If you’re trying to find the love of your life, it may be time to take up yoga.
WIRED recently looked into data from OkCupid and Match.com to help determine what attributes make people more attractive to online daters. Every aspect of the most popular users’ profiles were analyzed, from profile photos to mentioned interests.
So, how you can improve your own chances to find a mate, according to the data? Most of the top terms suggest that being active in sports, especially outdoor sports like skiing and surfing, will improve your odds. “London” is also a highly ranked term (as is “NYC” for women and “passports” for men), suggesting that online daters are also looking for a worldly type, or at least someone who likes to travel.
For men, the words and phrases most associated with popular profiles include: surfing, surf, yoga, skiing, the ocean, oceans, live music, breakfast, passports, blue eyes, trees, mornings, athlete, retirement, London, mating, teeth, workaholic, attractiveness, confidence, nonfiction, weddings, hiking, on the beach, meditation, chocolate, kissing, tennis, photography, flying, puppies, teachers, passion and tattoos.
For women, the words and phrases most associated with popular profiles include: London, NYC, yoga, surfing, athlete, fitness, fashion, Pulp Fiction, mediatitons, models, laziness, work out, Radiohead, Homeland, New York, driven, holidays, lucky, physics, creativity, sushi, awareness, passion, Europe, philosophy, the ocean, wasted, The Office, foodies, Charmed, hiking, acting and Archer.
Researchers also looked into the 400 highest-rated dating profiles to mine insight as to what makes for the best profile photo. According to the data, 88% of the “hottest” users make direct eye contact with the camera. You’ll want to give a big smile too – 54% of the highest rated users are flashing a toothy grin.
There’s plenty more insight in WIRED’s data if you want to learn more about crafting the perfect online dating profile. There’s no harm in using it to put your best foot forward. Just remember, though – you’re not doing yourself any favors by pretending to be something you’re not on your online dating profile.
Want to learn more about online dating? Read up on these online dating red flags, then find out how to get your dating life on track in five minutes. You might also want to check out these alternatives to traditional dating sites. For more on the WIRED research, check out Caitlin Roper’s story How to Create the Perfect Online Dating Profile, in 25 Infographics.
This article was written by Fox Van Allen and originally appeared on Techlicious.
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