Online dating is more competitive than ever. Whether you’re looking for something casual or hoping to find something long-term, your profile photo is doing most of the talking before anyone even reads your bio.
So…what actually works?
Let’s Play a Quick Game
Look at these photos
Before we reveal the data, take a guess.
- Which one would you upload?
- Which guy do you think gets the most likes?
Most people have an answer in mind… but the real results are often surprising.
What Types of Photos Get Men More Likes?
Instead of guessing, let’s look at what the data actually tells us. The DOWN team has analyzed a bunch of images and the swipe-right performance across different lifestyle elements in men’s dating profile photos to see what women responded to the most.
Here are the biggest winners.
✅ DO: Show an Active, Confident Lifestyle
Most of these have one thing in common: they make you look relaxed, confident, and comfortable in your own skin.
Even simple details like wearing a watch or chain can make a photo feel more intentional. It’s less about showing off and more about looking like you put some thought into your appearance.
The takeaway?
Women tend to respond well to photos that feel natural, confident, and a little bit stylish – not overly posed or trying too hard.
👍 OK: Safe Choices That Still Work
Not everyone has a gym selfie or tattoos. That’s completely fine. Not every photo needs to be perfect.
Some elements landed in the OK category, meaning they performed about as expected.
These won’t dramatically boost your profile, but they won’t hurt it either. A clean mirror selfie, for example, simply tells people you’re a real person with recent photos. If you love travelling, a backpack shot can also help attract someone with similar interests.
Think of these as safe, everyday choices.
❌ DON’T: Photos That Get Fewer Swipes
Some photo styles consistently received fewer swipes.
Does this mean you should immediately shave your beard or cut your hair?
Not necessarily.
These trends simply mean these styles appealed to fewer people overall. If long hair is part of who you are, keep it. The goal isn’t to attract everyone, it’s to attract the right people.
The only real advice here?
If you’re rocking a beard, keep it neat. A well-groomed beard actually performed much better than a full, untrimmed one.
The Biggest Dating App Tip? Be the Best Version of Yourself.
These numbers are great for inspiration, not a rulebook.
You can absolutely improve your profile by choosing better lighting, showing more of your lifestyle, and avoiding blurry bathroom selfies. But don’t build a profile around someone you’re not. If you wear glasses, keep wearing them. If you have a beard or long hair, you don’t need to shave it all off.
Just make sure they’re well-groomed. Clean glasses, a neatly trimmed beard, and well-maintained hair will always make a better first impression. The best dating profiles don’t just get more matches, they attract people who actually like the real you.
After all, getting a swipe is great, but getting a match who likes you for who you are is even better! So with this, we hope we’ve helped you guide what kind of photos work best on DOWN to find success in the app.