Digital Love: Effective Profile Pictures for Online Dating

-For both men and women, pictures where the subject is making that flirty face (you know the one I'm talking about) and making eye contact do better than pictures when one is making eye contact and smiling. However, also for both sexes, the flirty face without eye making eye contact garners less contacts than any other sort of photo.

-Self-Shot photos with a webcam or cell phone, better known as the "Myspace Shot" are the single most effective profile picture for women who are trying to score dates online.

-The Ab Shot, heretofore known as  "The Situation" is extremely effective for men between the ages of 19 and 30.  The poster writes:

"But, contrary to everything you read about profile pictures, if you're a guy with a nice body, it's actually better to take off your shirt than to leave it on. We would never suggest to a Fitzgerald or a Dave Eggers to limit his profile to 100 words, and so why should guys with great bodies keep their best asset under wraps?"

Conversely, the cleavage shot actually improves womens' contact averages as they age.

-It doesn't really matter if you show your face, as long as your picture is interesting. If you pique a user's interest by picturing yourself doing something witty or participating in a cool activity, the average amount of contacts is pretty much the same as if you're face is in clear view.

I love the computer geeks over at OKCupid!  It's a great site for geeky types who are interested in the Web 2.0 aspects of finding love on the interwebs.