Best Openers for Dating Apps: How to Get More Matches & Responses

 

Introduction

Introduction: Why Your First Message Matters

Great-you swiped right with somebody on a dating app. Now comes the even more daunting task: crafting that very first message. Your opener is going to either make or break the conversation, and in online dating, with competition being so high, a simple "Hey" will not do.

Are you tired of sending the same old boring messages on dating apps, only to be met with silence?

A great opener gets attention, creates curiosity, and invites a response. But how do you craft the perfect first message? Whether you're looking for love, a casual connection, or just want to boost your match-to-message ratio, this guide will help you with the best openers on a dating app-from clever one-liners to meaningful conversation starters.

1. Why Generic Openers Fail (And What to Do Instead)

❌ Avoid these boring, overused openers:

"Hey"

"How’s it going?"

"What’s up?"

"You’re cute."

"How was your day?"

These messages don’t create excitement or give the other person a reason to respond. Instead, use openers that are specific, engaging, and playful to increase your chances of getting a reply and keeping the conversation flowing.

???? Pro Tip: Studies show that messages with humor, personal touches, and open-ended questions get higher response rates.

2. Best Openers for Dating Apps (With Examples!)

1. The Custom Compliment

Flattery works-but only if it's specific and thoughtful. Instead of a generic "You're beautiful," try:

✅ Example:

"Your smile is contagious! What's something that made you laugh recently?"

"Your travel photos are incredible! What's been your favorite destination so far?"

???? Why It Works: Compliments combined with a question show genuine interest and encourage engagement.

???? 2. The Funny Opener (Best for Playful Conversations)

A well-placed joke or quip can make you memorable in an instant.

✅ Example:

"Is your name Google? Because you've got everything I've been searching for."

"What's the most embarrassing thing you've done that you're oddly proud of?"

"So, should we tell our friends we met on or make up a cute meet-cute story?"

Why It Works: Humor lowers defenses, creates a positive first impression, and makes the conversation fun from the beginning.

❓ 3. The Playful "Would You Rather" Question

A funny and unusual question greets creativity and maintains the interest in the conversation.

✅ Example:

"Would you rather have to always sing instead of speaking or dance everywhere instead of walking?

"If you could have dinner with any three people, dead or alive, who would they be?"

"Would you rather have unlimited tacos for life or unlimited pizza?"

 ???? Why It Works: Would-you-rather questions are easy to answer, light, and great for finding common interests.

 ???? 4. The Pop Culture Reference Opener

Making use of references to pop culture, music, or movies brings about instant relatability and makes the opener stand out.

 ✅ Example:

"Your profile gives off serious 'Main Character Energy.' What's your go-to theme song?"

"Are you more of a 'Netflix and Chill' or 'Hiking at Sunrise' type?"

"Okay, let's settle this debate: Friends or The Office?"

 Why It Works: Pop culture references spark shared interests and make the conversation more engaging.

 5. The Food-Related Icebreaker

Who doesn't love food? Talking about it is a fun, non-intimidating way to start a conversation.

 Example:

"Pineapple on pizza—yes or no? I feel like this is a dealbreaker."

"YOu get one meal for the rest of your life. What's on your plate?"

"I just made a killer pasta dish. What's your signature meal?"

 Why It Works: Food is universal, easy to relate to, and can give you some good ideas for dates to come.

 6. The Pet-Lover Opener

If they have pets on their profile, go for it—people who have pets love to talk about them!

Example:

"Your dog is so adorable! Does he/she have a favorite park or is he the 'steal food off the counter' type?"

"Cat person or dog person? Choose wisely."

"If your pet could talk, what's the first thing they'd say about you?"

 Why It Works: Pets are an immediate conversation starter and show emotional connection.

7. The Travel & Adventure Opener

If they have pictures of them traveling on their profile, that's a good conversation starter.

✅ Example:

"Your travel photos look amazing! What's the most unforgettable place you've been?"

"Would you rather live in the mountains, the beach, or a big city?"

"Tell me the wildest story from your travels-bonus points if it involves getting lost!"

???? Why It Works: For many people, travel is a passion, and talking about it is a great way to connect.

3. Extra Tips to Send the Perfect Opener

???? Be Playful, Not Creepy – Compliments are cool, but avoid anything too forward or overly flirtatious in a first message.

???? Keep It Short & Sweet – Long paragraphs are daunting to read; keep it at 1-2 sentences max.

???? Match Their Energy – If their profile is full of humor, go for a funny opener; if they seem more serious, ask a deep question.

Avoid Cliché Openers – Be unique with their profile or use an interesting conversation starter. Timing is Everything – Messages sent at peak hours (late at night or on weekends) tend to receive better responses.

 Pro Tip: If they don't respond, don't be disheartened; dating apps can get pretty busy! Send another thoughtful message after a few days.

Conclusion: Master the First Message

This first message is just the time to leave a mark on a dating app. May it be humor, a fun question, or a personalized compliment-whatever you go for-just be real, engaging, and confident out there.

 Using the above-mentioned best openers for dating apps, you are going to grow your response rates, have better conversations, and actually build real connections that will result in more successful dates!

???? Now it’s your turn! What’s the best (or worst) dating app opener you’ve ever received? Drop it in the comments!

Are you tired of sending the same old boring messages on dating apps, only to be met with silence?

FAQ: Dating App Openers

Q1: What’s the best way to start a conversation on a dating app?

A: Use a personalized question, a clever joke, or reference something from their profile.

Q2: What’s a flirty opener that isn’t too much?

A: Try "I was going to message you first, but I figured I'd let you have the honor."

3. How long should my first message be?

A: 1-2 sentences—short enough to keep it interesting, but enough to spark a conversation.

4. What if they don't reply?

A: Don't stress! You can send a second message in some days, but if they don't respond then too, move on.

Q5: What's a good opener if I'm really into them?

A: Go for something thoughtful about something unique in their profile-that shows real interest.