Going online to find love is standard practice these days, and OkCupid is one of the most popular dating websites in the U.S.
However, once you’re on OkCupid or another site of that ilk, finding "the one" among so many users can be a challenge. Using a dating website is not exactly the same as going to a bar or a party.
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But don't worry — using OkCupid is a lot like using social networking sites. Just as there are tips and tricks to optimizing your Twitter or Facebook presence, you can take steps to boost your OkCupid profile and improve your experience.
This seems like a no-brainer, right? You’re on OkCupid for dating; obviously, you socialize. You’d be surprised, though, how many of my friends complain they can’t find someone on the site, and then when I say, “Well, have you messaged anyone?” they reply, “No, they’re supposed to message me!”
Although it may seem like “putting yourself out there” is different on an online dating site, that mindset won’t help you connect with anyone. Look at it as the same as "liking" a post on Facebook or retweeting on Twitter. If something in someone’s profile gets a response out of you, send them a quick message saying so, or favorite them. You’d be surprised what even the minimal amount of effort can achieve.
Those profile and personality questions are there for a reason (other than relieving your boredom on a Sunday night). The more you fill out, the better able you are to present yourself. Complete your profile. Answer the questions. The more information you give out about yourself, the better the site is able to match you with someone.
Likewise, you'll also seem more attractive to other users. No one wants to connect with a blank void. Plus, the search tool on OkCupid, like all search tools, favors those with more information than those without. How are you supposed to show up in someone's search results if you haven’t written anything down?

Image: Flickr, Kayla Kandzorra
There are certain times of the day and week when people are more likely to be on social media. These times (and a bit of common sense) can also be applied to dating sites.
During the regular weekday, most users probably aren’t logged in to OkCupid because they’re at work. Evenings after work but before bedtime are when you'll see the most users online. As for the best times for a hookup, between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays are probably the timeframe you'll want to get on to get it on.
Like most social media sites, people are more likely to use OkCupid when it’s on their phone. So get on the mobile bandwagon and download the app.
You know the old Twitter trick of following a bunch of people just to get followed back? While it’s not the best way to build out your “brand” on Twitter, it does up your numbers. You can apply a similar method to OkCupid. Use the Quickmatch tool and favorite a bunch of profiles that pique your interest (and, if you’re really keen, message them). The more you favorite or message, the more responses you'll get.
See also: The 15 Hottest Dating Sites on the Market
Now, while OkCupid doesn’t have an inborn analytics tool (though it’d be nice if it did), you can get a general sense of who is looking at your profile and what responses you’re getting. If you don’t like the users who respond to you, change it up. Alter your profile or the answers to the personality questions. Try messaging people out of your standard profile box. Change your pictures or your username.
You’d be surprised how just altering a few key things changes your matches, views and connections.
All social sites are optimizing for less text and more media. Though OkCupid hasn’t exactly gone the Facebook route of making pictures the most prominent aspect of a profile or page, it is true that the more pictures you add to your profile, the better sense people can get of who you are.
Users look at photos, and dating apps such as Tinder are built upon the fact that people are more likely to respond to pictures than words. OkCupid also now has a feature through which you can connect your Instagram profile, therefore upping the media you can attach to your profile.

Image: Flickr, Will Culpepper
Which words or terms do you respond to in someone’s profile? What do you search for? If you have a friend on OkCupid and you like the matches he or she is getting better than your own, what are they saying that you aren’t?
Pay attention to the words you put in your profile. OkCupid even did an entire blog post about keywords and the terms users respond to (apparently "zombie" is popular among the ladies).
Similarly, if you know your keywords, you should know your brand — in this case, how you are presenting yourself. If you like sporty people, then say it in your profile and add pictures of you playing sports. If you love movies, mention (in detail) what attracts you the most to what films and why.
As you curate followers on Twitter — depending on whom you follow and what you tweet, retweet and favorite — apply the same strategy to your OkCupid profile and usage.
This may be difficult piece of advice to follow when you’re filling out a profile that is all about you. However, that doesn’t mean you should go on a self-promotion marathon. Instead, when filling out your profile, include the web page to bands you like or a blog you enjoy. Maybe add the link to a YouTube clip you think is incredibly funny.
When you message a person, actively ask about him or her. Don't start interrogating, but it’s always a good idea to end on a question — most of the time, it guarantees a response.
In short, a dating website is like any other social media site. The more time and effort you put into it, the more engaging it can be. In this case, following these tips will likely result in engagement — whether it's for a lifetime or just for one night.
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