Bumble
{{Short description|Social media company (founded 2014)}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bumble Inc.
| logo = Bumble Logo 2024.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption =
| logo_alt =
| type = Public
| parent =
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ|BMBL}}
| ISIN =
| industry = Online dating
| fate =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| founded = {{start date and age|2014}}
| founder = Whitney Wolfe Herd
| defunct =
| hq_location_city = Austin, Texas
| hq_location_country = United States
| area_served =
| key_people = {{unbulleted list | Whitney Wolfe Herd (CEO) | Ann Mather (chair)}}
| products =
| brands = Badoo
| revenue = {{increase}} {{US$|1.07 billion|link=yes}}
| revenue_year = 2024
| operating_income = {{nowrap| {{Decrease}} {{US$|-700 million}}}}
| income_year = 2024
| net_income = {{nowrap |{{Decrease}} {{US$|-557 million}}}}
| net_income_year = 2024
| assets = {{decrease}} {{US$| 2.52 billion}}
| assets_year = 2024
| equity = {{decrease}} {{US$| 1.35 billion}}
| equity_year = 2024
| num_employees = 1,200
| num_employees_year = 2023
| website = {{URL|https://bumble.com}}
| footnotes = {{cite web |title=Bumble Inc. 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1830043/000095017025030151/bmbl-20241231.htm |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |language=en-US |date=February 28, 2025 |access-date=March 3, 2025 }}{{cite web |title=Bumble Inc. Annual Report 2022 |url=https://s202.q4cdn.com/372973788/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/Bumble-Inc-Annual-Report-2022.pdf |website=Bumble |language=en-US |date=May 30, 2023 |access-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531093117/https://s202.q4cdn.com/372973788/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/Bumble-Inc-Annual-Report-2022.pdf |url-status=live }}
}}
Bumble is an online dating and networking application launched in 2014. Profiles of potential matches are displayed to users, who can "swipe left" to reject a candidate or "swipe right" to indicate interest. The app is a product of Bumble Inc., founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd shortly after she left Tinder. Wolfe Herd has described Bumble as a "feminist dating app".
The company is valued at more than $1 billion, reportedly having over 50 million users in 190 countries as of 2023.{{cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Billion-Dollar Bumble: How Whitney Wolfe Herd Built America's Fastest-Growing Dating App |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213170803/https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2017/11/14/billion-dollar-bumble-how-whitney-wolfe-herd-built-americas-fastest-growing-dating-app/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2017 |website=Forbes}}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2019/05/10/bumble-moves-making-impact/#4694cb685257 |title=Bumble Launched A New Initiative To Support A Cause Whenever A Woman Makes The First Move |date=May 10, 2019 |last=Gross |first=Elana Lyn |website=Forbes |access-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-date=July 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701152551/https://www.forbes.com/sites/elanagross/2019/05/10/bumble-moves-making-impact/#4694cb685257 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://helplama.com/bumble-revenue-usage-statistics/#users|title=Bumble Revenue and Usage Statistics 2024|website=Help Lama|date=October 2024|access-date=October 18, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/BMBL/key-statistics/|title=Bumble Inc. (BMBL)|website=Yahoo Finance|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
As of June 2024, Bumble was the most downloaded dating application in the United States with 735,000 downloads.{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238390/most-popular-dating-apps-us-by-number-of-downloads/#:~:text=Most%20popular%20dating%20apps%20in%20the%20U.S.%202024%2C%20by%20number%20of%20downloads&text=Bumble%20was%20the%20most%20downloaded,%2Dterm%20connection%2Doriented%20Hinge.|title=Most popular dating apps in the United States in June 2024, by number of monthly downloads|website=Statista|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
History
Whitney Wolfe Herd, an early VP of Marketing at Tinder, founded Bumble shortly after leaving Tinder.{{cite web |title=Report: Ousted Tinder Cofounder Settled Her Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Against The Company For 'Just Over $1 Million' |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |work=Business Insider |access-date=February 21, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213095913/https://www.businessinsider.com/whitney-wolfe-settles-sexual-harassment-tinder-lawsuit-1-million-2014-11 |url-status=live }} Wolfe Herd sued Tinder for sexual discrimination and harassment and settled for just over $1 million in September 2014. Amidst the media attention surrounding the lawsuit, acquaintance, Badoo founder and CEO Andrey Andreev contacted Wolfe Herd via email, and the two met up.{{cite web |title=What It's Like To Found A $750 Million Startup, Go Through A Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit, And Start All Over By Age 25 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |work=Business Insider |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213133618/https://www.businessinsider.com/tinder-co-founder-whitney-wolfe-and-bumble-2015-1 |url-status=live }} The pair formed a partnership: Andreev received 79% ownership in the company for an initial investment of $10 million, along with additional investments; Wolfe Herd served as founder, CEO, and 20% owner. As part of the agreement, the new company would also utilize Badoo's infrastructure and Andreev's consulting. Wolfe Herd said the partnership was key due to Andreev's "knowledge and infrastructure".
