20 Dating App Profile Red Flags

Finding the right person is never an easy task, especially when you’re just meeting people through online dating apps. Since it’s difficult to get a read on a person you meet online, it’s challenging to identify which potential partner has red flags or not. In these cases, it’s important to know the red flags in a dating profile that you should look out for.

1. No information on their profile

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While some people want to be mysterious and there are those attracted to the thrill, it doesn’t always work out that way on a dating app. Empty profiles will only make people think you’re hiding a lot of things or that you have nothing interesting going on about you. You’re on a dating app, you’re here to impress to find a possible match not to play a guessing game about your identity.

2. Doesn’t have anything on their bio

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Some profiles may have pictures on them, but what about their bio? If there’s nothing written on it, it can probably trigger the alarm bells. After all, it only shows that they’re not trying to be creative enough to come up with a bio that would attract any potential match.

3. Suspicious or questionable information

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This applies to people who claim to be busy but they refuse to disclose their career or profession in their profile. Sometimes, they may also fake their educational background or their current location by leaving out that information. They may also mention having kids but they’ll never write in their profile that they’re still married which is an absolute red flag.

4. Off-putting requirements

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Some profiles will write that you have to be this and that which may come off as rude. If you find their requirements off-putting, then trust your gut and don’t swipe at all. You’re here to meet your perfect match, not to find someone who expects you to change for them.

5. Too demanding

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When their profiles have a list of demands that they want from a partner but they barely share information about themselves, that’s a red flag. How do they have the audacity of demanding perfection from someone while they can’t even mention anything about themself. As soon as you spot profiles like this, avoid them right away.

6. Obsessed with rating people’s value

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Have you ever come across those profiles that rate themselves as a 10 out of 10 or describe themselves as the full package? Indeed, those profiles are questionable and they may even try and rate you on a scale of 1-10. Whether they do it for the sake of humor or not, no one likes being seen as nothing but a number.

7. Weird warnings on their profile

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“Beware, I’m very sarcastic and brutally honest and I hate dramas” — does that sound familiar to you? Those descriptions are common giveaways that someone has a personality that may be unfriendly and can be hard to get along with. They’re most likely someone who isn’t emotionally intelligent enough for dating. So listen to their warning and stay away from profiles like that.

8. Vague descriptions of themselves

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They write things like, I love to have fun, I enjoy a good laugh, I’m very… ‘fun’. Yeah, no, those descriptions are vague and it’s a reflection of their lack of personality. If they can’t even properly describe themselves, how can they handle dating someone who has a strong personality. 

9. No profile picture

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Appearances aren’t everything, but you have to admit that they help you decide whether you feel attracted to someone or not. So if a dating profile has no profile picture at all, you should swipe left unless you’re drawn to their mysterious vibe. In that case, you might end up playing the detective game which rarely turns out well in the dating scene.

10. Inaccurate information

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If you’re talking to someone and they claim to be something that doesn’t match the description on their profile, then that’s already a red flag. That will only leave you guessing what is the truth and how much of it they are willing to share with you. For example, they might write that they’re 25 in their profile but it turns out that they’re actually 45.

11. Questionable profile photos

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Most people select the best photos they have to put on their dating profiles. But when someone frequently uses masks, doesn’t show their teeth, hides their hair through hats, and covers their eyes with glasses, they could be a red flag. That’s because they’re hiding a part of themselves that a potential partner deserves to know about. 

12. Redirects you to another app

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If their dating profile instructs you to contact them on another app, then you should walk away immediately. That’s because they’re already sending you on a chase just to reach them or contact them. In many cases they are just looking to increase their social media following and have no interest in actually dating someone. 

13. Claims to be a different age

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It’s not surprising for people to lie about their age on dating apps. That said, if you notice that they look older or younger than they claim to be, it’s better to stay away from them if you have doubts. Of course, some people may just look younger or older than their age, but in a dating app, people would rather stick to someone who seems more honest about their actual age.

14. Lies about their background

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Some people may lie about their educational background. For example, they’ll claim to be a graduate from a certain university or they claim to be working in a well-known company to impress a potential date. But when you actually do some detective work, you are unable to verify their information. If that happens, then they’re definitely a red flag who you can’t trust.

15. Has photos of their children displayed

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Single parents still deserve a second chance at finding love, but it’s a different kind of red flag when they put their children’s photos on display on a dating app without even blurring out their faces. After all, they can never tell if predators are lurking and that shows their lack of consideration for their child’s well-being. 

16. They have a list of requirements you have to meet

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If their profile has a long list of requirements they’re looking for in a partner, you should get out of there and stay far away from them. You’re here to find a lover, not to apply to a company. Dating profiles that often do this are absolute red flags who will expect a lot from you even if they can barely offer anything in return.

17. Negativity

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Is their profile full of negative thoughts about life, the world, and themselves? If yes, then you should avoid those profiles because negativity can be contagious. Of course, people are allowed to be pessimistic or to be different from the rest of the optimists, but in the dating scene, you normally want someone who can bring some positivity into your life.

18. Claims to not look for anything serious

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They make it a point to write that they’re not looking for anything serious. This only spells out that they’re just here for a fun time or to mess around, which may not bring anything good for someone who’s looking for a real connection. If you want something serious, then these profiles are red flags that you should stay away from.

19. Their photos look cropped or blurry

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Sometimes, cropped photos can be a red flag because you’ll never know if the full picture was actually them sitting next to their spouse. Unfortunately, people who are still in serious, committed relationships may create dating profiles behind their partner’s backs. So if their photos look suspicious to you and someone is always blurred out next to them, it’s best to not trust what you see.

20. Wants to keep things “lowkey”

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Anyone who tells you they want to keep things lowkey might be hiding more things than you know. Yes, some people just prefer to keep things private, but if that were the case, they wouldn’t be on a dating app to begin with. So if you’re looking for something serious and safe, avoid those dating profiles that only want to be lowkey.

• Tags:
• Dating
• Red Flags
• Romance
• Relationships
• love