Advice you'd give a good friend.
Short, practical guides for the parts of dating apps that actually trip people up — written by the same team that does our rankings.
All guides
OPENERS
What to say in a first message
Skip "hey" forever. The three-part opener that gets replies, with examples you can adapt.
Read the guide →SAFETY
How to spot a fake profile
Seven signs a profile isn't who they claim to be — and what to do before you get invested.
Read the guide →FIRST DATES
The first date checklist
Before, during, and after — how to plan a first date that's safe, low-pressure, and actually fun.
Read the guide →OVER 50
Dating after 50: where to start
The apps that respect your time, and how to write a profile that sounds like you.
See our picks →