Study: Women Share Dating Profile Turn-Offs

A new survey by Huffington Post looked at common turn-offs that women encounter when looking at a dating app profile. While they may seem innocuous to men, some common phrases and behaviours are a major red flag for women. 

Huffington Post asked women in its Facebook community about the common phrases and posts on a dating app profile that makes them want to swipe left. Here are selection of their responses:

• Writing that they’re self employed
  • “When someone won’t list their occupation or says they are self-employed, 90% of the time they are jobless.” – Lisa C
• Being too vague in describing themselves
  • “Very vague, basic details about himself, followed by, ‘Anything else, just ask.’ This immediately puts the emotional labour on the other party and I’m not starting a relationship on that foot.” – Jennifer L
• Photos of themselves with other women
  • “Pics of them going out draped in multiple other women in a clearly not-just-pals-hanging-out way. They can and should be actual friends with other women because women are awesome friends. But I don’t need pics proving how great they are at pulling hotties.” – Sarah S
• Being too negative in their preferences
  • “What they don’t like, don’t want, aren’t attracted to, aren’t into, aren’t interested in. I like a more positive, open-minded profile.” – Danielle V
  • “When they state everything they DON’T want in a woman. Big yikes. So pessimistic as a person, and probably bitter. Nothing I want to touch.”- Carina P
• Overly-sexual content
  • “Men who mention that they are a good kisser or innuendo about them being good in bed. Also, you don’t need to state that your love language is ‘physical touch.’ I feel like that’s a given for men.” – Lisa R
• Indicating a preference for “no drama”
  • “That’s the number one turnoff for me. Everyone has ‘drama’ in their lives, and this reeks of selfish narcissism. He might as well say, ‘I won’t be there for you if you ever have a problem.’” – Lynn P
  • “My one thing is when they say ‘no drama’ because to me that screams, ‘No matter how badly I behave, if you object, you’re being dramatic.’” – Beth N

Read the Huffington Post’s full collection of dating app turn-offs here.