After the partnership was established, the pair recruited fellow Tinder departees Chris Gulczynski and Sarah Mick to design the interface and help launch Bumble. Bumble was launched three months later in December 2014.{{cite news |title=Bumble is a dating app where women take lead |url=https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/04/28/bumble-is-a-dating-app-where-women-take-lead.html |work=The Star |date=April 28, 2015 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029060452/https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/04/28/bumble-is-a-dating-app-where-women-take-lead.html |url-status=live }} Infrastructure in Badoo's London headquarters was used for Bumble.* {{Cite news |last=Au-Yeung |first=Angel |title=The Russian Billionaire Cupid Behind The Biggest Dating App in the World |language=en |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800 |access-date=May 27, 2018 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317143535/https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2018/03/12/russian-billionaire-cupid-andrey-andreev-most-popular-dating-app-badoo/#12b6daa47800 |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2019/07/08/exclusive-investigation-sex-drugs-misogyny-and-sleaze-at-the-hq-of-bumbles-owner/|title=Exclusive Investigation: Sex, Drugs, Misogyny And Sleaze At The HQ Of Bumble's Owner|work=Forbes|last=Au-Yeung|first=Angel|date=July 8, 2019|accessdate=March 17, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502154558/https://www.forbes.com/sites/angelauyeung/2019/07/08/exclusive-investigation-sex-drugs-misogyny-and-sleaze-at-the-hq-of-bumbles-owner/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html|title=Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Bumble's Majority Investor Threaten to Throttle the Company's Pro-Woman Cred|work=Inc.|last=Albert-Deitch|first=Cameron|date=July 9, 2019|accessdate=March 17, 2024|archive-date=March 4, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304121602/https://www.inc.com/cameron-albert-deitch/badoo-bumble-toxic-workplace-sexism-allegations.html|url-status=live}}
The company was valued at more than $1 billion in November 2017. When private equity firm Blackstone Inc. purchased a majority stake in Bumble's parent company MagicLab, Bumble and its sister apps were valued at $3 billion.Ruth Reader, [https://www.fastcompany.com/90428425/dating-app-bumble-and-its-sister-apps-are-now-worth-3-billion Dating app Bumble and its sister apps are now worth $3 billion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903114431/https://www.fastcompany.com/90428425/dating-app-bumble-and-its-sister-apps-are-now-worth-3-billion |date=September 3, 2020 }}, Fast Company (November 8, 2019). Bumble and its sister apps earned $162 million in net revenue in 2018. In 2020, MagicLab was renamed Bumble Inc. as the parent company of both Bumble and Badoo.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90527896/bumble-hits-100-million-users-and-has-new-plans-to-take-over-the-dating-world|title=Bumble hits 100 million users—and has new plans to take over the dating world|first=Nicole|last=LaPorte|date=July 15, 2020|website=Fast Company|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-date=August 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803020022/https://www.fastcompany.com/90527896/bumble-hits-100-million-users-and-has-new-plans-to-take-over-the-dating-world|url-status=live}} As of 2020, Bumble had been downloaded over 100 million times.
The company headquarters are in Austin, Texas, and, as of 2021, had 650 employees globally.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2021/02/bumble-boosts-ipo-to-raise.html?page=all|title=Bumble boosts its IPO price on path to raising $1.8B|website=Bizjournals.com|access-date=November 30, 2021|archive-date=August 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807130916/https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2021/02/bumble-boosts-ipo-to-raise.html?page=all|url-status=live}}
In February 2021, Bumble raised $2.2 billion through its IPO and the company had a valuation of over $7 billion.{{Cite web |last=Subin |first=Samantha |date=February 11, 2021 |title=Bumble IPO: The female founder behind the dating app making market history |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/bumble-ipo-the-woman-behind-dating-app-making-market-history.html |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401145818/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/11/bumble-ipo-the-woman-behind-dating-app-making-market-history.html |url-status=live }} Bumble was listed on the Nasdaq exchange, with shares initially valued at $43 but increasing to $76 on its opening day, valuing the company at more than $13 billion.{{cite web |title=Bumble: Female-founded dating app tops $13bn in market debut |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56031281 |website=BBC News |access-date=February 12, 2021 |date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=February 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215140153/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-56031281 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Kruppa |first1=Miles |last2=Murphy |first2=Hannah |title=Bumble valued at $13bn as investors fall in love with dating app |url=https://www.ft.com/content/59b22880-22ea-4415-b9d6-8721301d44c9 |url-access=subscription |website=Financial Times |access-date=February 12, 2021 |date=February 11, 2021 |archive-date=February 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214161440/https://www.ft.com/content/59b22880-22ea-4415-b9d6-8721301d44c9 |url-status=live }} By November 2021, the company's shares had fallen by 20% after a quarterly earnings report which posited a decline in user growth, and users prepared to pay for its premium features.{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/11/21/bumble-hits-a-speed-bump-why-the-dating-apps-shares-are-at-a-low-since-its-buzzy-ipo/?sh=589478b32c37 |title=Bumble Hits A Speed Bump—Why The Dating App's Shares Are At A Low Since Its Buzzy IPO |date=November 21, 2021 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Forbes |last=McEvoy |first=Jemima |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124113349/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/11/21/bumble-hits-a-speed-bump-why-the-dating-apps-shares-are-at-a-low-since-its-buzzy-ipo/?sh=589478b32c37 |url-status=live }}
