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Explained: How Tinder Top Picks Works [And How To Be One!]

Tinder Top Picks

Tinder Top Picks is a handy perk for anyone tired of the seemingly endless swiping it takes just to find a few gems. Now you can skip straight to a curated selection of matches Tinder has chosen just for you.

VIDA Select's team of dating experts has logged hundreds of thousands of hours on Tinder, so we know each feature inside and out. And most importantly, how to use each one to attract better matches.

Keep reading to find out how Tinder Picks works, how to be a Tinder Top Pick, and how to get the most out of this Tinder feature!

Let's start at the top...

Tinder Top Picks Explained

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What are Top Picks on Tinder?

Top Picks are profiles Tinder’s algorithm has chosen specifically for you, based on your swiping patterns and match preferences. 

Within your Top Picks feed, you’ll notice labels on some of the profiles. That’s because this new feature takes information like education, occupation, hobbies, and interests shared in user profiles and uses it to put them into various categories.

As Tinder’s Chief Product Officer Brian Norgard explained,

“Picks delivers a personalized, premium user experience within Tinder Gold that puts a spotlight on unique characteristics that make our users stand out."

For instance, if a person’s profile says they’re an artist, you might see the label “Creative” emblazoned across their photo. Someone who enjoys rock climbing might be categorized as an “Adventurer.”

Tinder Top Picks

Other categories include “Military,” “Scholar,” “Foodie,” and “Traveler.”

How Does Tinder Top Picks Work?

Free Tinder Top pick

Top Picks is simple to use: Simply tap on the golden diamond icon in the menu bar, then tap "10 Top Picks". Then you can scroll through your curated list of profiles.

Here are 4 things you need to know about how Top Picks works on Tinder:

#1: Free users and Tinder Plus subscribers can only interact with 1 of their 10 Top Picks. To unlock them all, you need to pay for Tinder Gold or Platinum.

#2: Tinder Top Picks works in conjunction with Passport. Your daily picks will reflect the location you're currently swiping in.

#3: The selection refreshes every 24 hours. That's a good reason to login daily, if you don't already.

#4: In some markets, premium Tinder users can purchase additional Top Picks in bulk quantities of 10, 20, or 30. The same time restriction applies to these extra Top Picks. Unlike other in-app purchases such as a Tinder Boost, Top Picks disappear from your Tinder account in 24 hours whether you’ve looked at them or not. Pricing and availability depends on your location.

How To Be A Top Pick On Tinder

Having Tinder cherry-pick your best matches can save you a lot of swiping time, but your profile needs to compel a potential match to like you back.

You also want to boost your chances of being someone else’s Top Pick, and for that you need a bio that knocks it out of the park.

The more you can do to optimize your profile for the Tinder algorithm, the better.

Here are 3 ways to be a Tinder Top Pick:

1. Get Specific In Your Bio

Tinder’s algorithm will evaluate your occupation, education, and hobbies/interests, so make sure you give it plenty to work with when it comes to determining your label. The easiest way to do this is by including interest badges in your profile, and using relevant keywords in your bio.

For example, a Tinder bio like this might earn the "Adventurer" or "Traveler" label:

Tinder bio example

Expert Tip: Adding your job and education info to your profile also helps the algorithm identify you as a top prospect. As an added bonus, that information also gives your matches something to ask you about in a message exchange.

For more Tinder profile examples and advice, go here.

2. Keep An Eye On Proportions

The ideal primary Tinder pic shows the upper 2/3rds of your body.

Tinder Picks

Not only has research found images cropped more like a traditional head shot were consistently rated as more attractive, it’s also what looks best in the "Top Picks” grid view.

Here are some other primary photo “rules” that will help you get more right swipes on Tinder:

  • Choose an image taken with a high-quality camera where the focus, lighting, etc. are all on point.
  • Be the only person in the frame.
  • While you don’t necessarily have to make eye contact with the camera (although that’s a great way to spark an immediate connection), do make sure your eyes are visible in your primary Tinder picture. Sunglasses or other obstructions don’t do your likeability any favors.

3. Let The Masses Help Choose Your Lineup

Whether you enable Tinder’s Smart Photo feature or use a site like PhotoFeeler to gather opinions, getting feedback on your photo selection is vital.

Here is why - it’s simply not possible for you to evaluate your pictures the same way a total stranger will.

You’re so familiar with your own appearance that your brain naturally glosses over details someone who has never seen you before might pick up on right away.

And as you know, the devil is in the details.

You want to choose the photos that other people find most attractive, and the only way to do that is to gather opinions. It’s well worth the time and effort to get the most attractive photo lineup possible.

Get More Matches, Without Doing More Work

Of course, if you’re like the average single, you’re already putting a lot of time and effort into Tinder - to the tune of 40+ hours per month. And if you’re still not meeting the best local singles, you’re probably pretty frustrated right about now.

The dating experts at VIDA can help! In fact, we can do it all. From using our proven, data-driven photo selection process to writing an irresistible bio that hits all the right notes, you don’t have to worry about a thing.

We’ll even handle all the messaging for you.

There is no easier way to meet high-quality singles on Tinder - all you do is show up for the dates! Intrigued? Click here!

Top Pick FAQ

Want a quick answer? Here are the most common questions people ask about Top Picks on Tinder!

Does Tinder tell you if you’re someone’s Top Pick?

No, Tinder does not notify you if you become someone else’s Top Pick.

What does Top Picks on Tinder mean?

Top Picks is a feature on Tinder that presents up to 10 specially chosen profiles for you to review in a special feed. You can see your Top Picks by tapping the diamond button in the menu bar.

How are Top Picks chosen on Tinder?

Your Top Picks are determined by a number of factors, including your stated match preferences, swiping behavior and the profile content of the potential matches in your area.

Or, as Tinder explained when the feature first launched in 2018, the Top Picks feature presents your “most swipe worthy potential matches and what makes them stand out” in a curated list.

What does the blue star mean in Top Picks?

Top picks blue star

The blue star is how you Super Like someone on Tinder. In the Top Picks feed, you can Super Like a profile straight from the grid view by tapping on the blue star button.

What does the gold diamond mean on Tinder?

The gold diamond identifies Top Picks profiles. You'll see it next to the names of the profiles you matched with using the feature.

Have Top Picks already liked you?

Not necessarily! The Top Picks feed is separate from your "Likes You' feed.

Is Tinder Top Picks free?

Sort of. Every Tinder user can see a handful of their Top Picks each day. But unless you purchase Tinder Gold or Tinder Platinum, you can only interact with one of the 10. And once you do that, the rest of them are blurred until your Top Picks refresh.

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Wouldn't it be nice to finally stop swiping and start dating higher quality matches so you can meet someone special?

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