We all know there are many reasons that someone may not have pictures of themselves on a profile. But do you think current pictures of yourselves is important in searching for dates/relationships online? If so, how important is it?

Call me shallow but I have to be attracted to someone regardless of how magnificent their profile is.

ok...you are shallow

I agree. IF I was looking then I would think it's important. People can send out emails but most (not being able to put a face to a profile) would just by-pass the email.....correct?

For friends no pic ok... Anything else, well call me shallow as well b/c I don't care how good looking their mom told them they were, they may not be "my" type....

If I'm looking for a date, I will not consider meeting them if they don't have pictures. I share pictures, so I expect others to do the same. I don't really care what the excuse is.

However, if I'm just chatting with people here, pictures don't really matter.

Yep, what they said!

Also gives some sort of reassurance that the person is what they claim to be. For example, with a out a picture of myself I could claim to be tall, blonde, tan and gorgeous like Mel. Heck I could even claim to be a little old man

As long as he isn't a cyclops and has the spiritual edge and other qualities I'm seeking ..it's all good. I'm not a beauty queen, he doesn't have to be a GQ guy either.

Would you buy a car sight unseen?

or without taking a test drive...would you buy a book without reading the back cover..???

Pictures are not really that important to me. And even if I like the look of the person in the picture that won't mean I like the smell and feel of them in real life. Looks are about the least of my concerns.

Actually I did do that once!! Got a car out of VA & the floor price was
10,400 & my ex's Uncle was a car dealer that went to other places to get cars,. Got a 2 yo car for $4,800 & was one of the best cars I owned!!

When it comes to pics I think they should be updated. People change within at least a year & generally can gain/lose weight, etc. Call me shallow but I'm not into obese men. I just met a guy a couple days ago & he was nothing like his pic!! If you don't want a date then I wouldn't worry about having a pic. But, I generally ignore those without pics whether I'm even remotely interested in them or not. Leads me to believe they have something to hide.

Same here.

Although, for me, a really badly-written profile actually can be more of a negative than no pic/bad pic.

i've found that when it comes to online dating, i am far more particular about a person's looks than i am in real life.

on a website, all we have to base our decision on whether interest exists IS a photo, and a few words on a profile.

it makes them not meeting the grade that much easier, whereas in the real world, my attraction level tends to build as i'm getting to know the person and they do become more handsome.

My thoughts exactly.
In person you can also take things such as voice, the way they carry themselves, the way they laugh etc... into consideration. Whereas on here you can just go by their pics and the 1-2 sentence blurb they provide.
I am wayy more picky on who I talk to on here than I am in person. Pics on a profile to me, are important.

Ditto, but as some have said without a picture I will not meet them. But.........will talk to them as friends only..........

Generally people becomew more or less attractive to me as I get to know them.

agree..I've dated some drop dead gorgeous azz holes..they turn ugly.
I've found for me personally it's takes about 90 days....

Totally agree too

and the ones that seem unattractive at first can become SO HAWT if you let yourself fall for them.

It's also a safety issue, IMO, because I will show a photo of who I'm talking to to my parents or brother, especially if I plan on meeting them. So an updated photo is a must.

I tried it once, with no picture. Not happening again.