Matching on Hinge but Getting No Replies
Matching on Hinge but Getting No Replies – Here’s Why (And How to Fix It)
By Joshua Pompey
If you’re matching on Hinge but getting no replies, there is a silver lining. At the very least, your main photo is compelling enough to get someone to swipe right before they ghost you. This means you’re on the right path, but not quite there yet. Something in your approach is causing interest to fade before you can make a real connection.
If you’ve been matching on Hinge but getting no replies, let’s unpack the most common reasons this happens — and what you can do to turn matches into actual conversations.
1. There’s a Weak Link in Your Photo Gallery
On Hinge, you’re only as strong as your weakest image. While your main photo may have been enough to spark attraction or curiosity, a lot of users swipe so quickly that they don’t even look at the rest of your photos until after you have matched.
One underwhelming, awkward, questionable, unattractive, or even slightly less attractive photo than the other 5 can undo all your progress instantly. Maybe it’s a ridiculous mirror selfie taken in a bathroom mirror, or an unflattering angle that screams avid chin collector. There’s a million and one ways a photo can go south (learn why your hinge photos aren’t getting likes here), but regardless of the reason, even one questionable image can create doubt and lead to no reply.
Pro tips: Have your photos reviewed by your most honest friends or family members to provide accurate feedback. Tell them to be brutal and not afraid to go hard. If you don’t have anyone that can help, you can always hire our profile writing staff to provide assistance (men click here, women click here)
2. You Unintentionally Sent a Red Flag
Even subtle profile details can act as dealbreakers. A prompt that gives off negative energy, a photo that makes you look like a completely different person, a sarcastic comment that is not coming across as you intended – the list goes on and on.
On Hinge, people scan extremely fast — and if anything even remotely hints at drama, dishonesty, baggage, awkwardness, incompatibility, desperation, etc., you’re going to get passed up on for a profile that feels like a less risky proposition.
Pro Tip: Audit your profile with fresh eyes and with the help of a trusted friend. Remove anything that could be misinterpreted, even if it feels harmless to you. Ask yourself, “Could a stranger take this the wrong way?” If the answer is yes, it’s got to go (Click here for 15 reasons women aren’t responding on dating apps).
3. Your Visual Story Is Not Adding Up
All 6 of your Hinge photos combine to tell a visual story about you. And that story needs to be consistent.
Does your profile say that you are a driven professional seeking a relationship, only to have photos taking body shots off your best friend or dancing on the top of a bar? Or perhaps you’re an outdoorsy type, who runs marathons, but for some reason, your photo gallery is showcasing you wearing a suit in 6 different photos.
If your images don’t feel consistent with who you are attempting to portray yourself as, it will create uncertainty. Uncertainty will lead to un-matching every time.
Pro Tip: Decide what story you want your photos to tell before uploading them. Each image should reinforce the same narrative about your lifestyle, values, and vibe. Create a storyboard in your mind of how you want to use each photo and get the most out of each one. And if you need to hire a photographer for assistance.
4. Poorly Written Prompts Can Lead to Matching on Hinge but Getting No Replies
Many people don’t realize that matching on Hinge but getting no replies is often a sign of small, fixable profile issues. Hinge is known for having great prompts that are ideal for sparking fun conversations. They are also your biggest opportunity to showcase your unique personality.
If your answers are too vague (“I like to have fun”), overly generic (“I love to travel”), or sound disingenuous as if an AI agent or Hallmark employee wrote them, it’s not going to be a good look for you and that initial attraction to your main photo will dissipate quickly. Your prompts should feel authentic, fun, conversational, spark attraction, and create excitement about the prospect of messaging you.
Pro Tip: Use prompts to reveal quirks, humor, and stories. Instead of “I like coffee,” try “My Starbucks order is just a socially acceptable milkshake.” For advanced tips on how to use the two truths one lie hinge prompt, read this free article.
5. You’re Choosing The Wrong Hinge Prompts
The Hinge prompts you choose are just as important as the content that you put into them. It’s critical to choose prompts that you can get the absolute mileage out of in terms of sparking interest and attraction, and then stack them in ways that reveal as much as you can about yourself in a limited amount of space.
We need to avoid prompts that come across as desperate or needy, such as, “I’ll fall for you if…” or “Don’t hate me if…” These types of prompts will often backfire and cause matches to reconsider interacting with you. For a full list of the 15 Hinge Prompts that you should be avoiding, read this free article.
Pro Tip: Look for prompts that allow you to showcase the most interesting aspects of your life, personality, and life experiences, or prompts that are most likely to create curiosity and intrigue. “A random fact I love is…,” “Two truths one lie,” “My best travel story,” or “I get way too excited about…” are much better springboards for connection.
6. Your Opener Didn’t Land – Resulting In No Replies From Matches
Sometimes you match up, only to have a first message that completely misses the mark. Generic small talk such as “Hey” or “What’s up?” doesn’t give the other person much to respond to. “I also like to travel – any fun trips lined up?” comes across as unoriginal and boring.
On Hinge, you will want to always aim for openers that throw in a little humor. At the end of the day, everyone on a dating app just wants to laugh and have a good time. If you can strike up an interesting conversation and get a laugh out of someone, you have a 5-star opener.
7. Timing and Momentum Were Lost
Hinge is a fast-moving world. If you match with someone and wait days to send a message, there’s a good chance they have already lost interest or connected with someone else. Keeping the energy going right after matching is one of the simplest ways to increase your reply rate.
Pro Tip: Message within a few hours of matching. Keep conversations moving with follow-up questions and avoid long response gaps, especially early on. For pacing, try to mirror the length of time the other person takes to respond.
8. Your Profile Isn’t Aligned with Your Intentions
If you say you’re looking for something serious but your profile screams “casual fun,” that disconnect can lead to someone moving on to the next profile. The same goes if your pictures and prompts send mixed signals about your lifestyle or relationship goals. Consistency between your intentions and how you present yourself builds confidence that the viewer can go ahead and proceed with getting to know you.
Pro Tip: Make sure your tone, photos, and prompts all support the same overarching story and themes of your life. If you are portraying yourself as a goal-oriented adventurer, who loves to learn and wants a meaningful relationship, make that consistent throughout the photos and prompts.
The Bottom Line If You Are Matching On Hinge But Getting No Replies
Matching on Hinge but getting no replies isn’t the end of the road—it’s a sign you’re close to getting it right. Your profile is capturing the attention of others, but something in your presentation or communication is losing people before the real fun begins. By tightening up your photo selection, refining your prompts, and crafting better openers, you can turn matches into meaningful exchanges.
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