Need To Choose The Perfect Selfie For Facebook Or Match? Ask A Stranger

We all want to make the best impression we can online.

Whether you’re networking to look for a new job, keeping in touch with friends and family, or putting yourself out there in the world of online dating, so much of what people see of our lives is in the pictures we choose. People carefully curate images that represent themselves to showcase, and they don’t typically pick profile pics that are unflattering. But researchers are finding that there’s a surprising way to make sure that you’re choosing your best photos.

Psychologists at the University of South Wales recently published a study that says the perfect person to choose your best selfies is actually a stranger.

Psychologists at the University of South Wales recently published a study that says the perfect person to choose your best selfies is actually a stranger.

Flickr / Ray Wewerka

As anyone who claims to take bad pictures knows, we have a pretty warped sense of whether or not we look good. No matter how much friends may say we look great, we just can’t see it.

Read More: Feeling Stupid? Don’t Worry. This Mom Is About To Make You Feel Like Einstein.

When it comes to first impressions, though, strangers learn a lot just by looking at us. When they see our pictures, the same rules apply.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTh83tMA5fS

Not only were strangers able to choose the most attractive or confident photos, they were also able to match them to the most appropriate online service.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTh8f28Av1D

The biggest difference was that the strangers were able to choose more photos that displayed competence and trustworthiness.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BThzyO4gxOJ

(via IFL Science)

Wow, I had no idea! Next time you need to make a great impression online, your best bet might be the friendly face on the street. Share this with all your internet-savvy friends!

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