Tinder Explore Explained [Plus Expert Tips To Boost Your Match Rate!]

Tinder Explore is a free feature hub that curates profiles based on shared interests, dating goals, and interactive experiences. Access it by tapping the magnifying glass icon with three boxes in your menu bar. This game-changing tool helps you find more compatible matches by filtering singles into categories like "Pet Parents," "Creatives," and relationship intention groups.

💡 Key Insights

• What Explore is: A free hub within Tinder that organizes profiles based on shared interests, dating goals, and interactive experiences like Vibes and Hot Takes.
• How to access it: Tap the magnifying glass with three boxes icon in the menu bar on both mobile and desktop versions.
• Personalized categories: The tab shows curated feeds based on the interests and lifestyle badges in your profile, such as "Pet Parents," "Creatives," or "Social Causes."
• Dating intention filters: The "My Vibe" section lets you browse singles with specific relationship goals like "Free Tonight," "Coffee Date," or "Looking For Love."
• Photo verification advantage: Access the verified-only feed to avoid fake profiles by completing Tinder's video selfie verification process.
• Match optimization tips: Maximize your distance settings to see more potential matches, add up to 5 interest badges to your profile, and tailor your opening messages around shared category interests.

This short guide explains exactly how this Tinder feature works, plus how you can use it to get more matches!

As Tinder’s CEO Jim Lanzone explained in a press release when the feature first launched, the Explore hub offers “more ways to have fun and interact with others virtually and more control over who they meet on Tinder.”

You can access Explore from both the mobile app and Tinder Online.

This is a free feature, so you don’t need a Tinder Plus, Gold or Platinum membership to access it.

The Tinder Explore tab essentially acts as a homepage. It’s stocked with different categories of profile feeds Tinder’s algorithm thinks are of special interest to you, based on choices you make within the app.

For instance, if you include the Dogs lifestyle badge and the Activism interest badge in your Tinder bio, you may see the “Social Causes” and “Pet Parents” categories on your Explore tab:

Or if your Interest badges include Cafe Hopping and Art Galleries, your hub might include the Creatives and Brunch Time categories:

The Tinder Explore hub also allows you to add relationship goals as another way to find connections with similar interests. You’ve got five categories to choose from: Non-Monogamy, Serious Dater, Short-Term Fun, Long-Term Partner, and New Friends. 

Whether you're looking for commitment, casual dating, friendship, or exploring non-traditional relationships, there's a space tailored to those preferences. The addition of “New Friends” hints at Tinder stepping into the friend-finding space, similar to Bumble BFF, while “Non-Monogamy” highlights the app’s effort to be more inclusive.

In the Tinder Explore My Vibe section, you can join specific groups like Free Tonight, Coffee Date, Let’s Be Friends or Looking For Love.

All the singles you’ll encounter in each group have the same goal, whether that’s finding friends, hooking up, dating casually or finding a committed relationship. 

You’ll know you’re browsing the specially curated feed by the label at the top of the screen, and the colored border that surrounds the profiles:

Tinder Explore also displays invitations to join any events or games that are happening (or about to happen) when you log in.

And if you’re tired of encountering fake profiles on Tinder, you’ll be particularly happy about the Photo Verified feed. 

To be included in this feed, users must earn the verification badge. To get photo verified on Tinder, tap the “Try Now” button and follow the prompts.

You’ll be asked to record a short video selfie via the app. That footage will be compared to photos in your lineup. If they match, you get the check!

Once you’ve been photo verified on Tinder, you’ll unlock this category in the Tinder Explore hub.

Here are 3 easy ways to use the Tinder Explore page to connect with more like-minded local singles!

Tip #1: Max Yourself Out

Since the profile feeds in each category are filtered around a specific criterion, you may find yourself running out of potential matches fairly quickly. Especially if you aren’t in a major city.

For the best results, set your distance range to the maximum radius you’re willing to date within. That will help you avoid the ‘Tinder out of users’ screen.

Tip #2: Get Interested

Many of the categories reflect the Interest (or in some markets, Passion) badges you’ve attached to your profile. If you haven’t added any yet, get on it. 

How add & change your Tinder badges:

1. Tap on the profile icon
2. Tap on the edit icon at the top of the screen
3. Scroll down to the Interests section
4. Tap on the arrow to bring up the menu
5. Select up to 5 badges to display
6. Tap Done

You can change your badges whenever you want. The good news is you have 175+ options to choose from, so that can be a great way to both instantly refresh your profile and change your Tinder Explore For You homepage experience.

For You is the section where the app will display recommendations based on your profile. You’ll find it right underneath the My Vibe display.

Tip #3: Tailor Your First Message

The various categories make figuring out what to say on Tinder a whole lot easier. You don’t even have to read her profile to know at least one thing you’ve got in common. 

And whether you’re using Explore or not, the app helpfully highlights any interest badges that you’ve both displayed. That’s another compelling reason to add a few to your Tinder profile if you haven’t already.

Frame your message around the category you’re scrolling through, and boom - instant icebreaker inspiration. Want some examples of great conversation starters? Check out these proven Tinder openers! You’re sure to find one to fit the occasion.

And if you really want to up your Tinder game and start matching with relationship-quality singles, this Tinder Guide is packed with all the tips, tricks and research-advice you need to make it happen.