Simple Guide to Improving Dating App Algorithms for Better Matches

Before you retrain dating app algorithms and make any changes, you need to confirm whether the app has restricted your profile’s visibility, a common issue called a shadowban. To test whether your profile is being hidden from potential matches, you can run a shadowban check using a second account. Let’s say you’re a woman who wants to date men. To see if men can actually find your profile, create a new test account as a man using a different phone number or email. 

Set this account’s preferences to exactly match the type of person you’re trying to attract including age range, location, and any filters like gender, height, or interests. Then, start swiping (Pro Tip: Check out the competition while you’re there, too). If your original profile doesn’t appear in the feed after 50 to 100 swipes, there’s a good chance you’ve been shadowbanned. The logic is if you and your potential match are in the same area (literally the same room), with matching filters, and they still can’t see you? Your profile is being hidden on purpose.

If this happens to you, it’s too late to retrain dating app algorithms. The solution is to delete your current account, wait 72 hours, and create a new one with a completely fresh dating app bio, prompts, and photos. If this isn’t the case and your lovely face comes up in the carousel, proceed to the next steps.

When you have to retrain dating app algorithms, it’s important to understand that dating apps interpret indiscriminate right-swiping as spammy, desperate behavior, which tanks your profile’s ranking. To avoid this, adopt a more selective swiping strategy: Do not swipe right on more than 20% of profiles that you see in a 15 minute time period. On each profile, take 3.5-6.5 seconds to examine the profile. Don’t time yourself (obviously) actually read the dating the profile. Seriously, take your time to review each one before making a swipe decision. 

Limit yourself to 25 right swipes at a rate of 30 seconds per profile. That’s more than enough time to decide if they are a match to you in 30 seconds, SWIPE LEFT and keep it pushing. That is more than enough time to retrain dating app algorithms and prevent triggering anti-spam measures that will clog up your options with people you realistically cannot see yourself with. This disciplined swiping strategy signals to the algorithm that you are a high-quality user, which can improve how often your profile is shown to others.

Your photos and bio significantly influence how the algorithm ranks you. So when you retrain dating app algorithms to increase your chances with better matches, lead with photos that are clear, high-res (indication of more recent photos) where you are smiling naturally. Follow this with a full-body picture (not a selfie) and an action shot of you engaged in an activity. 

Avoid group photos as your first image. As a woman, when I see that I will immediately assume you’re the least attractive person in the photo and you’re hiding behind your friends. That’s not how you want to start out when you’re looking for better matches. 

In your bio, eliminate generic statements and replace them with specific details that encourage positive engagement. For example, instead of writing “I love traveling,” say, “Just got back from Portugal, ask me about the best pastel de nata in Lisbon.” 

If the app uses prompts (like Hinge), craft open-ended dating app prompts that invite replies. Sometimes they can be polarizing if silly and lighthearted, such as “Debate me: Is cereal a soup?” A complete profile reset retrain dating app algorithms or reinitializes the algorithm’s decision model by triggering a cold start state, wiping penalized behavior history, and reopening the exploration loop.

Dating apps prioritize profiles that are active during peak usage hours. So, in order to retrain dating app algorithms, pick the best times to engage are early morning (7–9 AM) and evening (7–10 PM), when more users are online. Spend 10-15 minutes swiping or messaging during these windows to maximize visibility for other potential matches. Additionally, respond to messages within an hour whenever possible. When you send quick replies (even if they are rejections) it signals engagement, which the algorithm rewards with higher impressions for other potential matches.

To measure progress and determine if you’ve succeeded with these steps to retrain dating app algorithms, keep a simple log of your activity. Note how many swipes you make, how many matches you receive, and how often people reply to your messages. If your match rate drops, reassess your swiping habits or profile content. If replies are low, experiment with different opening messages. Updating your photos or bio every two weeks can also help maintain the algorithm’s interest. If improvements stall after two weeks, consider resetting your account entirely.