Researchers at the University of Michigan analysed around 2,000 user profiles on various pages of the Sugar Daddy World analysed and used to create a profile of the ideal online dating candidate. The results, published in the Journal of the US National Academy of Sciences, provide surprisingly specific information on what makes a successful profile - and which mistakes you should definitely avoid.
For the Study analysed 1,855 profiles of New Yorkers, who agreed to make their data available for scientific purposes. A total of around 1.1 million interactions were included in the analysis. The researchers identified clear patterns that characterise successful profiles - profiles that attract significantly more young women and are contacted more frequently. These findings can be directly applied to the sugar dating scene in Germany, where platforms such as Sugar Daddy Planet are becoming increasingly important.
A key result: Those who do not upload a photo receive up to 20 times fewer profile visits. This applies equally to women and men. Smoking is also a deterrent - smoker profiles are viewed up to ten times less often. So if you are looking for a suitable sugar baby in the Frankfurt financial scene or the Hamburg media industry, you should add a high-quality, authentic photo to your profile.
It was also found that women pay much more attention to height and more frequently view profiles of men who are taller than themselves. Men, on the other hand, were less interested in height - but all the more interested in the figure of a potential partner. Age also plays a decisive role: profiles of 20-year-old women are visited ten times more often by men who are ten years older than in normal social networks. For 45-year-old women, the probability of being contacted by men ten years older increased by around ten per cent.
For some, sugar dating has long been more than just a dating service - it has a certain entertainment value. The conversations, the flirting by message, the playful way of getting to know each other: all this is part of the attraction that goes beyond a purely pragmatic agreement.
Below you will find ten tried-and-tested tips to help you find your sugar baby with confidence - and master the path to your first date:
Profile picture is mandatory
Profiles without a photo receive up to 20 times fewer visits. A high-quality, up-to-date picture is the most important factor in making a first impression when sugar dating - regardless of whether you are looking in Munich, Berlin or Düsseldorf.
Observe data protection
Use a separate email address and check the platform's GDPR compliance. Reputable sites have a data protection officer and do not pass on your data to third parties.
Check profiles carefully
Contradictory information on location or profession are warning signs. Pay attention to consistency and report suspicious profiles to the platform's support team.
Data protection and secure login
Data protection comes first - always. Create a separate e-mail address that does not contain your real name or other personal information. Don't be too quick to give out details such as your full name, address or telephone number to new online acquaintances. Discretion is particularly important in a city like Düsseldorf, where the business world is closely networked and it is easy to bump into people on the banks of the Rhine or in the historic city centre.
If maximum security is important to you, only register with reputable dating platforms. Personal data is generally not passed on to third parties and does not appear in search engines. Check whether the website complies with the European GDPR. In the privacy policy of a reputable site, you should find the name of a data protection officer, a clear indication of what your data will be used for and whether it will be passed on to third parties. Many platforms are based outside Europe and are not subject to the GDPR - a point you should bear in mind before sharing your data.
How to assess profiles correctly
If a profile contains contradictory or conspicuously little information, you should be careful. For example: The location shows Munich, but the person obviously seems to live in a completely different city. Or someone claims to work in the financial sector, but constantly emphasises that money is not an issue. Such inconsistencies are warning signals that you should take seriously.
Do you have doubts about the reliability of a person or are you receiving spam messages? Report this immediately to the platform's support team. The moderators can check the profile and delete it if necessary - so you protect yourself and other users. Quality control is an important criterion, especially on platforms that are aimed at a discerning audience.
Once you have found a promising candidate, take the next step and work on a good agreement. Give her Reasons to stay with you as a Sugar Baby and continue the relationship. And if it's not right? No problem - just keep browsing. There are plenty of profiles, and patience pays off.
Getting communication right from the start
To begin with, use the dating platform's internal messaging system instead of your private email. This gives you control over what information you disclose - and when. And if you want to end the contact, say so openly. With Sugar Daddy we attach great importance to simple, secure communication and are constantly working to improve it.
A common mistake: getting too personal too quickly. Anyone who immediately shares their mobile phone number in the first exchange of messages or suggests a meeting in their own home comes across as either naive or pushy. Both go down badly in sugar dating. It's better to write via the platform first, then perhaps switch to an encrypted messaging app and only meet in person after a few good conversations - for example in a café in Schwabing, a wine bar in Eppendorf or a restaurant in Cologne's Südstadt district.
Apart from that, tone also plays a role. German communication is direct, but not rude. It's okay to give a compliment, but it should come across as sincere and not sound like a phrase from a guidebook. Write as you would in real life - clearly, with interest and without excessive flattery. If you bend too much at the beginning, you won't be able to keep it up in the long run.
Beware of links and suspicious messages
The longer you write to someone, the more you learn about their hobbies, musical tastes and favourite books. Links to external sites may also appear. Don't blindly click on every link - unknown URLs can contain malware and jeopardise your computer or smartphone. This sounds like a matter of course, but in practice it happens surprisingly often. Stay vigilant, especially if someone tries to lure you to an external site that supposedly offers „better functions“.
