4 dating app red flags to watch out for - according to a London psychotherapist
With Valentine’s Day approaching, dating apps enter one of their most high-pressure periods of the year. For singles hoping not to spend 14 February alone, profiles are judged faster and more decisively than at any other time.
UK Google search data shows that interest in ‘dating app photos’ reached its highest point of the past 12 months this January, while searches for ‘dating app tips’ also surged sharply at the start of the year – a pattern that has repeated consistently in the run-up to Valentine’s Day over the past five years.
Plus, research from Princeton University shows that people form impressions of faces in as little as 100 milliseconds – meaning it takes less than a second for someone to decide whether to swipe left or right.
Custtom spoke to London-based psychotherapist Eloise Skinner, who shared the dating-profile photo red flags that can instantly put potential matches off before they’ve even read the bio.
“Dating apps can be quite intimidating, especially if you’re making the first move,” says Eloise. “From a psychological point of view, some consistent themes might be whether someone is perceived to be friendly or approachable.”
Red flag 1: Over-edited or heavily filtered photos
“Do filters or heavily edited photos affect how trustworthy or genuine someone seems online? Definitely,” says Eloise. “Especially if you’re committing to meeting someone for the first time, filters or heavy edits can make it feel risky, as if you might not know what they truly look like in person.”
She adds: “If you’re intending on meeting someone, it’s preferable to go for photos that give the best sense of how you actually appear in reality: fewer filters, natural lighting, etc.”
Red flag 2: Hiding in group shots
“Photos with a party vibe or within big groups might make it hard to feel as if you can get a sense of a person in their everyday setting,” says Eloise. “Since you’re likely to be meeting them solo at first.”
She explains that group shots aren’t always bad, but if every photo includes other people, it can be difficult to get a clear sense of the person behind the profile.
Red flag 3: Avoiding smiles or eye contact
“Smiling definitely makes a difference, conveying openness and friendliness,” says Eloise. “Conversely, photos with posed expressions or no smiles can make a person feel unapproachable.”
She explains that when people are deciding quickly whether to swipe, facial expression can strongly influence how approachable someone seems.
Red flag 4: Photos that don’t reflect real personality or values
“People tend to look for identity-related markers,” says Eloise. “For example, holding items that indicate particular preferences or interests, in particular locations.”
She adds, “Angles, background, and setting can also indicate aspects of our identity. These subtle cues shape how we perceive confidence, interests, and personality.”
Why authenticity matters more ahead of Valentine’s Day
“The images people treasure are rarely the most polished ones,” says Nicole Lambert, Manager at Custtom. “Instead, they’re usually photos that capture family time, personal interests, everyday happiness, or an important memory.”
“Those are the images people connect with emotionally, and the same principle applies when you’re trying to connect with someone online. They allow people to feel a deeper sense of connection and get a feeling for whether their values align.”