Creating the perfect online dating profile to attract your ideal partner

No matter what stage in life you’re in, online dating is an exciting opportunity to meet new people and develop deep connections. While it can be overwhelming at first, crafting the perfect profile is a lot easier than it seems. And with a few tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to finding the love you deserve! In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to create an eye-catching profile so you can find your dream travel buddy, companion, or long-term partner.

Things You Should Know

  • Reflect on what type of partner you want, and list 2-4 qualities that you're looking for.
  • Describe your hobbies, interests, and unique experiences to draw attention to your profile.
  • State the type of relationship you’re looking for to narrow down your matches.
  • Include 3-4 recent, high-quality photos of yourself that clearly show your face.
Section 1 of 3:

Dating Profile Tips

  1. 1
    Decide what type of partner you’re looking for. Are you looking for someone who’s going to challenge you? Someone who’s family-oriented? Health-conscious? Before you craft the perfect profile, be sure to identify what you want. If you’re not sure where to start, figure out your priorities by writing down a list of values and ranking them by importance.[1]
    • To tailor your profile to your desired partner, include 2-4 qualities that you’re looking for in a man. While you shouldn’t lower your standards to get more matches, be flexible with your expectations.[2]
    • Even if someone doesn’t check every box off your list, give them a chance. Online dating is full of surprises, and it’s exciting to learn new things about someone as your relationship progresses.
  2. 2
    Create a brief and engaging narrative. Think of your dating profile as an opportunity to tell your story. Instead of just listing your interests and hobbies, share an interesting experience or accomplishment that you can discuss in greater detail. This is the time to highlight anything that makes you unique, so don’t be afraid to reveal your true personality.[3]
    • At the end of the day, most people aren’t going to read through a lengthy profile. Don’t reveal every detail about yourself, but include enough information to convey your story.
    • While it’s easier said than done, don’t overthink your profile. When writing your profile, think about compliments that other people have said to you and ask yourself, “What are my best qualities?”
    • If you’re unsure whether your profile paints an authentic and positive image of yourself, ask a trusted friend for their opinion.[4]
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  3. 3
    Be honest about your intentions. Whether you’re seeking love or companionship, clearly state the type of relationship you want in your profile. This saves you time and energy, and it narrows down your matches to give you the most compatible results.[5]
    • Before writing your romantic goals, consider your lifestyle and commitment level. Are you looking for a travel partner? Do you want someone to take care of you? Do you prefer friendship or romance? Be as specific as possible to avoid any confusion about relationship expectations.
    • If you’re looking for a long-term relationship, you could say, “I want a romantic, passionate, and meaningful relationship with someone who will be there for me in the long run.”
    • If you don’t know what you want, that’s okay (and perfectly normal), but be sure to state that. You could say, “While I’m not 100% what I’m looking for, I want to share my best moments with someone by my side.”
  4. 4
    Provide 3-4 clear, recent photos of yourself. When choosing photos for your dating profile, provide a variety of options to reveal your personality. If you love gardening, include a photo of you in action. If your other half (at the moment) is your pet, include a photo cuddled up to them. Every picture tells a story, so remember to present yourself in an authentic way.
    • Make sure your main profile picture is high-quality and your face is clearly visible. Taking your photo in Portrait mode is always a wonderful option, especially since it blurs the background and showcases your best features.
    • To look confident, wear your favorite outfit and flash a big smile. Nothing’s more attractive than someone who looks like they’re enjoying life.
    • While you may be tempted to use younger photos of yourself, avoid it. If you end up meeting your match in person, you don’t want him to be surprised by your appearance. Remember that you’re amazing as you are, and you deserve someone who loves you for the way you look today.
  5. 5
    Keep your profile positive. When creating your profile, focus on highlighting your best qualities, instead of including “I don’t like…” statements or complaints. Negativity turns people off, and you don’t want to lose a potential match because of a few phrases. If you present yourself in a positive manner, you’re more likely to attract the right partner.[6]
    • Think of your profile as an advertisement. You want to draw attention to all of your fabulous, incredible features. If you've had negative past experiences, it's normal to want to keep your guard up; but do your best to avoiding letting those experiences effect the tone of your profile.
    • You've got an amazing dating future ahead of you. If you can, try to let your profile express your excitement about your next great partner (I'm so excited to meet someone I can give my heart to...).
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Section 2 of 3:

