What makes a flirt dating profile stand out?

08/09/2025 00:00:00

We crunched the numbers - over one million member photos and more than 100 million user ratings - to reveal what really makes a dating profile stand out.

Clothing choices, even your facial expression can dramatically affect how others perceive you. Using our data, we’ve identified what men and women can do to emphasise their most attractive qualities without trying too hard and the results speak for themselves.

For women: how to look confident, feminine and approachable

1. Stand slightly side-on for maximum impact

Forget the straight-on selfie. The women who receive the most attention tend to turn slightly to the side, softening their silhouette and emphasising the waist-to-hip ratio - a visual cue that’s long been associated with femininity. This small change creates a natural hourglass shape, and yes, the data shows that a waist-to-hip ratio around 0.7 is consistently rated as most attractive.

2. Dress like you're going out-out, not staying in

Clothing that’s elegant and feminine performs best - off-the-shoulder dresses, subtle curves, and silhouettes that suggest confidence without being overly revealing. FlirtFinder data shows that overt cleavage actually performs worse than more refined choices, which tend to project long-term appeal.

3. Use a subtle expression that sparks curiosity

A full-blown smile isn’t always the winner. The most effective expressions were a slight, mysterious smile or an inquisitive, “have we met before?” look - something that invites a second glance rather than giving everything away upfront.

4. Step back from the camera - literally

Close-up selfies tend to underperform. Full-body or mid-length shots give more context and flatter proportions, especially when taken in natural light. They also tend to look more intentional, rather than rushed or overly filtered.

5. Dial down the power look

It might work in the boardroom, but photos in sharp suits behind the wheel of a luxury car didn’t resonate with most male users. While it may signal success, it can unintentionally come across as unapproachable. Profiles with warmth, confidence and playfulness consistently performed better.

For men: how to look confident, capable and datable

1. Stand straight on and own your posture

Men who face the camera directly and show good posture score highest in our dataset. Drawing in the stomach and standing tall creates that all-important shoulder-to-waist ratio, which signals strength and health. The so-called Adonis Index - where shoulders are 1.6 times wider than the waist - is a consistent winner.

2. Dress to look sharp and intentional

Collared shirts, well-fitting jackets, and tailored pieces that highlight your shape all perform well. A distinct accessory - a watch, a ring, a logo - also helps create memorability. It's not about dressing like everyone else; it's about looking like you know yourself.

3. Show you're a catch without showing off

Photos that quietly imply you’re put together like freshly cut hair, a clean shave or styled beard, and a tidy background, outshine flashy, boastful snaps. Women consistently respond well to cues of stability and maturity.

4. Don’t hide the bald head

FlirtFinder’s top-rated men include a surprising majority who are bald or have close-cropped hairstyles. Rather than hiding hair loss, embracing it suggests self-assurance - something highly attractive.

5. Let the setting say something about your lifestyle

Photos taken outdoors outperform those taken indoors or in front of plain walls. It subtly implies you’re healthy, interesting and adventurous without saying a word.

6. Project confidence, not performance

Men who look comfortable in their skin, whether mid-activity or just walking down the street, scored higher than those posing stiffly or trying too hard. There’s a difference between showing you’re adventurous and screaming “look at me.”