Screen names matter just as much as an attractive photo in the online dating game, according to a recent study.

Researchers found that choosing a screen name with a letter starting in the top half of the alphabet increases the chance of finding love online.

For the study, researchers carried out an extensive search of relevant studies in the fields of psychology and sociology, as well as computer, behavioral, and neurocognitive sciences. Out of almost 4,000 studies, just 86 met their inclusion criteria.

Researchers found that starting a screen name with a letter between A to M of the alphabet is important because several measures of success, such as educational attainment and income are linked to names higher up the alphabet, added to which search engines sort names alphabetically.

Their findings also suggest that the screen name chosen for an online profile is important. Users on dating sites should avoid names with negative associations, such as "Little" or "Bug," and aim for something more playful, such as "Fun2bwith" as this type of name is universally attractive.

And would-be daters should take gender into consideration: men are more drawn to names that indicate physical attractiveness, such as "Cutie" while women go for names that signal intelligence, such as "Cultured."

It goes without saying that an attractive photo is essential. Researchers found that lovelorn people who posts photos that feature a genuine smile that crinkles up the eyes, and possibly a tilt of the head boost levels of interest.

When it comes to the headline message, don't use complex language in the belief that it will make you look more intelligent. It won't. People are naturally drawn to words that are easy to remember and pronounce, and ease of information processing increases likeability, the analysis shows.

"If you can get the potential date to stop and think about your headline message, increasing the exposure time to your primary photo, this will increase their liking [of you]," point out the researchers.

Investigators also pooled and synthesized the findings from the studies they reviewed to come up with a list of dos and don'ts for online dating, from creating a profile to making an approach.

Once interest has been piqued:

Do personalize any email invitations to correspond online

Do make it short and sweet

Don't be afraid to use poetry, preferably rhyming with the potential date's headline

Once contact has been made:

Do ask open questions

Do respond promptly: eagerness is not turn-off

Don't write screeds, but enough to indicate generosity with time

Do introduce humour

Do disclose some personal information

Don't sell yourself as a rare commodity that is worth having

If on a webcam:

Do smile

Do mimic body language

Don't slouch

Do pay genuine compliments, but don't flatter

Don't portray yourself as perfect: it arouses suspicion

Do end every conversation on a positive note/with a positive revelation about yourself

And finally, don't leave it too long before arranging a face to face meeting.

The findings are detailed in the journal Evidence Based Medicine.