Survey of 6,981 Dating App Users: Approximately 90% Have 'Rejected Based Solely on Photo'
Wakuwaku Mail, one of Japan's largest dating matching services, conducted a survey of 6,981 users regarding their awareness of profile photos. The results revealed that approximately 90% have experienced 'rejecting someone based solely on their photo,' with women tending to place more importance on photos.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 01:23 (491h 44m after Collected)
Wakuwaku Mail (https://550909.com/), one of Japan's largest dating matching services, operated by Wakuwaku Communications Inc., conducted a survey on the awareness of profile photos among 6,981 male and female users. The survey thoroughly investigated the reality of 'photos that get chosen' and 'photos that are avoided.'
We will share the real situation revealed by the survey data, including significant differences in 'NG' (no good) elements between men and women, and commonalities among those whose matching rates increased after changing their photos.
Source: https://odoriba.love/survey/6063/
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire
Target Audience: Men and women in their 20s to 40s using Wakuwaku Mail
Valid Responses: 5,845 males / 1,136 females (Total 6,981 individuals)
Implementation Period: January 19 (Mon) - January 22 (Thu), 2026
Survey Organizer: Wakuwaku Mail (https://550909.com/)
Survey Company: Wakuwaku Communications Inc.
Response Format: Single choice, multiple choice, free description
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## ◆ Q1. How much importance do you place on profile photos in dating apps? (Single answer)
Approximately 70% answered 'important.' For women, 'very important' was about 30%, 1.5 times that of men.
The total for 'important (somewhat + very)' was 64% for men and 69% for women, indicating that approximately 70% of both genders consider photos important.
For 'very important,' it was 30% for women and 20% for men, showing a tendency for women to be more critical of photos.
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## ◆ Q2. Have you ever immediately rejected someone based on their profile photo? (Single answer)
'Immediate rejection' experience: 88% for men, 87% for women. Over half of women answered 'often.'
We will share the real situation revealed by the survey data, including significant differences in 'NG' (no good) elements between men and women, and commonalities among those whose matching rates increased after changing their photos.
Source: https://odoriba.love/survey/6063/
Survey Method: Internet questionnaire
Target Audience: Men and women in their 20s to 40s using Wakuwaku Mail
Valid Responses: 5,845 males / 1,136 females (Total 6,981 individuals)
Implementation Period: January 19 (Mon) - January 22 (Thu), 2026
Survey Organizer: Wakuwaku Mail (https://550909.com/)
Survey Company: Wakuwaku Communications Inc.
Response Format: Single choice, multiple choice, free description
---
## ◆ Q1. How much importance do you place on profile photos in dating apps? (Single answer)
Approximately 70% answered 'important.' For women, 'very important' was about 30%, 1.5 times that of men.
The total for 'important (somewhat + very)' was 64% for men and 69% for women, indicating that approximately 70% of both genders consider photos important.
For 'very important,' it was 30% for women and 20% for men, showing a tendency for women to be more critical of photos.
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## ◆ Q2. Have you ever immediately rejected someone based on their profile photo? (Single answer)
'Immediate rejection' experience: 88% for men, 87% for women. Over half of women answered 'often.'