How does Bumble work? I hated it for the longest time.
As a result, I was somewhat hesitant when I downloaded Bumble on my device again! I was worried that I would fall back into the same dating app monotony I successfully left behind months ago.
Moreover, I don’t want to swipe mindlessly without any excitement for the potential dates on my list. I remember giving up on Bumble months (if not years) ago. But I have been hearing rumors about Bumble’s reincarnation into something bigger and better – but could it be true?
Apparently, Bumble had become more digestible, personalized, and thoughtful – but I wasn’t convinced. The whole dating app scene is painfully similar – and finding something different is like a dream.
Rumors on community forums and friends have been talking about Bumble’s cleaner and calmer version – allegedly, it has become an app that is relatively more intentional. It sounded like the app has finally caught on to what women want: more clarity and less chaos.
So, I thought, why not check out this refurbished version of Bumble – instead of engaging in endless swiping and that too on a selfie or worse, group photos, I wanted to see if I could actually connect me to like-minded people.
And with that goal in mind I downloaded Bumble. Stay tuned.
How Does Bumble Work?
You can easily create a profile on Bumble. To do so, just sign up with your phone number or Facebook account. Once you have signed up on the dating app, create your profile:
- Write a witty bio.
- Add real pictures.
- Share traits like exercise level and zodiac sign.
- Answer some prompts like “I get way too excited about…”
Before you start using Bumble, it’s best to set your preferences. For instance, you can use ‘Date Filters’ for determining location and age ranges. Moreover, you can also set whether you want to see women, men, or everyone. Sadly, there is no specific filter for trans and non-binary users.
Once you complete filling out your profile, it is time to start swiping. And in this case, Bumble shares some similarities with Tinder and most other dating apps – swipe right to like a profile, and left to dislike. Similarly, you can just scroll down to check a user’s profile.
Interestingly, Bumble comes with a unique feature – on the app, only women can text first unless the user is a man texting another man. As a woman on the app, you will get 24 hours to reply to your match, or else it will disappear.
However, once a conversation starts, the match will not disappear unless you unmatch or report them.
Also, you don’t necessarily have to use Bumble Date. If you are looking for something platonic, you can opt for Bumble BFF. Similarly, if you are looking for networking opportunities, then you can check out Bumble Bizz. In addition, the UX for both Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF is similar to Bumble Date, where users swipe to match. However, you can only be in one mode at a time.
How Does The Bumble Algorithm Function?
Like most other dating apps, Bumble’s matching algorithm is a closely guarded secret. But that does not really stop people from making speculations about the same.
On that note, here are some top theories about the algorithm of Bumble, and most importantly, how it works:
- People who have ‘liked’ your profile already will show up before others in the match queue. Some users have reported receiving a sudden surge in matches, followed by a gradual decline in the number.
- The algorithm does not really track your type. Instead, you wil get different varieties of matches including hair color, weight, and height. That means the algorithm does not actually curate profiles based on traits you have swiped right previously.
- Moreover, I have noticed that the app tends to show one person twice or even thrice if there are no new people in your specific area. This holds true for users you have previously swiped left on.
- Bumble tends to reward ‘good’ behavior. This means the app wants users to be discerning while swiping. So, if you tend to swipe right without any discrimination, then the algorithm might send your profile to the bottom of the stack. This, in turn, will impact the number of views you can get.
- The most popular profiles get the most visibility – this means the most right-swiped profiles will appear on your feed first. So, if you aren’t getting many swipes, it is possible that your profile isn’t getting much exposure. As a result, make your bio better and add some high-quality photos.
- Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how active you are on Bumble. Even if you have not logged into your account for several months, your profile might pop up in someone’s match queue. It is common for people to match with inactive users.
In-App Pricing For Bumble:
So, here are the in-app pricing for Bumble’s premium subscriptions:
| Time Period | Pricing |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $19.99 |
| 1 Month | $39.99 |
| 3 Months | $76.99 |
| Lifetime | $229.99 |
Alternatively, you can also check out Bumble Boost – it’s relatively cheaper. The in-app prices for Bumble Boost are listed below:
| Time Period | Pricing |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $8.99 |
| 1 Month | $16.99 |
| 3 Months | $33.99 |
| Lifetime | $54.99 |
Bumble Boost is pretty fun – with this, you can backtrack, A.K.A reverse your left swipes. Moreover, you can easily extend the time on yout matches for another 24 hours, enjoy unlimited swipes, and get one Spotlight weekly. FYI, being under the Spotlight means you will be on top of the swiping stack.
Also, with Bumble Boost, you can enjoy five SuperSwipes weekly – this means you can let a potential match know that you want to match with them, before swiping on time.
In addition to these perks, premium Bumble users enjoy:
- Unlimited number of advanced filters.