In February 2022, Bumble announced it had acquired Fruitz, a French-owned freemium dating app popular with Gen Z and used across Europe.{{Cite web|title=Dating App Owner Bumble Buys France's Fruitz In First Acquisition|url=https://minutehack.com//news/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-in-first-acquisition|access-date=2022-02-07|website=Minutehack|language=en|archive-date=February 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207181900/https://minutehack.com//news/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-in-first-acquisition|url-status=live}} This was the company's first acquisition.{{Cite news |date=February 7, 2022 |title=Dating app owner Bumble buys France's Fruitz in first acquisition |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-first-acquisition-2022-02-07/ |access-date=2022-04-01 |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318162619/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dating-app-owner-bumble-buys-frances-fruitz-first-acquisition-2022-02-07/ |url-status=live }}
Starting in April 2022, Bumble users who report abuse are eligible for a collection of free courses from Bloom, an online provider of support for assault survivors.{{Cite web |last=II |first=Moises Mendez |date=April 25, 2022 |title=Bumble is offering free trauma support for sexual assault victims |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90745491/bumble-is-offering-free-trauma-support-for-sexual-assault-victims |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Fast Company |language=en-US |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010237/https://www.fastcompany.com/90745491/bumble-is-offering-free-trauma-support-for-sexual-assault-victims |url-status=live }}
By November 2023, its fourth-quarter earnings showed that inflation and growing competition with Tinder had reduced user spending on its app's paid features.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/bumble-declines-higher-expenses-fan-concerns-about-tinder-competition-2023-08-08/ |title=Bumble declines as higher expenses fan concerns about Tinder competition |date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Reuters |last=Saini |first=Manya }} The news coincided with its founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd stepping down and Slack's chief executive Lidiane Jones replacing her.{{Cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/bumble-projects-quarterly-revenue-below-estimates-2023-11-07/ |title=Bumble forecasts weak fourth-quarter revenue, shares fall |date=November 8, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=Reuters |last=Singh |first=Jaspreet |archive-date=November 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124122645/https://www.reuters.com/technology/bumble-projects-quarterly-revenue-below-estimates-2023-11-07/ |url-status=live }}
In February 2024, Bumble announced plans of laying off 350 employees as part of a restructuring plan, which constitutes 30% of Bumble's workforce.{{Cite news |last=Capoot |first=Ashley |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Bumble to lay off 350 employees as tech industry job cuts mount |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/bumble-layoffs-350-employees-or-about-37percent-of-workforce.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=CNBC |archive-date=May 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240503170600/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/27/bumble-layoffs-350-employees-or-about-37percent-of-workforce.html }}{{Cite news |last=Lung |first=Natalie |date=February 28, 2024 |title=Bumble joins the tech layoff trend, cutting a third of its staff after CEO shakeup as it struggles to entice new paying users to its dating apps |url=https://fortune.com/2024/02/28/bumble-joins-tech-layoff-trend-cutting-third-staff-ceo-shakeup-struggles-entice-new-paying-users-dating-apps/ |access-date=May 3, 2024 |work=Fortune |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010234/https://fortune.com/2024/02/28/bumble-joins-tech-layoff-trend-cutting-third-staff-ceo-shakeup-struggles-entice-new-paying-users-dating-apps/ |url-status=live }}
Bumble acquired the friend-finding group chat app Geneva in June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/bumble-expands-social-circle-geneva-friend-finding-app-acquisition|title=Bumble expands social circle with Geneva friend-finding app acquisition|website=Fox|date=June 13, 2024|author=Jessica Formoso|access-date=October 18, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/bumble-buys-geneva-friendship-app-b2548961.html|title=Bumble buys community-focused app Geneva to further expand into friendship market|website=The Independent|date=May 21, 2024|author=Olivia Hebert|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
In January 2025, founder Whitney Wolfe Herd announced that she would be returning as Bumble's CEO in March.{{cite web
| url = https://fortune.com/2025/01/17/bumble-ceo-lidiane-jones-resignation-whitney-wolfe-herd/| website = Fortune
| date = January 17, 2025|title= Bumble’s new CEO is already leaving the company as shares fell 54% since killing the signature feature and letting men message first
}}
Operation
= Matching users =
Users swipe right to "like" a potential match and left to reject them.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dave |date=March 1, 2021 |title=How does Bumble work for men? Here's how Bumble chats differ for men, women, and non-binary users |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/how-does-bumble-work-for-men |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} In matches between a man and a woman, the woman must initiate the conversation with their match or the matches disappear within 24 hours; either person in a same-sex match can reach out.