网红头条

KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 13, 2026

Nearly half of all couples, married or in a committed romantic relationship, met their partner on a dating app. Yet as these platforms steadily become the new Cupid鈥檚 bow, many users struggle with choosing the perfect photo to win hearts.

According to new research from 网红头条, profile photos play a far bigger role in online dating success than most people realize.

In a study published in , Minhao Dai, associate professor in the School of Communication and Media at the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, examined how photo quality, visual richness, and photo 鈥渂eautification鈥� can lead to success on dating apps, in particular Tinder. The findings show that higher-quality, visually rich photos lead to more positive impressions and stronger interest in dating. 

鈥淵our picture is pretty much 75 percent of everything,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淵ou only have about 15 seconds to make an impression with five or so photos before someone swipes right or left, and your visuals speak for you before you can even get a chance to speak.鈥�

This idea, Dai explains, is rooted in a communication theory known as the hyperpersonal model, which explains why impressions formed online can feel especially strong and sometimes misleading. When visuals are the primary cue for dating app users, the impact is amplified.

鈥淚n online dating, you have a very lean media environment,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淭here are no distractions, no opportunities to show your personality. The focus is on whatever you provide in the visual framing.鈥�

For the study, Dai created several Tinder profiles for men and women reflecting different levels of media richness (quantity of photos), visual blurriness, and visual enhancement, such as applying a filter. Study participants then rated the profiles.

One of the study鈥檚 most striking findings was how differently men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 profiles were evaluated. While beautified or filtered photos significantly improved how women鈥檚 profiles were perceived, they made little difference for men.

鈥淭here seems to be an expectation for women to look polished and attractive,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淔or men, that expectation doesn鈥檛 really apply.鈥�

Based on the findings, Dai鈥檚 advice is straightforward: avoid blurry photos, use multiple, clear images, and take visuals seriously.

鈥淭his not only applies to dating profiles but also to platforms like LinkedIn as well. Don鈥檛 think of your photo as just a picture,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淚t represents you.鈥�

The project鈥檚 coauthor, University of Maryland doctoral student Shilin Xia said the study is important because it shows how visual features like media richness and image enhancement can shape how people form impressions, build trust, and make romantic choices.

鈥淎s more relationships begin online, understanding how these design elements influence attraction helps us make sense of modern intimacy, shifting gender norms, and the psychology behind online dating,鈥� Xia said.

In another study awaiting publication, Dai went a step further to examine the composition of the profile photos.

鈥淚 asked my graduate students, and we came up with eight categories of photos that are most commonly seen on Tinder,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淭hese included travel photos, photos with a pet, a mirror selfie, swimwear, a formal occasion like a wedding, and a partying photo.鈥�

The study found that women viewing male profiles preferred images that they believed indicated personality traits such as kindness and reliability. Photos featuring dogs or travel, for example, consistently performed well for men. However, responses to women鈥檚 photos focused heavily on physical appearance, which Dai says highlights how deeply gendered expectations shape online dating behavior.

鈥淔or the men鈥檚 profiles, it鈥檚 less about looking perfect and more about signaling who you are,鈥� Dai said. 鈥淧eople used words like 鈥榢ind,鈥� 鈥榯rustworthy,鈥� and 鈥榬eliable鈥� over and over again.鈥�

Dai emphasizes that his research is deeply student-driven and shaped by insights from KSU undergraduate and graduate students who helped him to identify common dating profile trends and behaviors.

鈥淭his project really showcases our students鈥� curiosity and ability to do meaningful research,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey brought the ideas, and I helped guide the science.鈥�

 

鈥� Story by Christin Senior

Photos by Katherine Seghers

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 网红头条 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. 网红头条is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. 网红头条is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.