What makes a successful dating profile? Is it a bio that’s just the right mix of braggy and self-effacing? Is it an engaging first message? Is it a gallery of sexy selfies? According to Zoosk, there’s one attractive quality almost everyone can agree on: food.

In a survey of more than 7,000 singles, 3.7 million dating profiles, and over 364 million messages, Zoosk discovered that the way to someone’s heart might really be through their stomach. The survey analyzed how different foods and food-related phrases affect singles’ interactions with each other, offering insight into the unique intersection of food and dating.

Our love of eating, it turns out, does have an impact on how we interact with each other romantically. Simply writing about food in your profile results in an increase in inbound messages. Mention the word “cook” and you could receive 26% more messages from admirers. Call yourself a “foodie” and that number might jump to 82%.

Following similar moves by OkCupid and Tinder, Grindr has unveiled new options for users who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. Options for gender now include "cis man," "trans man," "non-binary," "non-conforming," "queer," and "crossdresser." Users can also specify a custom identity if theirs doesn’t appear on the list.

The changes coincide with the end of this year’s Transgender Awareness Week, and are the result of a survey of current trans users, as well as a consultation with the National Center for Transgender Equality.

Along with the expanded options for gender identity, the app and website have been updated to include gender neutral terms, and users can now choose from pronouns such as "he/him/his", "she/her/hers" and "they/them/theirs." Users whose preferred pronouns are not listed may write in their own.

For 17 days eHarmony in the United Kingdom is offering free trial memberships to new members. From the 15^th December 2017 to 1^st January, 2018 are when these trial memberships are available.

eHarmony specializes in creating long term relationships using their automated matchmaking system. To participate in this promotion all you need to do is sign-up for a free membership at eHarmony.co.uk. This process takes about 30 minutes to complete which includes filling in your profile and taking the relationship questionnaire. No credit card is required either. Once you have finish signing up you will receive your first batch of matches which you can look over and communicate with the ones you wish. Everyday you will continue to receive quality matches that you can look over and send messages to those that you like.

eHarmony belongs to the Online Dating Association (ODA). Companies which belong follow the Online Dating Association Code of Practice which includes rules based on honest and clear communications and protection of user data and privacy.

For more information about this matchmaking service, please read our eHarmony review for the UK.

Image: ABC

Sick and tired of the relentless positivity of people trying to put their best foot forward on dating apps? Brendan Alper has the solution - now with Mark Cuban’s blessing, Shark Tank stardom, and a six-digit investment.

Alper is the brains behind Hater, an unusual take on digital dating that matches users based on things they can’t stand. Instead of mutual likes, Hater searches for mutual dislikes, prompting singles to bond over their most despised people, places, things, and concepts.

Following a successful public debut around Valentine’s Day in 2017, Alper appeared this month on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank to take Hater to the next level.

Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of female-friendly dating app Bumble, was just named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list, and is featured on its December 2017 cover. This is no small feat – her dating app has amassed a large following with 70% year-on-year growth, according to the article, and has 22 million registered users. In comparison Tinder has 46 million registered users and last year saw growth at 10%.

The company is also being eyed by Match Group, owner of dating app rival Tinder, and is said to be in talks for over a billion dollars as an asking price. Herd turned down the company’s original offer of $450 million, according to recent reports.

The concept of a blind date is nothing new, but you haven’t seen it quite like this before.

Taffy is a new app that attacks the problem of superficiality in dating by blurring a potential match’s photos until you’ve gotten to know each other better. Users initially see the hazy images with a catchy headline superimposed on top (something like “Looking for a guy with a sense of adventure,” suggests the app, though calling that “catchy” seems like a stretch). Only after initiating communication are the clear images revealed.

“Taffy is a new way to meet people that puts personality on the same level as physical attraction by putting conversation first,” explains the website. “Photos are blurry until you start chatting. The more you chat the more you see!”