{{cite web |url=https://www.therockysafari.com/2014/12/02/can-gay-men-use-bumble-the-new-dating-app/ |work=The Rocky Safari |date=December 2, 2014 |title=Can Gay Men Use Bumble – The New Dating App? |access-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-date=October 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134907/https://www.therockysafari.com/2014/12/02/can-gay-men-use-bumble-the-new-dating-app/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/02/bumble-is-exactly-like-tinder-except-girls-are-in-charge/ |work=TechCrunch |date=December 2, 2014 |title=Bumble Is Exactly Like Tinder Except Girls Are In Charge |access-date=June 25, 2017 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212000710/https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/02/bumble-is-exactly-like-tinder-except-girls-are-in-charge/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bumble Is Exactly Like Tinder Except Girls Are In Charge |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/02/bumble-is-exactly-like-tinder-except-girls-are-in-charge/ |work=Techcrunch |date=December 2, 2014 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212000710/https://techcrunch.com/2014/12/02/bumble-is-exactly-like-tinder-except-girls-are-in-charge/ |url-status=live }} This process changed in 2024 when Bumble launched Opening Moves; the feature allows female users to add prompts to their profiles for men to respond to. For same-sex and nonbinary users, either person can use these prompts.{{Cite web |last=Duffy |first=Clare |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Dating app Bumble will no longer require women to make the first move |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/30/tech/bumble-relaunch-men-make-first-move/index.html |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Topping |first=Alexandra |date=May 4, 2024 |title='A lot of effort to get one date': Bumble app makes women's first move easier |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/may/04/a-lot-of-effort-to-get-one-date-bumble-app-makes-womens-first-move-easier |access-date=2024-09-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2024/05/06/1249296671/bumble-dating-apps-women-opening-moves|title=Women no longer have to make the first move on Bumble. Will it make the app better?|website=NPR|date=May 6, 2024|author=Claire Murashima|access-date=October 18, 2024}}{{Cite news |last=Sellman |first=Mark |date=May 5, 2024 |title=Bumble's women worn out with making the first move |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/social-media/article/bumble-app-online-dating-women-first-move-3tvk3sw3n |access-date=2024-05-05 |language=en |issn=0140-0460 |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807130808/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/social-media/article/bumble-app-online-dating-women-first-move-3tvk3sw3n |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Safronova |first=Valeriya |date=April 30, 2024 |title=Women on Bumble No Longer Have to Make the First Move |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/style/bumble-dating-apps.html |access-date=2024-05-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=May 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505193114/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/30/style/bumble-dating-apps.html |url-status=live }}
The app has features allowing the user to have favorite conversations, sort conversations, make calls, and send photo messages.{{cite web |date=February 6, 2015 |title=Bumble, The Sadie Hawkins Of Dating Apps, Introduces Direct Photo Messaging |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/06/bumble-the-sadie-hawkins-of-dating-apps-introduces-direct-photo-messaging/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705184743/https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/06/bumble-the-sadie-hawkins-of-dating-apps-introduces-direct-photo-messaging/ |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |access-date=June 3, 2015 |work=Tech Crunch}}
In March 2016, Bumble released BFF mode as a way for users to find platonic friends. After switching into the mode, the app replaces potential dates with people of the user's same sex who are also looking for friends.{{cite web |date=March 6, 2016 |title=Bumble Now Lets You Switch to BFF Mode to Find Real Friends, Not Just Friends With Benefits |url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/138985/20160306/bumble-now-lets-you-switch-to-bff-mode-to-find-real-friends-not-just-friends-with-benefits.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084109/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/138985/20160306/bumble-now-lets-you-switch-to-bff-mode-to-find-real-friends-not-just-friends-with-benefits.htm |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=January 4, 2017}} BFF mode uses the same swipe right or left platform as the app's dating mode and requires that a conversation is started within 24 hours of matching with a potential friend. Conversations started with potential friends are color-coded as green as opposed to yellow for dates. As the feature was rolled out, Bumble also announced that it would eventually release a dual-profile feature allowing users to curate a profile for dating or friendship.{{cite web |date=March 17, 2016 |title=I Tried to Find a New BFF on Bumble and Found Something Better |url=http://mashable.com/2016/03/17/bumble-bff-review/#hSO_FLfzPkqO |website=Mashable.com}}{{cite web |date=March 4, 2016 |title=Bumble Launches BFF, A Feature to Find New Friends |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/04/bumble-launches-bff-a-feature-to-find-new-friends/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084440/https://techcrunch.com/2016/03/04/bumble-launches-bff-a-feature-to-find-new-friends/ |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |website=Techcrunch.com}}
In April 2016, the Bumble app was updated to combat ghosting. As part of the update, if a user is messaged after matching with a potential partner and does not respond within 24 hours, the match disappears.{{cite news |last1=McGoogan |first1=Cara |date=April 13, 2016 |title=Tinder Rival Bumble Blocks Despicable 'Ghosting' By Making Users Reply Within 24 Hours |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/04/13/tinder-rival-bans-ghosting-by-making-users-reply-within-24-hours/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/04/13/tinder-rival-bans-ghosting-by-making-users-reply-within-24-hours/ |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} Before the update, men were allowed unlimited time to respond to a message from women. An update was also launched for same-sex matches, with either party allowed to initiate and the other having to respond within 24 hours.{{cite web |date=April 25, 2016 |title=Dating App Bumble Just Changed for Men in a Major Way |url=http://mashable.com/2016/04/25/bumble-24-hours-men/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084428/http://mashable.com/2016/04/25/bumble-24-hours-men/ |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |website=Mashable.com}}
