer is clear: Yes, it does, but that depends on a few key components entirely under your control. That includes your profile, swiping strategy and messaging technique, as well as first clarifying what you even mean by “work.” Let’s take a closer look at how people use Tinder for different outcomes before moving on to some tips for getting matches:
There is some confusion about what Tinder is even for. Is it for serious dating, or just for casual hook ups? The short answer is both: You can use Tinder for a variety of reasons, varying from making friends to something casual to dating with the intention of finding your forever person. While Tinder started life as a hookup app, it’s no longer appropriate to assume that everyone who is using it is looking for sex – some really are just looking to extend their social network.
How Do You Know Why Someone Is on Tinder?
If Tinder is used for so many different purposes, how can you tell whether the person in your match list are looking for friendship, hook ups or serious dating? Well, there are a few key signs and phrases. For example, if you see the phrase “no ONS” on Tinder, that stands for “no one-night stands,” and means that person is unlikely to be interested in casual sex. The same goes for phrases like “no hook ups,” “seeking something serious or long-term” and “no players” – anything along these lines will indicate something more serious. Equally, someone hinting at casual sex or a one-night stand will probably use wording like “no strings” or “casual fun only,” or less explicitly, with phrases like “only here for a good time.”
What Are You Looking For?
You can use Tinder for any of the above reasons, but it pays to be clear with yourself and everyone else; if you know exactly what you’re looking for, you’ll have a better chance of finding it. If you’re not looking for anything more than hooking up, you should make that clear, ideally in your bio (“not looking for anything serious,” “seeking hook ups”) or at least once you start chatting to your matches (more on that below). If you’re looking to date seriously, that should also be immediately evident to anyone interacting with you.
Once you’re clear about what you want and you’ve made sure everyone 
else is, you’re going to need to craft the perfect profile to maximize your chance of getting matches:
2. Crafting Your Tinder Profile
If you’re one of the few remaining singles on Earth still unexperienced with Tinder, the first step is to create the best possible profile with the best possible pictures. Yes, Tinder is largely a looks-based endeavor (most dating apps are) and can sometimes feel superficial for that reason, but remember: It’s not really any different to meeting someone at a party or bar. You tend to approach the people you find physically attractive in real life, and then talk to them to see if there’s a deeper connection, right? It’s the same story with Tinder. Make sure that you’re creating an excellent first impression by following these Tinder photo tips: