Polishing your profile is the most important thing on dating apps.
Conversation strategy, what to say, when to move off the app, how to swipe - all of that is secondary. Good photos and a proper bio are responsible for maybe 80% of your success on a dating app.
Photos. It is always photos first.
They need to be varied, and they need to represent you as a person. Usually, I use this formula.
The Photo Formula
One photo showing that you are a fitness person.
Show your body, but do not show a naked chest. In Asia, it is not common, and your conversion rate will tank. If you do not go to the gym, you are still good to go, but I think a good body dramatically increases your chances with women in Asia. There are not that many masculine Western guys there. A good-looking, fit Western guy can be very attractive to local women.
One photo showing travel.
When a woman sees that you travel, she understands that you have the money and freedom to travel. She gets more interested in you.
One photo showing your hobbies or sports.
For example, I like climbing, so I show it off. This shows her that you are not some creep or sociopath. You have your own things to do.
One photo with an animal.
A cat works, but a dog is a cheat code in this game. This photo shows a woman that you can take care of somebody. On a subconscious level, she gets the signal: he is caring, kind, and reliable to be with.
One photo in a bar, cafe, or with friends.
Again, this shows that you are a social person. It reduces her insecurity about you and increases her trust in you as a man.
One primary photo where your face is clearly visible.
You should be smiling, with good light. Preferably a studio photo, or a photo taken outside in a good environment. This is the most important photo in your profile because it appears first, and women often do not even scroll down if the first photo does not work.
She needs to instantly feel that you are safe to be with, interesting, and doing okay in life.
Don’ts
Do not use silly or blurry photos. You can be read as unserious, or as a guy who is not worth meeting.
Do not use naked torso photos. It is a cultural thing in Asia. It is culturally inappropriate, and it makes you look like you do not understand the place you are in.
Do not make your first photo a group photo. She should not have to investigate which guy you are. If she has to work, she will swipe left.
Do not hide your face behind sunglasses, a hat, a mask, or a weird angle. One photo like that is okay, but if every photo hides your face, it looks like you are insecure, married, or running from something.
Do not use old photos. If you looked better five years ago, fix the current problem instead of advertising a past version of yourself. She will notice when you meet. Go to a gym, buddy.
Do not use photos with other women. On one hand, it shows social proof, but most of the time it creates questions you do not need. Is it an ex? Is it a hostess? Is he trying too hard? None of that helps you.
Do not write a negative bio. No “no drama,” no “do not waste my time,” no complaints about dating apps. Even if it is true, it makes you sound bitter before she even talks to you.
Do not leave the bio empty. Photos do most of the work, but the bio closes the gap. Keep it short. Give her something to react to. A hobby, a place, a joke, a small detail that makes you look like an actual person.
Conclusion
The main idea is simple: your profile should make her feel safe, curious, and a little attracted before you say even one word.
Do not try to explain yourself too much. Do not try to be clever in every line. Just show that you have a body, a life, friends, hobbies, and some money to move around. Just enough to make her feel that meeting you will not be a strange little disaster.