In 2020, the app introduced a wider range of gender identity options for users to identify as genderqueer or transgender, following an article by The Daily Dot.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/bumble-vs-tinder/ |title=Is Bumble really better than Tinder? |work=The Daily Dot |last=Hubby |first=Kristen |date=February 19, 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=July 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712221820/https://www.dailydot.com/irl/bumble-vs-tinder/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://bumble.com/the-buzz/genderidentity|title=Here Are Bumble's Inclusive Gender Identity Options|publisher=Bumble Trading Inc|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=November 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128111443/https://bumble.com/the-buzz/genderidentity|url-status=live}}
= Content moderation =
In August 2017, Bumble partnered with the Anti-Defamation League to remove users who display hate symbols in their profiles.{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Bumble dating app joins forces with ADL to 'ban all forms of hate' |url=https://www.jta.org/2017/08/17/united-states/bumble-dating-app-joins-forces-with-adl-to-ban-all-forms-of-hate |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923020137/https://www.jta.org/2017/08/17/united-states/bumble-dating-app-joins-forces-with-adl-to-ban-all-forms-of-hate |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2021 |website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency}}{{Cite web |date=August 18, 2017 |title=Bumble Joins ADL To Ban Hate On Date Site |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/380371/bumble-joins-adl-to-ban-hate-on-date-site/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925013429/https://forward.com/fast-forward/380371/bumble-joins-adl-to-ban-hate-on-date-site/ |archive-date=September 25, 2020 |access-date=February 14, 2021 |website=The Forward}}
In March 2018, Bumble banned photos of users posing with guns following the Parkland high school shooting.{{Cite news |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Guns banned on dating app Bumble |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43301733 |access-date=2024-08-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=August 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817120411/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43301733 |url-status=live }}
As reported by Wired in 2023, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism interviewed content moderators working for Bumble, finding that they claimed to experience anxiety, depression, and PTSD associated with their work, with concerns about professional mental health support, productivity targets, and understaffing.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/bumble-grindr-and-hinge-moderators-trauma/|title=Bumble, Grindr, and Hinge Moderators Struggle to Keep Users—and Themselves—Safe|magazine=Wired|last=McIntyre|first=Niamh|date=November 20, 2023|accessdate=March 17, 2024|archive-date=March 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311135049/https://www.wired.com/story/bumble-grindr-and-hinge-moderators-trauma/|url-status=live}}
In July 2024, Bumble introduced a reporting option for profiles using photos generated by artificial intelligence.{{Cite news |date=July 10, 2024 |title=Bumble adds option to report fake profiles that use AI-generated photos: Report |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/bumble-adds-option-to-report-fake-profiles-that-use-ai-generated-photos/article68388037.ece |access-date=2024-08-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716170849/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/internet/bumble-adds-option-to-report-fake-profiles-that-use-ai-generated-photos/article68388037.ece |url-status=live }}
= User verification =
Formerly, Bumble users were required to log in via Facebook when signing up. In April 2018, Bumble added an option to sign up using only a phone number, following Facebook's involvement in a controversy with Cambridge Analytica.{{cite web |last=Seppala |first=Timothy J. |date=April 16, 2018 |title=You don't need a Facebook account to use Bumble |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/16/bumble-facebook-login/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010248/https://gum.criteo.com/syncframe?origin=publishertag&topUrl=www.engadget.com&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=&us_privacy=1YNN&gpp=DBABBg~BVoIgACA.QA&gpp_sid=8 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |work=Engadget}} For users who sign up with Facebook, information from their account is used to build a profile with photos and basic information, including the user's college and job.
Bumble launched a photo verification tool in September 2016 to ensure that users of the app were the same people in their profile pictures. To be verified, users are asked to submit a selfie of them performing a specific pose; the picture is reviewed by a real person who ensures the user is the person in the profile pictures.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/22/bumble-will-soon-let-users-get-verified-in-an-effort-to-squash-impersonators/ |title=Bumble Will Soon Let Users Get Verified in an Effort to Squash Impersonators |website=Techcrunch.com |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084640/https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/22/bumble-will-soon-let-users-get-verified-in-an-effort-to-squash-impersonators/ |url-status=live }} Bumble was the first dating app to include photo verification in the US.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/bumble-selfie-verification/ |title=Bumble Wants to Keep You From Being Catfished, Launches New Selfie Verification Tool |website=Digitaltrends.com |date=September 23, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010253/https://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/bumble-selfie-verification/ |url-status=live }} In 2025, the app also included an option to become ID-verified.
