What Never to Write in Your Dating Profile
These phrases kill your chances faster than anything else. Avoid them at all costs.
Phrases that sound like red flags
"I'm brutally honest." = You're mean and you know it.
"I'm not like other guys/girls." = You're about to describe something everyone does.
"No drama." = You create drama and want someone who won't call you out.
"I don't do games." = You play games and people won't take you seriously.
"Tell me what turns you on." = Too forward, creepy, sexual too early.
Negative phrases that push people away
"I'm bitter about dating." = You're going to bring baggage to the relationship.
"Most people don't understand me." = You're likely the problem.
"Looking for someone who won't hurt me." = You're carrying trauma and expecting someone else to fix it.
"If you're here to waste my time, leave." = You're defensive and angry.
"My ex ruined me." = You haven't healed.
Dealbreaker phrases
"Looking for someone to pay for everything." = Gold digger energy.
"Don't bother if you're not [height/income/appearance]." = Shallow and discouraging.
"I'm only here for hookups/sex." = If that's true, fine—but be clear. If you actually want relationships, don't say this.
"I'm going to cheat on you." = Literally don't do this.
"I don't believe in fidelity." = Same thing.
Try-hard phrases that backfire
"I'm one in a million." = You probably aren't, and bragging turns people off.
"I'm fluent in sarcasm." = Yes, so is everyone else. Boring.
"I love traveling and food." = So does literally everyone. Be specific.
"I'm a CEO" (without context). = Sounds like you're bragging. It's fine to mention your job, but don't lead with it.
"I'm really good at..." [anything]. = Let people discover this. Don't tell them.
Phrases that sound bitter or angry
"Men/women these days are..." = Generalizing and blaming an entire gender.
"I'm done with [dating app name], everyone here is..." = Why are you still on it then?
"Looking for my other half." = You're incomplete without someone? Red flag.
"Tired of fake people." = Everyone says this and it sounds tired.
"Probably won't message you back." = Rude and unnecessary.
Long rants to avoid
✗ Long lists of dealbreakers
✗ Rants about how dating apps suck
✗ Complaints about exes
✗ Your entire life story
✗ Too much text—keep it to 3 sentences max
What works instead
Be specific about your life. Be positive or neutral. Share a quirk or funny thing about yourself. Show personality through what you do and enjoy. Ask a question that invites conversation. Be authentic without over-sharing or complaining.
Bottom line: Your profile should attract people, not repel them. No anger, no bitterness, no oversharing red flags, no long lists of demands. Be the person you'd want to match with. If your first instinct is to list dealbreakers or complain, rewrite it.