How You *Should* Be Using Dating Apps, by Zodiac Sign

So you’re endlessly swiping on dating apps, wondering, Isn’t there an easier way to do this? How do you even ~meet people~ these days? Social distancing has only made dating more digital, but it was pretty app-heavy even before *gestures vaguely* all this.

You probs either love or dread the world of online dating. With so many apps available at the touch of your finger, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by relying on your zodiac sign’s strengths, you can actually make online dating easier—and more fun.

Aries: Send the first message.

Aries is the leader of the zodiac, so you’re naturally a go-getter. You see it, you like it, you want it, you got it. So go ahead, make the first move. You tend to be the take-charge type, which your matches find hottt. Quick tip: Send that first message, but make sure it isn’t a boring one. “Hey, what’s up?” is blah. Be direct and say what you’re really thinking—you’ll find matches who are Into. It.

Taurus: Ask what they care about.

Tauruses are strong in mind, body, and spirit. You prefer harmony and peace in your life and relationships—when you say you’re not looking for drama, you actually mean it. When messaging new matches, share your values and ask about theirs. Yep, that means you can go ahead and talk politics, sex, religion, all those supposed no-nos. Dating isn’t just about chemistry for you—it’s also about finding someone who shares your perspective. Once you’ve found someone who wants to change the world just as much as you do, you’re in.

Gemini: Text them as much as you want.

You’re the chattiest zodiac sign, Gemmy, so communication is naturally supes important. However, not everyone is like you, and LBR, this kind of mismatch can make or break relationships. So find someone who shares your communication style. They warn you they’re a “bad texter”? They leave you on read? Bye. Doesn’t matter how ~hot~ they are—you deserve someone who wants to talk as much as you do. Or at least listen.

Cancer: Ask them how they’re feeling.

Cancer, you’re one of the most sensitive zodiac signs. You fall hard and fast, and you don’t really do “casual.” When using dating apps, pay attention to how your matches talk about their feelings—or if they even do. If they’re cold and unable to be vulnerable, it’s not gonna work out. You don’t need to discuss your deepest secrets or cry together (at least not on the first date), but your matches need to be able to use the words “I feel.” If someone barely has opinions about anything, they aren’t for you.

Leo: Stop looking for the “perfect match.”

Leo, you crave romance. You love being in love and your dream is to be part of a ~power couple~. However, you can be super critical of your potential matches. You deserve someone who shares your love of all-night dance parties and will happily take 10,000 photos of you for IG. But when you don’t give some people a chance, you could actually be missing out. Focus on finding people with similar interests rather than the ones with the best pics. It’ll be more fun, and you can teach them how to find their angles later.

Virgo: Put a five-minute limit on your Google search.

Virgo, your cyberstalking skills are so good that you could be a private detective. You like to weed out the duds before investing too much time in them. But while it’s fine to do a quick Goog before your date, don’t go down the rabbit hole. You don’t need to know about everyone they’ve previously dated, where they went to college, what they did on their birthday last year, or what they had for lunch last Wednesday. You’re forming opinions about who they are and what they’re like without giving them a chance to ~tell you themselves~. This keeps you from enjoying the process of dating. Keep the Insta and Facebook stalk to a minimal. And no. Don’t add them on LinkedIn. It’s just weird.

Libra: Make your profile *shine*.

Presentation is everything in online dating. You’re ruled by Venus, so grace and beauty just come naturally to you. Hey, you can’t help it! But make sure your profile shows off more than just your (fire) ’fits. Make it a comprehensive and authentic presentation of who you are, what you’re looking for, and your interests. So, not five almost identical selfies. Appear versatile and not just hot. That part’s too easy.

Scorpio: Take it slow.

Scorpios are passionate AF because you’re co-ruled by the planets Mars (sex and aggression) and Pluto (intensity). You’re deeply invested in your relationships and, LBR, sexual chemistry is important to you. When you find someone you’re into, you’re ready to DTR about five minutes in. But we actually suggest that you Slow. It. Down. Enjoy the flirtation. Go on some casual dates. Let the connection unfold. That way, you’ll actually get to know ’em—and decide if you’re actually into them.

Sagittarius: Send weird memes.

Humor is hella important to you, Sag! You need to laugh, otherwise life feels kinda blah. You’re often the entertainer, but you need to find someone who can make ~you~ laugh too. You tend to fall for people who are hot AF, but if they don’t get your sense of humor, you’ll get bored quickly. Whether you have a similar taste in memes or they can rec you the funniest new TV show, they’ve got to keep you on your toes. Test the waters by sharing your weirdest tweet, TikTok, or meme with them and see if they ~get it~.

Capricorn: Treat dating like a job.

Capricorn, you love love, but sometimes you actually forget to make time for it. You can get consumed by your work life or other responsibilities and online dating feels like a chore. So go ahead and approach dating like a job—after all, you’re really good at your job. Be clear in your intentions and treat potential matches’ profiles like their résumés. Go ahead and weed out any of the people who don’t meet your criteria, and you’ll find someone who keeps you interested.

Aquarius: Know what you do and *don’t* want.

Aquarius, you tend to date with your head rather than your heart. It needs to ~make sense~ for you to imagine yourself with someone. And while you’re figuring things out, you can seem hard to read and even detached. So when browsing profiles, be aware not only of what you DO want…but also what you DO NOT want. Be open about what you’re looking for and you’ll be more likely to match with someone fantastic.

Pisces: Trust your gut.

You’re a total romantic, Pisces. And when it comes to online dating, you can get lost in a fantasy before you even go on a date. So before you start imagining wedding bells, listen to your intuition. You’re kinda psychic, after all. What kind of vibes do they ~actually~ give off? Are they kind? Are they respectful? You easily absorb other people’s energies, so you need to make sure you’re not diving in to “save someone” or dealing with an emotional vampire. This will bring toxicity to your life rather than the love you’re looking for.