= Filters =
In 2020, Bumble announced a temporary feature that allowed users to expand their distance filters to match with anyone in the same country. Previously, the app only allowed people to connect within a {{convert|100|mile|adj=on}} range. Daters could also add a "virtual dating" badge to their profile to indicate that they are willing to date over video calls.{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=April 14, 2020 |title=Bumble now lets people match with anyone in their country |url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/14/21220574/bumble-location-virtual-dating-update-video-voice-call-donation |access-date=2022-04-01 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=April 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401151234/https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/14/21220574/bumble-location-virtual-dating-update-video-voice-call-donation |url-status=live }}
On January 15, 2021, Bumble temporarily suspended the option to filter matches by political preference to "prevent misuse". The move came after several women allegedly used Bumble to gather information from people who had attacked the United States Capitol, and then forwarded that information to the FBI. Bumble was criticized by many of its users for being perceived to "protect terrorists" by suspending the filter.{{cite news |last=Dillon |first=Nancy |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Dating app Bumble suspends political filter after women allegedly used it to report Capitol rioters to FBI |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-bumble-suspends-political-affiliation-filter-after-capitol-riots-20210115-snuxunecqvefzgm4olcouryswq-story.html |work=New York Daily News |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115210533/https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-bumble-suspends-political-affiliation-filter-after-capitol-riots-20210115-snuxunecqvefzgm4olcouryswq-story.html |url-status=live }} Bumble announced that it would be reinstating the option to filter by political preferences later that day.{{cite news |last=Bote |first=Joshua |date=January 15, 2021 |title=Bumble reinstates political views filter after women reported Capitol rioters on the app to FBI |url=https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/Bumble-political-views-filter-Capitol-rioters-FBI-15873750.php |work=SFGATE |access-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115160235/https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/Bumble-political-views-filter-Capitol-rioters-FBI-15873750.php |url-status=live }}
= Paid subscriptions =
In August 2016, Bumble announced the release of its paid service, Bumble Boost, which includes three premium features.{{cite web |url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/179251-bumble-boost-bumbles-new-paid-features-lets-you-match-with-people-without-swiping |title=Bumble Boost, Bumble's New Paid Features, Lets You Match With People Without Swiping |website=Bustle.com |date=August 24, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084055/https://www.bustle.com/articles/179251-bumble-boost-bumbles-new-paid-features-lets-you-match-with-people-without-swiping |url-status=live }} These features included Beeline, a list of users who have liked the user; Rematch, which keeps expired matches in a user's queue for 24 additional hours; and Extend, which allows users unlimited 24-hour extensions for matches.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/15/bumble-is-adding-paid-features-to-help-find-your-perfect-match/ |title=Bumble is Adding Paid Features to Help Find Your Perfect Match |website=Engadget.com |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105083725/https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/15/bumble-is-adding-paid-features-to-help-find-your-perfect-match/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/15/bumble-is-finally-monetizing-with-paid-features-to-better-help-you-find-a-match/ |title=Bumble is Finally Monetizing With Paid Features to Better Help You Find a Match |website=Techcrunch.com |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=January 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105084838/https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/15/bumble-is-finally-monetizing-with-paid-features-to-better-help-you-find-a-match/ |url-status=live }}
= Use of artificial intelligence =
In April 2019, Bumble launched Private Detector, an image classifier for detecting unsolicited nude photos. It allows users to decide if they want to view, block or report the image.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Dami |date=April 24, 2019 |title=Bumble's "private detector" AI will automatically detect and blur lewd images |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/24/18514247/bumble-private-detector-ai-filter-lewd-images |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207004002/https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/24/18514247/bumble-private-detector-ai-filter-lewd-images |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Quach |first=Katyanna |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Bumble open sources AI code to automatically blur NSFW photos |url=https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/31/in_brief_ai/ |access-date=August 13, 2023 |website=The Register |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327001333/https://www.theregister.com/2022/10/31/in_brief_ai/ |url-status=live }} Bumble made the tool open source in October 2022.
In February 2024, Bumble introduced Deception Detector, a machine learning model that detects fake user profiles. Of those accounts identified as spam/scam profiles, Bumble Inc.’s testing showed that Deception Detector was able to block up to 95% these accounts automatically.{{Cite web |last=Malik |first=Aisha |date=February 5, 2024 |title=Bumble's new AI tool identifies and blocks scam accounts, fake profiles |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/02/05/bumbles-new-ai-tool-identifies-and-blocks-scam-accounts-and-fake-profiles/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=February 7, 2024 |title=Bumble introduces new AI powered 'Deception Detector' to detect fake profiles |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/bumble-introduces-new-ai-powered-deception-detector-to-detect-fake-profiles-9148175/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240208171201/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/bumble-introduces-new-ai-powered-deception-detector-to-detect-fake-profiles-9148175/ |url-status=live }} That March, Bumble collaborated with Phaedra Parks, Parvati Shallow and Peter Weber of the Peacock reality show The Traitors to launch the feature.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Tara |date=March 14, 2024 |title=The Traitors Stars Collab with Bumble to Launch the Deception Detector |url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-traitors-bumble-collab-deception-detector |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=NBC Insider Official Site |language=en-US |archive-date=July 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728171134/https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-traitors-bumble-collab-deception-detector |url-status=live }}
In August 2024, Bumble said it is developing a chatbot to help users with flirting.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/7df96597-8761-4315-8ac5-0d287c455de4|title=Dating apps develop AI 'wingmen' to generate better chat-up lines|last=Stacey|first=Stephanie|date=August 30, 2024|work=Financial Times}}
= Other features =
In June 2016, Bumble announced a partnership with Spotify that would allow users to connect a Spotify account to their profile to show their music interests.{{cite web |last=Farber |first=Madeline |date=June 16, 2016 |title=Spotify and Bumble Are Eliminating This Awkward Dating Question |url=http://fortune.com/2016/06/16/spotify-bumble-dating-app/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221095202/http://fortune.com/2016/06/16/spotify-bumble-dating-app/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |work=Fortune}}
In March 2017, the company announced its plan to launch a career networking app, Bumble Bizz. In October 2017, the company launched Bumble Bizz which also uses a woman-first interface.
