Hinge is one of the most popular dating apps out there. But like any good dating app, Hinge employs some tricks to get users to upgrade to paid plans. One of those tricks is limiting the number of free likes you can send each day.
So how many free Hinge likes do you actually get? And what can you do to get more likes, even without paying? This comprehensive guide has all the answers.
How the Hinge Like Limit Works
Let’s start by understanding how Hinge regulates likes for free users:
You Can Send 8 Free Likes Per Day
Every free Hinge user can send 8 likes per day. These likes reset at 4 AM local time each day.
So if you max out your likes Tuesday evening, you’ll get 8 fresh ones early Wednesday morning to use.
You Can Receive Up to 99 Likes Per Day
On the receiving end, Hinge will let you rack up to 99 likes in a 24-hour period. There’s no limit to how many matches you can have at once either.
So your incoming likes are barely restricted. The app focuses limits on what you can send instead.
Paid Subscriptions Offer Unlimited Outgoing Likes
Of course, Hinge tempts you to upgrade to a paid membership with perks like unlimited outgoing likes.
But more on whether you should upgrade later. First, let’s maximize the likes you can get without paying.
Tips to Get More Free Likes on Hinge
Getting likes on Hinge isn’t just about luck. Little tweaks to your approach can draw more inbound likes your way:
1. Send Thoughtful Comments to Stand Out
Simply liking a photo or prompt answer doesn’t make much impact. But sending a comment does.
Comments give you a chance to showcase your personality. So take a minute to write something fun and flirty that shows you actually looked at their profile.
Standing out through brief but engaging comments is far more effective than blowing through your likes limit each day.
Pro Tip: Ask lighthearted questions whenever possible. Give them an easy prompt to start a conversation with you.
2. Refresh Your Photos Frequently
Dating app users are visual creatures. Having photos that intrigue and attract them is critical for getting likes.
Aim to refresh your photos every 2-3 months. Consistently swapping in recent shots keeps that visual novelty going.
3. Show Variety Across 6-8 Pictures
Having a mix of photos does more for your appeal than flooding your profile with similar selfies.
Ideally have 6-8 pictures total featuring:
- A clear headshot showing your face
- An activity shot highlighting a hobby
- Something dressy like professional work clothes
- A casual photo surrounded by friends
- Maybe one moderately playful or silly photo if it represents your personality
Showcasing this diversity makes you appear well-rounded and approachable.
4. Put Effort Into Captions and Prompts
Well-written responses to Hinge’s profile prompts can really make you stand out.
Be your charming, considerate self in this bite-sized introduction. Share a funny story or quirky fact here that could spark conversation.
Putting that extra effort in makes it obvious you’re genuinely interested in connecting over more than appearances. And it gives people easy comment material for engaging with your profile.
5. Explore Other Locations Occasionally
Changing up your location filter from time to time combats stale batches of potential matches.
Browse singles in a nearby town once a week or so. Exposure to new faces rejuvenates your options for sending likes and standing out.
Should You Pay for Unlimited Hinge Likes?
Upgrading to Hinge Plus or Preferred unlocks unlimited daily likes and other handy filters. But you may not need these paid features yet.
Before subscribing, try the free tips above for 3-4 weeks first. If you’re still not getting as many likes as you hope for, then paid perks may help.
Paying that $20+ monthly fee should really be a last resort though. Dating apps try to squeeze profits out of users in any way they can. Paid tiers offer convenience, but aren’t mandatory to find relationships with a bit more effort.
Weigh Your Options Carefully
Take an objective look at your matchmaking trends before paying up.
- Are you already averaging a decent number of likes per week, even if some days are slower? Then hold off on paid subscriptions.
- Do you use up all 8 of your free likes daily through thoughtful comments but still have minimal incoming likes for weeks on end? Then a paid boost may get you the exposure you want.
- Are you selective about who you engage and still not scoring matches after working the app for over a month? Again, upgrading could provide needed visibility.
Stay patient, but also recognize when your free account has hit its limit. The right membership tier can definitely amplify your viable matches. But it’s smarter to squeeze all you can out of the free version first before taking out your wallet.
Start With a 1-Month Subscription
If and when you do pull the trigger on a paid Hinge membership, take it slowly at first. Opt for a shorter subscription to test out the effects.
Dabble with a single month before committing to a longer membership. Monitor whether you get significantly more matches with unlimited likes and advanced filtering or not. Let a month play out, then decide if you want to renew access.
Over three in four relationships now start online. So the investment into a dating app subscription can totally pay off if it connects you to someone special. But retain control over that investment and your experience by trying a short membership first. Hopping aboard the year-long membership right away traps you if you ultimately don’t get worthwhile results from the added features.
Final Thoughts
Maxing out the free version of Hinge takes more creativity and effort than just buying unlimited likes. But that extra work could build connections that genuinely sustain. Don’t underestimate what you can accomplish without a paid membership using the tips above.
If a boost from Plus or Preferred proves necessary eventually, commit month-to-month at first. Closely monitor whether boosted matches meet your relationship standards. If you’re still coming up empty-handed on matches after a paid stint, downgrade again rather than overspend further.
Finding love requires filtering through incompatible matches no matter what app you use. But now you understand exactly how Hinge regulates your free account. Put these strategies for working within (and around) Hinge’s limits in play. With the right adjustments, your match inventory can blossom without excess expense.
