The first impressions on dating apps are made through pictures, bios, prompt answers (in the case of Hinge), but most importantly through your opening lines.
If your opening line is hella boring, that’s a huge turn-off for your potential dates.
If you have little to no prior experience dating IRL, it’ll be hard to get feedback on your bad openers since you can’t see their face when they see your message.
Knowing what you did wrong is a surefire way to improve your opening but don’t worry – Hinge has thought about you.
The founders and geniuses who stay behind the statistics of your conversations on this app conducted an experiment to find which openers were more effective.
Today we’re breaking down some of these openers and more.
The List of 50 Best Hinge Openers:
1. Two truths and a lie; ready, set, go!
Who doesn't like to be challenged a little? This line serves this purpose.
2. Best discovery: Netflix or avocado?
According to the research conducted by the Hinge team, women are 40% more likely to reply to messages related to food.
3. Breakfast preference: pancakes, waffles, or sleeping till lunch?
Sweeten the conversation a bit with some delicious food choices. The last option is the odd one but it makes the question less boring.
4. What movie scared you the most when you were little?
It's easier to discuss fearful events or movies with strangers. Be that one stranger. Topics like this are good for openers.
5. What was the first CD you ever bought yourself?
There's rarely anyone who doesn't love music. You can even mention the latest songs that are trending or hit them with a line from the lyrics.
6. Do you think Leo will ever get that Oscar?
That was effective back then when Leo was a contender for an Oscar. Now you can replace him with your favorite actor nominated for the Oscar.
7. You can only keep one: Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, or John Oliver?
Do they seem like movie lovers? Try guessing what actors they might prefer, and replace them with these.
Tip: Limit the number of options to three, as it's seen as an attractive and symbolic number that draws attention.
8. What 90s song would you use as the title of your autobiography?
Stick to music but customize the era based on their profile. If they belong to the Gen Z they're less likely to be listeners of 90s music.
9. Who's your go-to Mario Kart character?
Princesses and other fictional characters. Let them choose their representations. Even though they might not be playing the game anymore, it will make them nostalgic.
10. Choose: adult treehouse or the ability to talk to animals?
Are they into weird things? This opening helps you understand it. It’s similar to asking what superpower they would like to have.
11. Hey, what's up?
Sounds unconventional but many are addicted to finding something super catchy that they ignore the effectiveness of simple intros.
12. Please confirm you're not one of those people who claps when the plane lands.
Making fun of the awkward things people do leads to funny conservation. Wyatt Fisher, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist says that the best openers include talking about third-party topics.
13. How's your 2023 going?
Simple questions are underrated but you shouldn't make this mistake.
14. Do you string your string cheese or bite it?
That’s a pretty controversial triviality similar to the one about yogurt: “Do you drink it or eat it?”. Trivialities make you sound wise because rarely do others think about them.
15. Choose a dream job: puppy photographer or pizza critic?
Be honest: would you resist without replying to this? Me neither.
16. Free this week?
Three words. Keep it simple. If research says this has worked for others, kick those doubts away and use it.
17. Drinks soon?
Men tend to reply to assertive messages like this but women found them less attractive. So use it purposefully.
18. Chocolate, red velvet, or confetti?
Food is a hot topic. (Especially desserts).
19. Sunday priorities: exercise, sleep, or aggressive mimosas?
Options, options, options. Give them options to choose from and they'll take the fact they'll reply for granted.
20. You're having your portrait painted – what's your backdrop?
Who thought of that? You did. Well, that’s pretty catchy and it deserves a reply.
21. Pain reliever personality: Advil, Tylenol, or complaining?
Haha. They’ll probably choose the latter and that’s where you jump in and say “Let me offer a shoulder for you to cry on.”
22. Sunday priorities: exercise, sleep, or aggressive mimosa?
Is there a better way to remind them of a drink this weekend?
23. Better adventure: rock climbing or scuba diving?
If you’re an adventurous person who loves exploring this is a good line to filter matches with similar interests.
24. Could you date someone who orders plain bagels with plain cream cheese when they have other options?
Food and jokes. A dangerous combination that works most of the time because who wouldn’t like picturing yourself eating with a funny partner?
25. Katy Perry or Taylor Swift?
You can use this either literally or take it as a template and replace the two singers with two other prominent celebrities.
26. Bears, beets, or Battlestar Galactica?
If you want to find out whether they’re a fan of The Office, this line is all you need. Nothing more. Plus is quite entertaining and evokes funny moments.
