From holding a dog in your pic to ditching the pervy gags – how to get people swiping right on Dating Sunday

WHEN it comes to online romancing, you want that dream date swiping right.

Your profile photos, biography and opening gambit are key if you want to impress.

Today is Dating Sunday — the busiest day of the year for lonely-heart apps.

Figures from dating site Tinder have revealed there is nearly a 20 per cent surge in the number of likes people get, and 22 per cent more messages are sent.

Dating expert says: “For millions of online daters looking for love, today’s the day to find it.

“If you want 2024 to be your year of romance, great sex and a relationship, you need to spruce up your profile, hone messaging skills and get yourself out there so Cupid’s arrow can strike.

“Now until Valentine’s Day is the peak time to meet a mate and by revamping your profile you can stand out.”

Rebecca reveals dos and don’ts for finding love online.

HOLD A DOG: Cradling a cute canine in your profile picture improves the chance of landing a date, a study has found.

If you do not have your own dog, borrow one!

Researchers at the University of Jaen in Spain collected data from 300 women and found they felt more at ease with men who had dogs in their photos.

DON’T WEAR SUNGLASSES: Get rid of sunnies and any grainy shots.

People will quickly swipe left if they cannot see clearly what you look like.

Avoid dodgy backgrounds in pictures.

Too often, men take selfies in bed, there are crumpled clothes on the floor or images taken in bathrooms.

These are no-nos.

Don’t post pics from 20 years ago or use filters.

POST FULL-BODY PICS: A selection of pictures of you looking your best is essential.

You need four or five clear images — but full-length as well as headshots so potential suitors can see your body type.

The reality is, a potential partner will almost certainly want sex with you so needs to see if they find you desirable.

QUIT LYING: Be truthful.

There is someone for everyone — and they will meet you at some point and find out who you really are.

SAY WHAT YOU WANT: Be clear in your bio about what you offer.

Paint a picture of what your life is like.

For example, write that you “love walks in the countryside”, so other ramblers see themselves fitting into your life.

Are you after sex, a “situationship” or a relationship? Be explicit.

AVOID BEING SLEAZY: The first line of your profile needs to grab their attention, not scare them off.

Look at profiles to see what catches your eye.

You could say: “Authentic, caring, loyal man looking for someone to go on adventures with.”

But do not put anything sleazy. It is a massive turn-off.

KEEP IT SNAPPY: Your opening message needs to be brief.

Write no more than two or three sentences.

But comment on the other person’s profile and set out the one thing you notice about them that has drawn you in.

BIN THE BORING: People are unlikely to respond to messages such as “Hey!” or “How’s your weekend?”. It is boring and shows no effort.

Do not contact people just because of how they look.

Think about compatibility.

MEET EARLY: You need to cut to the chase and get a meeting set up as quickly as possible, before the person you are talking to moves on to someone else.

Exchange no more than ten messages before a date.

DON’T SEXT: Often, messages move off the dating site to texts or WhatsApp once a date is on the cards.

I recommend removing your full name from your Whats- App profile until you know who you are dealing with.

Do not sext someone you have not met, unless you are only looking for a bonk.