Dating tips
Signing up for a dating site often comes with plenty of questions. These dating tips for men and women will help you get started.
1. Your profile
Online dating starts with creating a free account on our dating site. Dating through 4Match is straightforward, safe and reliable. Fill in your profile as fully as you can. Describe in a few clear sentences who you are, what you're looking for in someone else and what a good relationship means to you. Alongside your written profile, add one or more recent photos that give an honest impression of you. You can choose to make photos visible to everyone or only on request. A profile with a photo receives significantly more responses than one without. Update your profile text and photos from time to time to keep standing out and stay visible to other members.
2. Matches
The matches you receive from us are based on the details you've entered in your profile, your location and, if applicable, the results of your interview.
Make the most of every field in your profile!
Beyond your profile photo and text, the rest of your profile information matters too. The more you share about yourself, the easier it is for others to get a sense of who you are as a person. A great photo or a catchy line is a good start, but details like lifestyle, age and location can also influence whether someone decides to get in touch.
3. Chat
4Match makes it easy to communicate with other singles through our built-in chat feature.
The chat feature is currently available on the desktop version.
4. Stay safe when dating
We advise our members to use the messaging system on the site first and only exchange personal contact details once you know and trust someone better. The reason is simple: we can monitor communication that takes place on our platform and enforce our terms of use, but we have no control over conversations that happen elsewhere.
5. Put your phone away
Are you on a date with your phone or with an actual person? Keep your phone in your pocket. Those 36 group chats can wait. The world will manage without you for a couple of hours.
6. Nerves
Feeling nervous? Stay calm and remind yourself that it's just a date. When you think about it, a date is really no different from any other time you meet someone new.
7. Freshen up
Getting ready for a date? A shower beforehand can do wonders. You'll feel fresh and clean, and it's a surprisingly good way to settle your nerves too.
8. Outfit
Wear something that makes you feel good about yourself. Don't go for an outfit that doesn't suit you or that you feel awkward in — there's a good chance it'll show. Confidence starts with feeling comfortable in what you're wearing.
9. Fragrance
This follows the same logic as tip 7. You'll feel fresh, you'll smell great — that's never a bad combination on a first date.
Here are some questions you should ask on every first date:
10. Laugh and find out if you share the same sense of humour
Being able to laugh together is genuinely important. It also helps to keep things light on a first date rather than diving straight into heavy topics. There's nothing wrong with going deeper, but a bit of lightness goes a long way early on.
11. Ask what you want to ask
Curious about something? Just ask. A first date is the perfect moment to find out whether you're actually compatible. Don't hold back — honest questions lead to honest conversations.
12. Don't be afraid to make a decision
It's attractive when you can say what you'd like to do, where you'd like to eat or what you'd like to drink. Replying "I don't mind" or "whatever you want" to everything can make things feel awkward. A bit of decisiveness is far more appealing than you might think.
13. Take it easy
There's a lot to be said for keeping things relaxed. A first date doesn't have to mean anything just yet. It's fine to show that you're enjoying someone's company, but try not to overdo it. You're only just getting to know each other.
14. Go with the flow
Resist the urge to plan out every possible scenario in your head before the date starts (easier said than done, we know). Let things unfold naturally. You'll soon find out whether there's a spark — and whether a second date might be on the cards.
15. The best photos for your dating profile
Let's not pretend that appearance doesn't play a role. On a dating site, photos are often the first thing people notice. They help others form a quick impression, and that first impression needs to be a good one. Only when someone likes what they see will they take the time to read your profile and send a message. So making sure your photos are strong is well worth the effort.
A few pointers: use recent, well-lit photos where you're easy to recognise. Include at least one clear photo of your face and consider adding a photo that shows something about your life — a hobby, a trip or a relaxed moment. Avoid heavy filters or group shots where people can't tell which person you are.