Example Profiles

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    Bernadette, 60. I’m an energetic, kind, and creative soul who appreciates the simple things in life. I love to paint, write, and play guitar in my spare time, but I’m always up for a new adventure. I’m looking for a thoughtful, compassionate man who believes it’s never too late to start something new. If you’re looking to create a beautiful life with a long-term partner, please message me.
  2. 2
    Ann, 63. I’m a former professional chef who still has an intense passion for food. In my free time, I love trying new cafes and restaurants, but you can also catch me at a local baking class or wine-tasting event. I’m looking for a kind, honest, and food-loving companion who wants to explore every neighborhood in the city. If you want to join my hunt to find the best omelet in town, feel free to send me a message!
  3. 3
    Kathy, 64. I’m a recently retired sales manager who always puts family first. I have 5 incredible children who I cherish more than anything in the world, so you can usually find me surrounded by family and pets. In my spare time, I love spending my time at art museums and pottery classes, but I’m always up for something new. I’m looking for a loyal, family-oriented partner who will respect me (and keep me on my toes). If you think we’d be a great match, message me.
  4. 4
    Elizabeth, 55. I’m a New York Times best-selling author and self-proclaimed cinephile. I love long walks to the library to pick up the latest mystery novel, but you can also catch me at the cinema if there’s a new M. Night Shyamalan release. When I’m not reading or writing, I love spending time with my children and their two golden retrievers. I’m looking for a family-oriented man who shares my interests (and can handle a jump scare). If you want to be my next movie date, don’t be shy and send me a message!
  5. 5
    Julia, 51. I’ve visited 26 countries and climbed Mount Fuji, Kilimanjaro, and the Rockies. My friends would say I’m always up for an adventure—no matter how big or small. Since retirement, I spend most of my time surfing at the beach, but I also love gardening and taking group hikes. I’m looking for a travel partner, so if you want to see the world with me, come and say hi.
  6. 6
    Joy, 56. I’m an easy-going, down-to-earth woman with a black belt in karate. While I enjoy exploring new places and traveling the world, nothing beats home. I love preparing home-cooked meals for my family and watching food competition shows. I want to meet someone who’s direct, honest, and doesn’t mind binge-watching everything on Netflix. If you’re looking for a good friend and potential partner, message me.
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Section 3 of 3:

Best Dating Sites for 50+

  1. 1
    Match As the most popular online dating service for people between 50-64, Match has a browser-based platform and downloadable app. After you fill out their matchmaking questionnaire, the service curates potential partners that fit your personality and interests.[7]
    • Making a Match account is completely free, but you can purchase a premium subscription to receive unlimited messages.
    • If you decide to purchase a subscription plan but don’t find a serious relationship within 6 months, Match gives you an additional 6 months of service for free.
  2. 2
    SilverSingles Once you answer their 10-minute personality quiz, SilverSingles matches you with 5 compatible users per day. They claim that 40% of their users are over 50, making it one of the most popular platforms for older adults.[8]
    • While their standard membership is free, SilverSingles also offers premium packages that start at $24.95 per month for one year.
  3. 3
    eHarmony While Harmony is a tried and true dating site for all ages, it specifically targets older adults who are looking for long-term relationships. Although their sign-up process is slightly longer than other dating platforms, many people have found success. According to their site, an eHarmony user finds love every 14 minutes.[9]
    • With the least expensive plan starting at $7.95 per month for one year, eHarmony isn’t a free dating site. Some users pay up to $200 per year, but the site does occasionally run promotions, so you can always wait to find a better deal.
  4. 4
    OurTime Unlike other dating sites, OurTime prioritizes local matches before showing long-distance ones. With a free membership, you can let people know that you’re interested in them by pressing the “flirt” button, and you can be even bolder by clicking the heart icon on their profile, which sends them a message that says, “Great profile. I’d love to hear from you.”[10]
    • A basic OurTime membership is free, but its premium subscription offers more features, such as the ability to send virtual gifts to other users. For a one-month paid plan, it costs $30, while a 3-month plan is $70.
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About This Article

Suzanna Mathews
Co-authored by:
Dating & Relationship Coach
This article was co-authored by Suzanna Mathews. Suzanna Mathews is a Dating and Relationship Coach and the Founder of The Date Maven. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in creating mindset tools, social strategies, and digital strategies that help her clients elevate dating and deepen connections. Suzanna holds a BA in Communications from Bethel College, North Newton, and an MA in Theater and Dramatic Arts from Wichita State University. This article has been viewed 1,106 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: March 15, 2023
Views: 1,106
Categories: Online Dating
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