hinge photo order: the 6-photo lineup that gets you more likes
you can have six good photos and still get ignored because your profile reads like a random camera roll.
hinge isn’t instagram. people aren’t there to admire your best shot. they’re trying to answer two questions fast:
- “do i understand what this person looks like?”
- “do i understand what it would feel like to date them?”
photo order is how you make those answers easy.
before we start: hinge might reorder your first photo
hinge has a feature called Top Photo that can automatically show different photos first to different people. in other words, your #1 might not be their #1. (Hinge)
what to do with that:
- if you want control, turn Top Photo off and set your opener intentionally.
- if you keep it on, assume any photo might become your opener and avoid “weak links”.
either way, the lineup below still works, you’re just making every photo earn its spot.
the 6-photo lineup (with what each slot is “for”)
1) the hook (clarity > drip)
goal: make someone stick around for photo #2.
best choices
- solo, eyes visible, no sunglasses
- simple background
- looks like you, not a photoshoot persona
avoid
- group shots (it forces detective work)
- weird angles, heavy filters, mirror selfies
- “cropped ex” energy
quick test: if i blur the photo slightly, can i still tell it’s you? if not, it can’t be #1.
2) the confirmation (prove you didn’t get lucky once)
goal: show consistency. this is where people decide “ok, he’s actually cute / normal / my type.”
best choices
- half-body or full-body (especially if #1 is close-up)
- different outfit + different setting
- a real smile or relaxed expression
avoid
- near-duplicate of #1 (same outfit, same face)
- anything that makes them ask “wait… is this the same person?”
3) the personality photo (give them a handle to grab)
goal: show what you do when you’re not at brunch pretending you’re chill.
best choices
- cooking, running, rock climbing, playing something, shooting hoops
- you doing the thing (not you standing next to the thing)
avoid
- skydiving “once in 2019” unless you actually do wild stuff often
- overly staged “look at my hobbies” shots that don’t feel real
4) social proof (yes, you have friends)
goal: show you’re not a basement cryptid without making them guess who you are.
rules
- 1 group photo max
- you should be obvious in 0.5 seconds
- keep it clean: no ex-looking person, no wedding date vibes
if you don’t have a good one, skip it. a forced group photo is worse than none.
5) depth (the “oh interesting” photo)
goal: make them curious enough to comment.
best choices
- travel photo with an actual story (not generic landmark)
- something aesthetically nice but still readable
- a photo that hints at a lifestyle (museum, hike, street market, live show)
avoid
- anything confusing
- anything that makes you look wildly different from #1 and #2
6) the closer (leave them with a positive last taste)
goal: make the final impression clean and warm.
best choices
- laughing photo
- “you look fun to be around” energy
- a confident full-body shot if you have it
avoid
- blurry leftovers
- weird facial expressions
- “who is that beside you” questions
the biggest mistakes i see
- three face close-ups in a row (reads like you don’t have a life)
- the “mystery man” group photo too early (creates friction)
- ending on your weakest photo (people remember the last thing)
- too many “trying to look cool” photos (approachability wins on hinge)
how to test your lineup (without overthinking)
- make 2 versions of your opener (#1 and #2 swapped)
- run each for 7 days (don’t judge after 24 hours)
- if you have Top Photo on, check which pics people actually like/comment on (hinge is literally telling you what works)
quick checklist
- opener: solo, eyes visible, clear face
- #2: different setting + shows more of you
- #3: you doing something real
- #4: one social photo (optional)
- #5: something that sparks a comment
- #6: strong, warm closer
want me to tell you exactly which photo should lead (and what to delete)? upload your screenshots for a free hinge profile review.