Over the years of writing this Dating Dave blog, I have spent countless hours researching the world of online dating and what it takes to create a community of responsible and genuine members. After careful consideration and analysis, I have come to the realization that the biggest problem in this realm is the issue of incomplete profiles.
Many online dating platforms offer free trial periods to potential members in order to give them a taste of what the website has to offer. On paper, this sounds like a great idea. However, the reality is that when something is free, it often attracts those who are not fully committed or who have no real interest in the platform. And that’s not helpful for anybody on the platform, or those owning and running it.
Having visited several dating websites as part of my research, I found that more than 50% of the members had either not completed their profiles or had not included a photo. This is a waste of time for the individual member. There’s nothing more frustrating than conducting a search of the member database and coming across countless profiles with limited information and generic answers to basic questions. How does that help you to find a potential partner with similar interests?
Most dating sites recognize the importance of photos in a profile and some offer the option to password-protect them. However, a staggering 78% of the members we interviewed stated that they only search for profiles with photos. I cannot understand why someone would join a dating website and not take the time to complete their profile. Without a well-rounded profile, it’s unlikely that the member will receive any interest from others. See my other articles on this Dating Dave blog for ideas on how to create a compelling and honest online dating profile that will help you to attract others.
So, how should dating website owners encourage their members to create high-quality profiles that increase the chances of attracting interest? It’s simple – profiles without full completion and at least one photo should be “quarantined” and not feature in any results/swipes – and if the profile is not fully completed within 7 days it should be automatically deleted. Just my personal thoughts.
The reality is that a dating website is only as good as its membership. Whether you join as a free member or upgrade to a paying member, you have a moral obligation to create a complete profile and present yourself to other members who share your interests. If you don’t take the time to do this, you will have nothing to offer the community and there is no point in becoming a member.