Personalize it to whatever’s actually on their profile. “What’s the best hike you’ve ever done?” has somewhere to go. When in doubt, end your message with a question.

These questions often lead to stories from trips abroad — or even dreaming up your next adventure together. These questions are about alcoholic drinks, but if the person you are talking about doesn’t drink I guess you could still talk about non-alcoholic drinks. These can be great “get to know you” topics to talk about, but they can also get very personal. So you might want to save most of these for when you know a person a little bit better. Usually the best way to start a conversation is to talk about your current situation.

By asking a question they definitely know the answer to, they’ll be way more likely to respond, says Kaplan. People love to talk about themselves, so lean into it. Relationship coach Nancy Ruth Deen suggests this question as a fun way to halfway admit you don’t know what else to say, while also still taking control. It could result in a fun and honest exchange about all the bizarre opening lines you’ve both received over the years. Try something else instead of saying “hey, cool motorcycle” or “hi, cute car,” ask if they’ve been on any fun road trips lately, suggests dating coach Katie Grimes.

While the report didn’t explicitly name certain dating-app companies, several have made public their focus on AI features. In January, Hinge announced its AI-powered “Prompt Feedback” feature that “nudges” users to improve their responses. Hinge emphasized that Convo Starters are optional and that A.I. Won’t write messages itself—only suggest topics users can build on.

To comment on a Hinge prompt, tap the speech bubble icon (or the heart) next to any specific photo or prompt. Your conversation just started with context already built in, which is more than most people give themselves on this app. The most important thing to remember is that these questions are tools, not scripts. Use them as jumping-off points for natural conversation, and always be prepared to share your own answers too. The best dates happen when both people feel heard, understood, and like they can be themselves. Dating doesn’t have to feel like a high-stakes performance where one wrong word ruins everything.

‘I see you’re a keen runner and go to regular park runs. So do I,’ shows genuine interest while offering detail about yourself too. You could also ask them questions about photos they have shared on the app or something simple such as how their weekend was. The feature aims to inspire daters and boost their confidence when sending initial messages.

If there is music playing, talk about the music. Even the CEO of Match Group, a major dating-app conglomerate, has admitted as much. The industry is navigating a delicate balance as A.I. While icebreaker tools like Convo Starts “can be really helpful,” they could also heighten concerns about deception if daters over-rely on A.I. As we navigate the complexities of 2026, safety has moved beyond just “meeting in public.” It now encompasses digital identity protection. While Singles50 captures the late-career demographic, SilverSingles focuses on those who are enjoying their retirement.

Most of the time a good conversation starter can just begin with a simple question. Hinge prompts allow you to showcase your personality outside of your standard bio, taking some of the awkwardness out of starting a conversation. I also spoke with Amie Leadingham, Master Certified Relationship Coach, and Logan Ury, Hinge’s Director of Relationship Science, about their tips for building a strong profile. The key is to personalize each one based on the person’s photos, bio, or prompts. A conversation starter that references their specific profile shows effort and stands out instantly. Use these as starting frameworks and customize the details.

The right opener isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being authentic, fun, and respectful. With these 100+ ideas, you’ll never be stuck at “hey” again. With these 105 ideas, you’ll never be stuck at “hey” again. Travel is one of the easiest ways to spark stories and connect over shared experiences. People love talking about where they’ve been and where they want to go. Compliments are best when they’re specific and genuine.

Dating Photo Do’s And Don’ts

Simple, low-pressure conversation starters work surprisingly well because they’re easy to answer. This is a pretty simple one, but it’s dating app conversation gold. Most people will post photos of themselves doing something they love or write about their interests in the main bio. “People want someone who signals investment to them,” Carbino says. And both experts agree that being interested in someone’s hobbies is a great way to do that (especially if you’re lucky enough to have a few in common).

When used naturally, these questions don’t feel forced or scripted – they just help the conversation flow in directions that actually matter. While there’s a lot of pressure that comes with being the one to start a conversation on a dating app, try to look at it as a positive thing. “Ask open-ended questions that hint at who you are, demonstrate curiosity in their life, and elicit a discussion,” says dating coach Lori Ann Kret, LCSW, BCC.

