DOWN Dating App is all about no-pressure connections—whether you’re looking for casual fun or something more serious. The key is to find what feels right for you and approach it with confidence. Here are seven tips to help you boost your success:
1. Get Your Profile Ready
A. Choose the right photos
Your profile makes the first impression, so make it count! Having 3 photos is a good start, but the more photos you have, the better. Just be sure to pick the right ones—no one wants to see that blurry selfie from your emo phase years ago. To help you understand which photos are good to use, here are the DOs and DON’Ts:
DO ✅ :
- Choose high-quality, recent photos. No grainy, highly filtered, or outdated pictures!
- Show variety. Use a mix of selfies, full-body photos, and lifestyle images that showcase your personality.
- Smile and make eye contact. It makes you look more approachable and confident.
DON’T ❌ :
- Use sunglasses, masks, and heavy filters. Let potential matches see the real you!
- Upload group photos. Don’t make people play detective to figure out which one you are.
- Show your ex cropped out. It’s super awkward when your ex is obviously cut out of the picture. Just take a new one!
B. Add a great bio
Put up a bio to make your profile POP! You can keep it playful yet clear about what you’re looking for. Instead of something generic like “Just seeing what’s out there”, you can take a comedic and/or genuine approach to catch attention.
Here are some great bio examples:
- Always down for an adventure. Let’s grab a cocktail and see where the night takes us!
- Everything your mom wants you to date and then some.
- Dating me is like finding an extra chicken nugget in your McDonald’s.
- Feel free to add me to your to-do list.
- Warning: Swiping down on me comes with excessive compliments and free food
- Coffee’s on me if you can beat me at Mario Kart
If you want to see more great bios, you can check them out here → Funny Dating Profile Bios You Should Use Today
C. Use Highlights and Interest Tags to Stand Out
Aside from putting up a bio, you can use DOWN’s feature like Highlights to upgrade your profile even more. Highlights is a feature where you can pick a sticker that best describes your standout feature or trait and display it on your profile! There are a number of stickers you can choose from, like “Juicy” or “Giver” and many more!
DOWN also lets you add “Down To…” tags to show matches what you’re up for or where you wanna meet. Whether it’s chilling at “My place,” getting picked up, keeping it “Online only,” or something totally different, there’s a tag for everything.
If you’re feeling adventurous, the “Down to Try” tags help you explore fun new experiences—whether that’s “Dirty Talk,” “Artsy dates,” sharing your love languages, or whatever sparks your interest. It’s the easiest way to find people on the same wavelength!
2. Keep the Momentum Going
Don’t miss your chance to connect! Swipe every day to discover new and recently active users before they take a break or get caught up in life. Whether you’re looking for something casual or a real connection, staying active means you’ll always have fresh options. Who knows? Your next great match could be just a swipe away—catch them before they’re gone!
And once you’ve found your match, remember that matches don’t last forever! If there’s chemistry, move the conversation to real life sooner rather than later. Suggest a fun, relaxed meet-up that aligns with your connection—whether it’s a spontaneous drink or a more intimate setting.
How to Transition from Chat to a Date:
- Casual Invite: “This convo is way too good to stay online. Drinks this weekend?”
- Playful Challenge: “I need a partner-in-crime for a spontaneous adventure. You in?”
- Mutual Interest: If they mention liking a certain activity, use that! “You love sushi? I know the best spot in town—let’s go!”
When making plans:
✅ Suggest a fun, low-pressure setting. A casual bar, coffee shop, or outdoor activity works well.
✅ Don’t drag out texting for too long. Chemistry is best tested in person.
✅ Confirm the day before. A simple “Still on for tomorrow?” ensures both parties are committed.
What NOT to do:
❌ Don’t ghost after building a connection.
❌ Don’t send overly aggressive or demanding messages.
❌ Don’t expect instant chemistry—sometimes, it takes meeting in person to really know.
3. How to Get More Matches with VIP
Since you’ve already upgraded to DOWN VIP, it’s time to fully utilize every feature to get more matches, better responses, and real-life dates.
Flirt Messages: Slide into their DMs, Shoot Your Shot!
- What It Does: VIP lets you send a Flirt Message before matching. If she accepts, you instantly match and can start chatting. Note: You do NOT need a VIP to chat with someone once you’ve matched with them. You can chat with your matches for free!
- This feature is a game-changer because it helps you get noticed: in her inbox & when she opens the app, without needing to match first. With your custom opener message or one of ours, it lets you break the ice before matching, giving you a direct way to stand out. Instead of waiting and hoping for a match, you can grab someone’s attention with a bold or playful message that sets you apart from the crowd.
- Pro Tip: Make Flirt Messages count! Try something playful and engaging:
- What’s your idea of a perfect date night?
- A fellow foodie, I see. Do you want to grab some dinner sometime?
Use Visitor Insights to Your Advantage
- What It Does: You can see exactly who viewed your profile (without the blur that free users see).
- Pro Tip: If she viewed your profile but didn’t swipe right:
- Send a Flirt Message to grab her attention. Check her profile—mention a detail from it when sending her the Flirt Message.
Multiple Locations: Expand Your Search
- What It Does: You’re not limited to just your local area—you can add up to four locations, increasing your chances of finding the right match.
- Pro Tip: If you travel often (or are planning a trip), add locations in advance and start matching before you even arrive.
Note: VIP is not a magic fix—you still need a great profile and good conversation skills. But if you use these premium features strategically, you’ll double or even triple your chances of success.
Other tips
Be Clear About What You Want
DOWN lets users express if they’re “DOWN” for casual fun by swiping Down, or go on a date and take it slow by swiping Up. Be upfront about what you’re looking for so you match with people on the same page. Transparency leads to better experiences for everyone!
Why It Matters:
- It helps attract the right kind of people who share your expectations.
- This jump starts your matches so you’re on the same page.
- You’re saving time by filtering out those who aren’t aligned with what you want.
Set the Right Boundaries
While DOWN is known for casual dating, that doesn’t mean throwing caution to the wind. Communicate your boundaries early, respect others’ comfort levels, and ensure mutual enthusiasm before meeting in person. Trust and respect lead to better experiences!
Here’s how:
- Be upfront about your limits. If you’re not comfortable with certain topics early on, say so in a direct yet friendly way.
- Respect others’ boundaries. If someone isn’t comfortable meeting right away, don’t pressure them.
- Look for red flags. If a match avoids answering basic safety or preference-related questions, that’s a warning sign.
How the Start the Conversation
Starting conversations can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. A boring “Hey” won’t get you far, so start with something funny or flirty to get the conversation going! Here are some fool-proof openers for both men and women.
- “On a scale of Russia to America, how free are you tonight?”
- “What’s the worst pickup line a guy has ever sent you?”
- “So you love tequila… but can you handle a spicy margarita challenge?”
- “Your bio says you love adventures—what’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?”
- “I was hoping you’d match with me so I wouldn’t have to make the first move… but here I am.”
- “Let’s be real—who’s better at flirting, you or me?”
- “Quick! What’s your best dad joke? This is a test.”
- “My love language is sending you funny TikToks at 2 AM. Hope you can handle that.”
👉 Pro Tip: If you see you have interests in common, you can start with that! Do you both love music? If yes, what kind?
Looking for more great openers? Check them here → Dating App Conversation Starters: 4 Easy Ways to Nail Your First Message
Final Thoughts
DOWN is all about cutting through the noise and making direct connections. Whether you’re seeking fun or something more, success comes from confidence, clear communication, and knowing what you want. Happy matching!