In September 2018, a "snooze" feature was added to allow users to pause activity and avoid using the app for some time.{{cite web |last=Hinchliffe |first=Emma |date=September 6, 2018 |title=Bumble Adds Snooze Feature: 'We Aren't Scared of Damaging Our Bottom Line' |url=http://fortune.com/2018/09/06/bumble-adds-snooze-feature-we-arent-scared-of-damaging-our-bottom-line/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907125154/http://fortune.com/2018/09/06/bumble-adds-snooze-feature-we-arent-scared-of-damaging-our-bottom-line/ |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |work=Fortune}}
In June 2019, Bumble announced that it would be enabling in-app voice and video calls on all of its platforms, including Bumble, Bumble Bizz, and Bumble BFF. Users must match first before initiating a call.{{cite web |date=June 28, 2019 |title=Bumble now lets you call your matches without exchanging numbers |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/28/bumble-now-lets-you-call-your-matches-without-exchanging-numbers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807130805/https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/28/bumble-now-lets-you-call-your-matches-without-exchanging-numbers/ |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |access-date=2019-06-28 |website=Social.techcrunch.com |language=en-US}} Bumble's vice president of strategy reported "an 84 percent increase in video calls that were placed between users" during the COVID-19 pandemic.Ashley Carman, [https://www.theverge.com/21324221/tinder-bumble-video-virtual-dating-calls-feature-whyd-you-push-that-button-podcast Virtual dating is booming, but daters say it's not enough] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010236/https://www.theverge.com/21324221/tinder-bumble-video-virtual-dating-calls-feature-whyd-you-push-that-button-podcast|date=May 17, 2024}}, The Verge (July 15, 2020).
= Security vulnerabilities =
In June 2021, Stripe software engineer Robert Heaton found a security vulnerability in Bumble that would allow an attacker to obtain the exact location of its users via trilateration. Bumble fixed the vulnerability three days later and paid Heaton a bug bounty of $2000.{{Cite web |last=Claburn |first=Thomas |date=August 26, 2021 |title=Bumble fumble: Dude divines definitive location of dating app users despite disguised distances |url=https://theregister.com/2021/08/26/bumble_location_leak/ |access-date=August 15, 2024 |website=The Register}}{{Cite web |last=Spadafora |first=Anthony |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Bumble security flaw could have let anyone track you down |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/security-hole-in-dating-app-bumble-exposed-user-location-data |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303132058/https://www.techradar.com/news/security-hole-in-dating-app-bumble-exposed-user-location-data |url-status=live }}
In August 2024, researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium found that several dating apps, including Bumble, had vulnerabilities that would allow bad actors to obtain users' locations via trilateration.{{Cite web |last1=Dhondt |first1=Karel |last2=Pochat |first2=Victor Le |last3=Dimova |first3=Yana |last4=Joosen |first4=Wouter |last5=Volckaert |first5=Stijn |title=Swipe Left for Identity Theft: An Analysis of User Data Privacy Risks on Location-based Dating Apps |url=https://lepoch.at/files/dating-apps-usesec24.pdf |publisher=KU Leuven |access-date=August 15, 2024 |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722201854/https://lepoch.at/files/dating-apps-usesec24.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Al-Sibai |first=Noor |date=August 3, 2024 |title=Bumble and Hinge Let Creeps See Your Exact Location |url=https://futurism.com/the-byte/bumble-hinge-creeps-location |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=Futurism |archive-date=August 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804025303/https://futurism.com/the-byte/bumble-hinge-creeps-location |url-status=live }}
Users
As of 2024, Bumble had a reported 4 million paying users{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1233241/quarterly-bumble-paying-users/#:~:text=Bumble%3A%20quarterly%20paying%20users%20worldwide%20as%20of%20Q1%202024&text=users%20amounted%20to%20roughly%20four,around%203.4%20million%20paying%20users.|title=Number of paying Bumble Inc. users worldwide as of 2nd quarter 2024|website=Statista|access-date=October 18, 2024}} and was the most downloaded dating application in the United States with 735,000 downloads.{{cite web |url=http://businessinsider.com/dating-apps-that-have-highest-percentage-of-women-2016-6 |title=These are the dating apps that have the highest percentage of women |work=Business Insider |last=McAlone |first=Nathan |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908092831/https://www.businessinsider.com/dating-apps-that-have-highest-percentage-of-women-2016-6 |url-status=live }} Wolfe Herd stated that within the app's first eight months, it saw 5 million unique conversations initiated, all by women.{{cite web |title=How apps like Bumble and Hinge are making dating better for women |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-dating-apps-are-getting-better-for-women-2015-08-12 |work=Market Watch |date=August 12, 2015 |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304152554/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/how-dating-apps-are-getting-better-for-women-2015-08-12 |url-status=live }} In April 2018, Bumble reported that 85% of users were "looking for marriage or a boyfriend/girlfriend", while 4% of men and under 1% of women were "looking for a hookup". They also reported that 25% of users had gone on a first date with someone they found on the app within the previous month.{{cite web |url=https://mashable.com/2018/04/23/bumble-dating-user-survey-2018 |title=Bumble is out to prove it's definitely not a hookup app |work=Mashable |last=Vitto |first=Laura |date=April 23, 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908130659/https://mashable.com/2018/04/23/bumble-dating-user-survey-2018/ |url-status=live }}