But unlike those first two examples, when it comes to dating app conversation starters, there’s some artistry involved in crafting the optimal opener. On dating apps, the first message is everything. With so many profiles to scroll through, you only have a few seconds to stand out. The truth is, you don’t need a “magic line” — you just need something genuine, playful, or thoughtful enough to spark a reply. A funny conversation starter is important so that you can have the best chance of getting a response back or creating an awesome dinner table discussion.

• Below, we share our top tips on starting a conversation on a dating app along with expert advice from sex and relationship coach, Angela Vossen.
• Be mindful of being too sarcastic or dry initially as this may not always translate well over text or direct message.
• Once you stumble upon something interesting or something they are interested in, keep talking about that for a while.
• You’ll instantly have something in common, and you can always branch out from there by asking about their favorite bars, restaurants, and picnic spots.

Getting To Know You Questions

A wild travel story is always a good conversation starter. Hopefully yours is less of a brush with death than mine was. “Good flirting is playful, not performative – warmth plus a little wit, not a stand-up routine,” says Angela. She suggests doing this by complimenting specifically rather than generically. For instance, ‘You look so happy in that photo’ lands very differently to ‘You’re gorgeous’.

But remember that these are just the beginning of the questions you can ask. There are many more possible questions for each topic. Come up with your own questions based on their answers or from your own creativity. And if you need even more topics and questions check out our interesting conversation topics page for a few more. Bumble, another major dating-app company founded and run by Whitney Wolfe Herd, also uses AI for several of its features like AI Photo Picker and AI-powered conversation prompts.

A great conversation starter begins with a unique conversation opener (i.e. don’t just send “hi!”). You want to choose a topic that you and your conversation partner can bond over. These questions often lead to the most memorable parts of dates because they let both people’s personalities really shine through. Plus, the answers can be absolutely hilarious and give you great inside jokes for future conversations. Sometimes the best way to learn about someone is through their imagination and sense of humor. These playful questions lighten the mood while still revealing personality traits, creativity, and how your date thinks.

To Hoggard Wagley’s point, the other person might have gone into the interaction with zero intention of actually meeting up. Many people forget that the app has its own features that make it easier for people to connect. Carbino recommends checking out a match’s embedded Spotify playlist or latest Instagram post. “People spend a lot of time thinking, What do I say about myself? and they’re putting it out there publicly,” Carbino says.

Great dating questions also reveal personality without being too invasive. They should give you insight into who someone is without making them feel like they’re being psychoanalyzed. The sweet spot is finding questions that are interesting enough to spark genuine curiosity but comfortable enough that most people would happily answer them. These questions work because they’re unexpected enough to spark genuine interest but not so deep that anyone feels put on the spot. Plus, they often lead naturally to funny stories or surprising revelations that keep the conversation flowing.

We’ve all been in that situation where you are talking to someone, the conversation dies down, and you are both just sitting there as you try to think of a topic to talk about. If you are frustrated by the current state of your love life, the problem likely isn’t you—it’s the platform you are using. While many apps have “Freemium” models, Facebook Dating is currently the only high-quality, 100% free option with no hidden paywalls. However, keep in mind that paid apps like Academic Singles or Singles50 offer much higher security and better match quality because the cost filters out low-effort users and bots. Dating apps are no longer just catalogs; they are complex AI ecosystems. To rank higher in the “stacks” of your ideal matches, you must understand the “Desirability Score” used by most 2026 apps.

They are great for when you’ve gone past the friendly introductory small talk and feel like you’ve made connection with the person. Therefore, this could continue to hurt dating apps’ margins. To combat the rise of sophisticated AI deepfakes and romance scams, top-tier platforms now require biometric verification. Therefore, the “ghost profiles” that plagued apps in 2024 are largely a thing of the past on premium platforms. If an app doesn’t require a 3D face scan in 2026, it is likely not worth your time.

Compliments both looks and personality, which feels thoughtful. It’s interactive, fun, and gives them something easy to https://laura-date.com/ respond to. That being said, if the person you are talking to seems a bit clueless about tech, you might want to switch to another topic. Just a heads up, this can sometimes make the person you are talking to think you want to make plans with / date them.