For dating it is important. We all have characteristics that attract us or turn us off. I think having a photo avatar increases you pool of candidates, people on a dating site would be less likely to attempt to engage people without at least one photo posted
This is very true about dating sites, and the amount of activity a person has is directly related to whether they have a photo or not. Sure we should fall in love with someone based on other things besides looks, but don't we want to be attracted to our partner?