- Rematching with expired matches.
- Travel mode to swipe on the go.
- Viewing who has liked their profile.
The New Bumble That ACTUALLY Made A Difference
So, Bumble just did not update its appearance – it was an internal glow-up with a brand new set of features that actually made a difference. Let’s check out these features:
1. Discover:
This was the first thing I saw – Bumble’s Discover page! Instead of random profiles, Bumble now shows potential matches to users based on dating goals, communities, and shared interests. So, if you are looking for a long-term relationship, it will be a relief to see profiles seeking the same thing.
2. ID Verification:
This feature is a direct nod to women’s safety on the app – and I love Bumble for doing this! It made me feel safer instantly. With the help of ID verification, users can verify their identities with the help of an official ID.
This makes the whole experience better, considering it offers an additional trust in your match – the person you are chatting with is who they say they are.
3. Share Date:
This is another feature that makes safety a priority. I always inform someone I trust about my whereabouts, especially when I am meeting a man for the first time. And ladies, if you haven’t been doing so, this is your sign to start practicing this safety move.
The best part? Bumble allows users to share their details about their dates with trusted contacts directly from the app. It is a simple feature, really, but it is comforting to know that you can do this directly from the app.
4. Review Before You Send:
The ‘’Review Before You Send’ feature has existed for some time on Bumble. Initially, users could use this feature to share compliments. But now, this feature is applicable to both compliments and text messages.
Moreover, if a user flags a text as potentially offensive or inappropriate or fails to follow Bumble’s policies, then the app will ask the subsequent users to review the same and edit it. It’s small and powerful – plus, it makes conversations so much more genuine.
How Does Bumble Work For The Queer Community?
For straight users, it literally cannot get any better – the whole women-will-text-you-first approach has made Bumble safer than most dating apps in the market.
But what if you are not straight? For the Queer community, Bumble works somewhat differently. So, if you are a man looking for another man, for instance, both of you can text
If you’re not straight, Bumble works a little differently. If you’re a man looking for another man, for example, either of you can message first (though the 24-hour limit for both people still applies). The same is applicable for women seeking other women.
However, if you are a man seeking both women and men, then you can only text a man first – not a woman.
Also, if you identify as non-binary, then Bumble will ask you to choose whether your profile should be shown to men or to women. For me, this is highly non-inclusive and a major downside of the dating app.
Bumble Pros And Cons
So, let’s check out the pros and cons of Bumble:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Bumble is free and accessible to everyone. | 1. Bumble Boost will cost you $16.99 monthly, which is expensive. Tinder offers several premium plans, starting at $4.99 per month. |
| 2. Women get to message first. | 2. Men cannot message first, unless they are texting another man. |
| 3. Matches need to match and start talking within 24 hours – perfect for avoiding flakes. | 3. Matches disappear within a day if you don’t reply to or match with them. |
| 4. The app offers several filters and options for interests, hobbies, and lifestyles. | 4. Bumble has no filters for trans or non-binary people in terms of who they are looking for. |
| 5. The app offers fun prompts for knowing your match better. | 5. Users can only access one mode of Bumble at one time. |
| 6. Bumble Bizz and Bumble BFF make networking and platonic relationships a possibility. |
Is Bumble Better Than Tinder?
Considering Tinder’s somewhat infamous reputation, it is only normal to wonder whether Bumble could be a better alternative. While both apps have a similar interface, neither will serve you if you are not a fan of the swiping strategy.
However, if you don’t have a problem with swiping but hate appalling opening messages from straight men, then you can try out Bumble.
But then again, the 24-hour rule of Bumble can become daunting for everyone – sometimes, you might just not feel like chatting. You might be swiping at lunch break and forget to check your phone at work – it’s simple and can totally happen to anyone. Tinder fares better on this parameter, considering the app does not have any restraints.
Of course, Tinder does not have other services like Bizz or BFF. So, if you are already with someone and seeking something platonic, you can always try out Bumble – it does have a social networking side.
Is Bumble Making A Comeback In Online Dating?
Honestly, dating is just so different in 2025 – and I’m all for it. Women are FINALLY calling the shots with more focus on safety, shared values, and authenticity. And Bumble is just starting to get that.
This version of the dating app does feel like it was created for people exhausted of being on dating apps – much like experiencing burnout with full-time jobs. Today, it is more about the quality of matches over quantity. Moreover, the overall experience does feel easier, laughter, and fun for a change!
My favorite takeaway? The shift in mentality. I’m not swiping aimlessly anymore. Instead, I am making matches who align with my goals and life before – thanks to Bumble, I don’t need to even have a conversation to find out whether a match is good for me. It is a small change that has made a HUGE difference in adding more comfort and confidence to online dating.
