Take off your shirt to bag an online date

Singles having a difficult time securing partners on online dating sites may have to reconsider their profile pictures following news that the general view about profile photos is wrong.

A survey of 7,000 pictures posted to online dating site OKCupid.com has revealed that appearing presentable and respectable or even smiling into the camera are not necessarily the best methods of succeeding.

While some people may frown about displaying themselves to the whole world from the neck down, the research found that it's actually better to take off your shirt if you are a man.

Needless to say, the same applies to women, with cleavage shots particularly effective, no matter how old you are, according to the researchers, who said "the MySpace Shot is the single most effective photo type for women".

"We discovered much of the collective wisdom about profile pictures was wrong. Whether you show your face really doesn't affect your messages at all," site managers said in the OKtrends blog.

"We didn't believe it. But the facts were stubborn: Your face doesn't necessarily matter. In fact, not showing your face can be a positive, as long as you substitute in something unusual, sexy or mysterious."

However, singles should steer clear of taking photographs with their phone or webcam because apart from ending with poor quality images, "there's the avoidable creepiness of someone lurking in the dark, in front of the computer, snapping his own button".

That said - and this may leave you scratching your head - self-shot pictures appear to be more successful than average, based on successful contacts made on OKCupid.

The researchers appear to be baffled about this trend too but explained that perhaps what the pictures lack in technological quality they make up for in intimacy.

"It's undeniable that at their best, self-shot pics can have an approachable, casual vibe that makes you feel already close to the subject," they said.

Among the things females should avoid if wishing to be more successful on online dating sites is taking a picture with an animal, closely followed by photos of you drinking alcohol.

Meanwhile, a new online dating site called KyuBid.com has started offering its services to singles who can submit their desired dates before the website selects other members to bid for them.

The brainwork of former financial worker Grace Yusuf, the website brings an element of buying something at auction on the online dating scene - only money is not involved in the bidding process.

After describing the profile of your ideal date, people matching the profile can show interest by placing bids to go out with you and all that is needed after the process ends is choosing "which of the fabulous bidders you would like", says the matchmaking service.