27. Pineapple on pizza? Yay or nay?
Food will break the ice (or drive them mad for assuming this combination).
28. I was really hoping you'd swipe right on me [insert cute emoji here].
Show them how much you actually wanted this conversation to happen.
29. What's your experience with Hinge? Have you tried others?
The more normal the conversation sounds, the higher are chances of receiving a reply.
30. I make an amazing lasagna. What's your brag-worthy signature dish?
Food talk. It works best when you mention cooking food as one of your strengths but it doesn’t have to be this way.
31. Let's not waste a lot of time messaging. Are you free Friday for drinks?
This is similar to another one we’ve mentioned above but it adds a bit of pressure on time-wasting.
32. Should toilet paper be over the top or under the roll?
Test their critical thinking. Trivialities top the game once again.
33. By the way, that first smiling pic knocked my socks off. You seem fun to be around!
A short, punchy, and uncomplicated phrase to compliment them.
34. If you could only have one condiment forever, what would it be?
Start off by asking about their favorite tastes so that you know what foods to suggest.
35. Singing in the shower is fun until you get soap in your mouth. Then it's a soap opera.
Well, that’s soo appealing at first. Jokes and pick-up lines work wonders on Hinge.
36. Based on my dating app profile, do you think you can sum me up in three words?
Or three emojis. Modify this opener based on the type of person they appear to be. Do they seem like someone who prefers using emojis or writing?
37. What's the worst dating app opener you've ever received?
Let them express their frustrations. Hinge welcomes people from different levels of education and with different intentions which means they’ve probably received some annoying openers.
38. That last photo is incredible! Where was that?
Show some interest in their profile. You could also make an assumption to provoke a reply.
39. What would you choose for your last meal?
You're challenging their love of food. This will make them hungry. Stickers say that when you're hungry, you're not yourself. When you're not yourself, you do the usual things. So chances are that they'll reply to you.
40. Have you ever ghosted anyone?
If they're bored from this intro they'll vent to you. “No. But you might be the first one.” But if they're someone who ghosts uninteresting people, they'll say “Yes.” In both cases, you win a reply.
41. When was the last time you laughed until you cried?
Make them remember that good feeling again. They'll be grateful to you for recalling it and eventually reply to thank you for doing so.
42. Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?
This is an often accepted cliché. Poke their understanding.
43. What’s the most daring thing you've ever done?
Let them show you how courageous they are. You’re seeking to know more about their positive sides and challenging them at the same time. People love challenges. Plus we love sharing our deeds.
44. If they were to make a movie about your life, who would play you?
This is a good opener to understand their favorite actor's preferences, and also their traits from it. We usually like those who reflect our values and the actor they would choose will reflect their values.
45. What is your most treasured memory and why?
Again, you're making them recall good times. This question is quite rare and unusual, scoring more chances to capture their attention.
46. What would you do if you won the lottery?
Money is such a hot topic in relationships. This helps you understand how they spend most of their money.
47. Are you afraid of becoming your parents?
Our parents may either be good or bad models for us. Both ways are good topics to talk about and at the same time thought-provoking ones.
48. What’s your favorite thing to do with your friends on a Friday night?
How do they spend their time? Our friends say a lot about our personalities. This will instantly give you a clue about theirs.
49. What's your ideal date?
Who knows? Maybe they’ve got this picture of the ideal date in mind that resembles yours and you kick it off.
50. What is your stance on tacos versus pizza, and do you know where the best place to get either is in town?
They won’t ignore a nice citizen who’s kindly asking them for directions to the best place in town to eat, would they?
How to Write a Good Hinge Opener?
There are a few things you must know for opening chats in a captivating way that encourage replies and keep your matches hooked. Being authentic in your responses comes first but there are a few other tips you must know.
Pay attention to details.
The devil is in the bloody details, they say. If you pay close attention to the details of their profile you’ll come up with an irresistible opening line or personalize one of those below effectively. Don’t rush to write immediately. Take your time.
Talk about their interests.
OkCupid conducted research that found that conversations had higher chances of receiving a reply when the texter mentioned their prospect’s interests. In their profile, you can spot what they care about the most, and use that in your openers.
Keep it brief.
Write your message but don't send it immediately. Read it out loud and see whether it's possible to shorten it. The shorter, the better. You don't want to fluff it as they won't spend much time deciphering it. They'll simply ignore it if it's too long.
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