Anyone found smarter ways to boost engagement in matchmaking ads

I’ve been wondering about something lately. We all see these matchmaking ads online—sometimes they grab your attention, sometimes they don’t. But here’s my thought: is there actually a smarter way to make these ads more engaging, or are we all just tossing things out and hoping for the best?

For me, the challenge really started when I noticed how quickly people scroll past most ads. Even when the content is related to something personal like matchmaking, users tend to get ad fatigue. It almost feels like the more repetitive the ad, the faster it disappears from someone’s mind. That was my frustration. I wanted the ads to not just appear, but actually spark curiosity or interaction.

I tried a few basic things first. The obvious one was playing around with visuals—bright colors, clean layouts, more appealing images. Sure, they looked better, but honestly, the clicks didn’t really increase much. It was like dressing up the same old message in nicer clothes. People noticed it slightly more, but engagement? Not really.

The next experiment was changing up the text. Instead of generic phrases, I tried making the lines feel like something a friend would say. For example, instead of “Find your perfect match today,” I went with “Ever wonder who out there gets your quirks?” That felt less like a sales pitch and more like a genuine nudge. I won’t say it was a miracle, but I did see a small bump in comments and interactions.

What didn’t work, though, was being too clever. At one point, I thought making the ads witty or overly funny might hook people. The problem? Humor is tricky. If the tone doesn’t click with someone, it comes off as forced, and in a sensitive space like matchmaking, it can even feel dismissive. I realized keeping it light but still respectful was way more effective.

Another thing that helped me was switching from “shouting” ads to storytelling. Instead of saying “sign up” or “download,” I shared little snippets of relatable situations. For example: “It’s Friday night, and you’re debating whether to cook noodles again or go out… what if you had someone to decide with?” That kind of everyday story got more people to pause and think.

Something else that surprised me was timing. I didn’t expect it to matter much, but when I placed ads in the evening versus during work hours, the engagement went up noticeably. Maybe it’s just that people feel more open to thinking about connections when they’re not in work mode. I wouldn’t say this is a universal rule, but it’s worth experimenting with.

I also noticed that ads which invited some kind of micro-interaction—like a quick poll or a playful “this or that” style question—did better. They gave people a reason to tap without committing to much. It’s almost like easing them in instead of expecting them to jump straight into action.

I’m still far from an expert, but the biggest takeaway for me has been this: engagement grows when the ads feel less like ads. If they mirror the way people naturally think, talk, or make choices, they don’t resist them as much. It’s not about shouting louder; it’s about whispering in a way that feels familiar.

If you’re curious, I actually came across this piece that dives deeper into the topic. It talks about different approaches and ideas that can make ads feel more engaging without overcomplicating things. You might find it useful: Boost Engagement with Matchmaking Ads.

Anyway, that’s just my two cents. I’d love to hear what others have tried. Do you find that storytelling works better, or do you think simple, direct ads still hold up?