How to Reply to How’s It Going on Dating Apps Without Killing the Vibe

You match with someone cute. You wait. The notification pops up. It is the dreaded, low-effort universal opener: “Hey, how’s it going?”

It’s the beige paint of dating apps. It is safe, boring, and incredibly easy to ignore. If you reply with the standard “Good, you?” you have officially entered the “Pen Pal Zone” where conversations go to die. You need to pivot. You need to take that low-energy opener and inject it with personality, wit, or a clear invitation to meet up.

This guide breaks down exactly how to reply to how’s it going on dating apps so you can stop typing “good” and start getting dates.

The Pattern Interrupt – Funny & Witty Replies

The sender probably sent “how’s it going” to five other people today. If you want to stand out, you have to break the script. Don’t answer the question literally. Instead, answer with a micro-story or an absurd lie that forces them to laugh.

Why it works: Humor is a high-value social signal. By using a “Pattern Interrupt,” you prove you are fun before you even meet. It gives them something specific to latch onto (coffee, dogs, tacos) for their next reply. If you need more ammo for casual openers, check our list of funny responses to what’s up.

The Flirty Escalation – Bold & Direct

Sometimes you just want to cut through the noise. If their profile is great and you feel a spark, skip the small talk. Use your reply to compliment them or initiate a flirtatious vibe immediately. This shows confidence and moves the interaction away from “friendly” and toward “romantic.”

The Vibe: This approach filters out people who are wishy-washy. If they flirt back, you are in. If they get scared off, you save yourself time. For early morning texts, you can adapt these from our guide on flirty good morning replies.

The Reverse Uno – Better Questions

The problem with “how’s it going” is that it puts all the pressure on you to be interesting. The “Reverse Uno” strategy answers the question briefly and then immediately pivots to a much more interesting question. You take the lead and steer the conversation where you want it to go.

Why it works: You are teaching them how to reply to how’s it going on dating apps by setting a better example. You are showing them that you expect more than one-word answers. If you need more question ideas, look at these responses to how was your day.

The Sarcastic Roast – Teasing & Banter

This lane is perfect for Hinge or Tinder where the culture is a bit more cynical and fast-paced. A little bit of teasing creates tension (the good kind). It shows you aren’t desperate for their approval. Caution: Use emojis to make sure they know you are joking.

The Vibe: High risk, high reward. This establishes a “chase” dynamic. If you want to keep the banter high-energy without being mean, check out these funny responses to how are you.

The Monday Blues – Relatable Honesty

Sometimes you are tired. Sometimes work sucks. You don’t have to lie and say you are “living the dream.” Being slightly vulnerable or complaining about something relatable (like traffic or laundry) creates an instant bond. It feels authentic.

Why it works: It lowers the barrier. Perfection is intimidating; exhaustion is relatable. It invites them to say, “Same, my day was crazy too.” If you want to transition this into a sweeter conversation later, look at sweet paragraphs to send to your crush.

The Date Bait – Setup The Meet

If you have been chatting for a bit and the conversation died, and they revived it with “how’s it going,” do not restart the small talk loop. Use this opportunity to bridge the gap to an in-person meeting.

Why it works: Intentionality is attractive. Most people on dating apps are passive. By making a plan, you solve the problem of “what do we talk about next?” For more general text etiquette, see our guide on how to respond to a good morning text.

Seal the Date

Knowing how to reply to how’s it going on dating apps is about refusing to be boring. The “how’s it going” text is a test. It tests whether you will accept low effort or if you will raise the energy level.

Don’t overthink it. Pick the response that matches your actual mood whether that is sassy, tired, flirty, or direct and hit send. The worst thing you can do is say “Good.” Anything else is a step in the right direction.

The Texting Hotline

What if I reply and they just say “lol”?

If you send a witty reply and get a dry “lol” or “haha” back, stop carrying the conversation. You can send one more “Reverse Uno” question, but if they give another one-word answer, unmatch or stop replying. They are boring.

How long should I wait to reply?

Don’t play games. If you see the message and you are free, reply. If you are busy, reply later. Answering immediately shows confidence, not desperation.

Is it ever okay to just say “Good, you?”

Only if you don’t really care about the outcome. If you are actually interested in the person, “Good, you?” is a conversation killer. It forces them to come up with a new topic.

What if they open with “Hey”?

This is even worse than “how’s it going.” Treat it the same way. Reply with a playful tease like “Hey? Just hey? I respond better to sonnets.” or pivot immediately to a question.

How do I revive a conversation that died after I answered?

Wait 2-3 days, then send a “re-opener.” Send a meme, a link to something relevant to their profile, or a random question like “Important question: best pizza topping?” Do not mention the dead silence. Just start fresh. Check how are you responses for more casual re-openers.