Financial security takes priority
Any request for financial support during online communication should set alarm bells ringing. No matter how convincing the story sounds - whether it's a sudden illness, a lost wallet or an urgent rent claim: would you ask someone you hardly know for money? Exactly. Your financial security comes first.
In fact, this is one of the most common scams on dating platforms. A real sugar baby will never ask you for money before the first meeting. The financial component of a sugar dating relationship only arises once both parties have got to know each other and there is a clear agreement. If you go ahead with your wallet instead of your head, you will quickly become a victim on these platforms.
Secure communication
Use the platform's internal messaging system and only switch to encrypted messengers after a few conversations. Do not share your telephone number too quickly.
Recognising fraud
Asking for money before the first meeting is a clear warning sign. No real sugar baby will ask you for money online - the financial agreement only comes after you have met in person.
Keep patience
Finding the perfect sugar baby takes time. Take breaks when the search becomes frustrating and focus on quality rather than quantity. The best connections are often made unexpectedly.
Taking the next step - but the right one
Don't get stuck in the text phase forever. When you feel you've found the right girl, suggest a quick phone call: Flirt, tease her with words and steer towards a first date. A simple message is enough: „Chatting is good - it's better on the phone. Here's my number.“ A phone call shows genuine interest and gets you moving faster than endless text messages ever could.
There is nothing to lose. Please also read our article on The most common mistakes on a first date, so that you are prepared. For the first meeting, choose a place that exudes class but is not intimidating. A sophisticated café on Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg, a rooftop bar with a view over Hamburg's Hafencity or a quiet restaurant in Stuttgart's half-height location - the right setting makes all the difference.
Why breaks are important
In the beginning, the excitement is great: new profiles, exciting conversations, the tingling of possibilities. But this euphoria can quickly turn into frustration and fatigue, especially if the first few dates don't live up to expectations.
Finding the perfect sugar baby takes time - and there's a lot you should think about before you commit to an arrangement. If things are not going well, take a step back. Take a weekend at Lake Constance, treat yourself to a Sunday stroll through the English Garden or spend an evening with friends in the beer garden. Many men feel discouraged when their expectations are not immediately met. That's normal. Quality requires patience - this is especially true in Germany, where thoroughness and care are deeply rooted in the culture.
Good preparation before the date
Nothing is more frustrating than realising on a date that you have nothing to say to each other. Find out about your potential sugar baby's interests beforehand and clear up any doubts. Myths about sugar daddies on. Some young women come to the meeting with prejudices - be prepared for this and meet them with composure and humour.
As a sugar daddy, you know that it's not just about looks. A woman who squanders your money at parties is not the right choice for a long-term arrangement. Pay attention to your charisma and demeanour. German culture appreciates Objectivity and understatement - those who present themselves with discreet elegance rather than ostentation score much more points. And if something seems strange - trust your gut feeling. Nobody needs problems.
Last but not least, you should also find out about the cultural background of your potential sugar baby. Germany is diverse, and a student from Freiburg will have different expectations to a young professional from Frankfurt's banking district. Understanding and respecting these differences makes the difference between an average first date and a really successful one.
Enjoy the moment
Dates with sugar babies are all about one thing: having a good time. Fun, genuine conversations and a woman who enriches you as a person. Stay away from drama and find someone you can enjoy the moment with - whether it's a dinner together at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Jungfernstieg, a walk along Lake Starnberg or a cultural evening at the Semperoper in Dresden.
Ultimately, sugar dating is not about perfection, but about a connection that gives something to both sides. The best arrangements are made where generosity and genuine interest meet - without pressure, without expectations and with the respect that every relationship deserves. In fact, this is no secret: it is the basis of every functioning interpersonal connection, whether in sugar dating or elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions about the search for a sugar baby
A high-quality, up-to-date photo is the most important factor. Avoid group photos or heavily edited images. Describe your interests and what you are looking for in an agreement - clearly and honestly, without appearing overly formal.
Look out for inconsistencies such as contradictory location details, conspicuously little profile information or immediate demands for money. Very generic messages that are obviously sent to many users at the same time are also a warning sign.
Only after several good conversations via the platform's internal messaging system. Use an encrypted messenger first and only share your real number when you feel safe - ideally after an initial face-to-face meeting.
Take regular breaks and don't set yourself unrealistic time targets. The best connections are often made when you are not actively looking for them. Quality before quantity - this is especially true in sugar dating.
Studies show that men over 40 visit profiles of younger women much more frequently. At the same time, many women are interested in older men who have life experience and stability. The age difference is less of a taboo in sugar dating than in conventional relationships.
Choose a public place with a stylish ambience - a sophisticated restaurant, a café in an upmarket neighbourhood or a hotel bar. The place should exude class but not be intimidating. Avoid places that are too loud or crowded.
