Recently, I decided to search online as a male seeking female from the age of 25 – 40. I wanted to pinpoint all of the possible online dating profile photo “no no’s”. To my surprise, I actually thought women would do a little better than the men with choosing their primary profile photo. To my unpleasant surprised, I discovered that women and men are making common online dating profile photo mistakes. Here is a list of the top 10 worst types of online dating profile photos, women’s edition. I invite you to take a look at your current profile photo and ask yourself if the shoe fits…
The Clutterville
It’s such a shame when guys see an absolutely beautiful woman standing with a hoarder’s dream in the background. When you take a photo of yourself in the bathroom as an example, you’ve got make up on the counter, the toilet seat is up, under garments thrown everywhere and wet towels on the floor, guys will think you’re a “HOT” mess. Turn-off.
The Guess Who
If you don’t have a decent profile photo as your main photo, you practically vanish into thin air when you’re online. Group photos of women taken with a bunch of other girls, is also super annoying. Men who may have to click to your photo gallery, might think that it’s a little too much work to stop by and check out your profile. 
The Peek-A-Boo
This is a profile photo where there is a physical object such as a cell phone, hat, another person or hand partially covering your face. Guys who have a better view of the make and model of the cell phone you have, instead of your eye color, might also choose to pass you by.
The Ugly Duck-Face
If you ask 99% of all men out there, they will agree the (ugly) duck face is one of the most annoying faces they have to look at when browsing online. It’s just so passé at this point and won’t do your gorgeous features any favors. 
The Carry-On Photo
Although you may be a proud mom to your child or children, selecting a photo of yourself with your newborn child as your main profile photo, might be seen as “baggage” to some men who are online dating. Women who are single moms do have success and opportunities online, but advertising you and your kids on your main profile photo may limit the opportunity for men to want to get to know you. Certainly not suggesting that you side-step conversations around your kids or pretend that they don’t exist, but online dating should be about you first.
The Dirty Cam Shot
Although men are quite visual when it comes to women, they can also be very judgmental. Have you heard of the saying that some men want a “A lady in the streets, and a freak in the sheets?” If you’re choosing to use a very provocative photo of yourself as your main profile picture, yet you are seeking a long-term relationship, you could be sending the wrong kind of message and impression, to the men who are viewing your profile. Choose an outfit that is fun, put together, and represents your personal sense of style. Then snap away!
The Hangover
I describe these photos as the ones of you ladies lying in bed, without make up on, hair unkempt and it looks like you took a selfie of yourself rolling out of bed. I can promise you this, it’s completely unflattering and 9 times out of ten, men will browse on by.
The Mug Shot
If your main profile photo looks anything like your worst driver’s license or passport photo, you may want to take the time to freshen up and take a new one. A mug shot is any photo where you are NOT smiling! Smiling on your main profile photo increases your odds of getting attention online, by over 50%. 
The Shades Shot
I know some of you want to look cool on your main profile photo, but hiding behind your sunglasses is not the best or top choice as your main profile photo. It keeps the guys guessing about your looks and they could (subconsciously) be wondering why you’re afraid to show your entire face. Lose the shades.
The Alcoholic
Can you guess what photo this is? Women holding a full mickey of vodka or having a 1L bottle of alcohol being poured down their neck is a real No No. This photo may be the one and only (random) photo you took of yourself at a special occasion last month. To the guys looking at this photo; he’s instantly got you pegged as the party girl! Don’t get me wrong, your gallery photo could include you enjoying a cold beer on a beautiful patio or a glass of wine with a surf n turf meal, but make sure it is a tasteful one and not used as your main profile photo.
So there you have just a few examples of some of the worst online dating profile photos you could use as your main photo when you are dating online. I’d love to hear your thoughts on some of the best and worst online dating profile photos you’ve seen online.
4 comments
These tips for women are quite helpful in order to search and attract men…
I strongly feel that POF should make it a rule that you need a picture of yourself to get onto POF site. I received a message from a guy no photo! What is he hiding! is the first thought that comes to mind. Tks love this site.
I wonder if POF women realize how they shoot themselves in the foot with their profiles. It’s easy to “weed out the sleaze” from the men who contact them but how do they expect to meet the great guys who say “To hell with her” and doesn’t contact her, because of all the “don’t contact me if”s and the “you must be”s? Examples: “You must be 6′ tall because I like my heels”, “must love dogs”, “must be serious about a relationship”. Must be: “fit”, “tall”, “handsome”, any euphemism for “rich” (and there are a thousand of them). Educational restrictions, “must have a full head of hair”. I’ve GOT a full head of hair and the shallowness of that one pisses me off. “Must have a gym membership”. Really? REALLY??? If guys put into their profiles all the shallow crap that women put into theirs, dating sites would all shut down tomorrow.
never ceases to amaze me some of the things that guys come up with for instance when does looking for a long-term relationship turn into I want to move in and for you to support me? Really??? Lol