15 Hinge Prompt Tips That Will Transform Your Match Rate
Your prompts are either helping or hurting you. These 15 tips will help you write answers that start real conversations.
Most people treat Hinge prompts as an afterthought. They spend hours choosing photos but write their prompts in 30 seconds. This is backwards—prompts are where conversations start.
The Prompt Problem
Here's the issue: everyone is writing the same things. "Looking for a partner in crime." "The way to my heart is tacos." "I'm fluent in sarcasm."
When your prompts blend in, you become invisible. When they stand out, you become memorable.
The Golden Rule
Your prompt should make it easy for someone to message you. If they have to think about what to say, they'll swipe past.
Tip 1: Be Ridiculously Specific
Vague prompts are forgettable. Specific prompts are memorable and create talking points.
Vague
"I love traveling"
Everyone says this. It means nothing.
Specific
"I get too excited finding cheap flights to places I can't pronounce"
Shows the same thing, but memorable.
The more specific you are, the more you filter for people who share your exact interests. "Green flags I look for: Does not follow Lebron James on IG" is weird—but it'll attract people on your wavelength.
Tip 2: Show, Don't Tell
Don't claim you're funny—be funny. Don't say you're adventurous—describe an adventure.
Telling
"I'm really funny"
Showing
"Dating me is like finding a half eaten chicken nugget in your fries bag"
The second one is actually funny. The first one just claims to be.
Tip 3: Create Message Bait
Great prompts have an obvious "hook" that makes responding easy. Ask yourself: "What would someone say to this?"
"I bet you can't tell me with a straight face what a 'short term relationship' is"
→ Easy response: they define it (playfully or seriously)
"First round is on me if you can go the entire first date without hitting your vape"
→ Easy response: accept the challenge or defend their vape
"The one thing I'd love to know about you is your villain origin story"
→ Easy response: share their story
Tip 4: Use Humor Correctly
Humor is the highest-performing prompt style, but there's a right way and a wrong way.
The Humor Spectrum
Example that works: "My most irrational fear: The bartender says 'hopefully this one works out' when I show up to the date"
This is self-aware about dating without being bitter. It implies you date often (preselection) while being relatable.
Tip 5: Polarize on Purpose
You can't please everyone. Trying to be universally appealing makes you generic. Instead, say things that will make some people love you—even if others don't.
"Let's debate this topic: Your Van Cleef necklace is not a personality trait"
This will turn off some people. But it will strongly attract people who share your sense of humor about status symbols.
Common Prompt Mistakes
Mistake #1: Being Too Safe
"I love food, traveling, and laughing" describes 99% of humans. It tells people nothing about you.
Mistake #2: Negativity
"Don't swipe if you..." prompts that list dealbreakers come across as bitter, even if valid.
Mistake #3: One-Word Answers
"Green flags I look for: Honesty" — This gives nothing to respond to.
Mistake #4: The Interview Format
Answers that read like a resume ("I work in finance and enjoy hiking on weekends") are boring.
Before & After Examples
Here's how to transform generic prompts into engaging ones:
BEFORE
"I want someone who is honest and funny"
AFTER
"I want someone who is funny, honest, and out the door by 9am"
BEFORE
"Typical Sunday: Relaxing and brunch"
AFTER
"Typical Sunday: Review my credit card purchases and promise myself I'll do better next week"
BEFORE
"My biggest fear: Spiders"
AFTER
"My most irrational fear: Your heated blanket explodes"
Not sure if your prompts are working? Aurale gives you specific feedback on each prompt—what's landing, what's falling flat, and exactly how to improve.
Stop guessing. Start matching.
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