In October 2016, the app launched new photo moderation rules that banned mirror selfies, obscured faces, and photos of users in underwear among others.{{cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/08/bumble-has-officially-banned-mirror-selfies-and-underwear-photos-6179031/ |title=Bumble Has Officially Banned Mirror Selfies and Underwear Photos |work=Metro |first=Ellen |last=Scott |date=October 8, 2016 |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=December 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221090002/http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/08/bumble-has-officially-banned-mirror-selfies-and-underwear-photos-6179031/ |url-status=live }} According to The New York Times, as of March 2017, Bumble had more than 800 million matches and 10 billion swipes per month and was the second most popular Lifestyle app in the iOS App Store.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/18/fashion/bumble-feminist-dating-app-whitney-wolfe.html?_r=1 |title=With Her Dating App, Women Are in Control |website=The New York Times |author=Jessica Bennett |date=March 18, 2017 |access-date=2017-04-23 |archive-date=September 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920143038/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/18/fashion/bumble-feminist-dating-app-whitney-wolfe.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Bumble reported a 10.9% increase in monthly active users in the final quarter of 2020.{{Cite news|last=Wu|first=Yan|date=February 13, 2021|title=Tinder, Bumble and Hinge Show Surge in Americans Looking for Love Online|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/tinder-bumble-and-hinge-show-surge-in-americans-looking-for-love-online-11613246400|access-date=2021-03-06|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=May 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010809/https://www.wsj.com/articles/tinder-bumble-and-hinge-show-surge-in-americans-looking-for-love-online-11613246400|url-status=live}}
As part of their IPO filing, Bumble announced in January 2021 that they had 2.4 million paying users.{{Cite web|last=Akhtar|first=Allana|title=Bumble just publicly filed for an IPO, revealing 42 million monthly users|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/bumble-files-to-go-public-ipo-2021-1|access-date=2021-03-06|website=Business Insider|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115165352/https://www.businessinsider.com/bumble-files-to-go-public-ipo-2021-1|url-status=live}}
In August 2024, The Economist reported that 61% of Bumble users were men.{{Cite news |title=Why people have fallen out of love with dating apps |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/08/why-people-have-fallen-out-of-love-with-dating-apps |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240812150022/https://www.economist.com/business/2024/08/08/why-people-have-fallen-out-of-love-with-dating-apps |archive-date=August 12, 2024 |access-date=2024-08-14 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}
Legislation
=Cyberflashing=
Bumble was the first dating app to explicitly moderate for unsolicited nude images, known as cyberflashing. In 2019, the app launched Private Detector, a feature that uses artificial intelligence to automatically detect and blur nude images. In October 2022, Bumble released an open-source version of Private Detector model.
In 2019, Bumble helped pass House Bill 2789 in Texas, a law that makes electronic transmission of sexually explicit material a punishable offense.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/bumble-texas-cyber-flashing-law-nude-pics/|title= Bumble Teams Up With Texas To Take New 'Cyber Flashing' Law National
|website=CBS|date=August 30, 2019|access-date=October 18, 2024}} Following this, in April 2022, Virginia passed Senate Bill 493, which prescribes civil penalties for an adult who knowingly sends another adult sexually explicit images without their consent.{{cite web|url=https://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/swipe-right-for-bumble-a-corporation-combatting-cyberflashing/|title="Swipe Right" for Bumble: A Corporation Combatting Cyberflashing|website=End Sexual Exploitation|date=June 15, 2022|author=Lily Moric|access-date=December 14, 2024}}
Bumble launched the #CyberFlashingIsFlashing ad campaign in the UK to support the Online Safety Act. The U.K. government passed the bill in March 2022.{{cite web|url=https://mashable.com/article/bumble-cyberflashing-uk-legislation?test_uuid=01iI2GpryXngy77uIpA3Y4B&test_variant=a|title=Bumble says UK cyberflashing bill isn't enough|website=Mashable|date=April 18, 2023|author=Anna Iovine |access-date=October 18, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/12/08/bumbles-cyberflashing-campaign-helped-ensure-it-was-included-the-online-safety-bill|title=Bumble's cyberflashing campaign helped ensure it was included in the Online Safety Bill|website=The Drum|date=December 8, 2022|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
In 2024, Bumble backed the CONSENT Act, a federal bill which "aims to provide protection for recipients of sexually explicit images, including images manipulated by artificial intelligence or machine learning."{{cite web|url=https://www.statesman.com/story/business/technology/2024/04/10/bumble-austin-tx-cyberflashing-federal-bill-hr-7736-dating-app-backing/73091896007/|title=Austin-based Bumble pushes for federal bill enacting penalties for 'cyberflashing'|website=Austin American Statesman|date=April 11, 2024|author=Kara Carlson|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
=Reproductive rights=
Bumble led an amicus brief in both Zurawski v. State of Texas (2023) and Moyle v. United States (2024), arguing in favor of reproductive rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/bumble-abortion-lawsuit-texas/|title=Why Bumble Is Joining a Lawsuit That Challenges Texas Abortion Laws|website=Texas Monthly|date=November 22, 2023|author=Peter Holley|access-date=December 15, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/23/23-726/306033/20240327155434314_23-726%20and%2023-727%20Amicus%20Brief.pdf|title=BRIEF OF THE U.S. WOMEN'S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND OTHER BUSINESSES AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING RES|website=Supreme Court.gov|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
Reception
= Feminist label =
Bumble has been described as a "feminist Tinder".{{cite web |last=Anwar |first=Mehak |date=March 26, 2015 |title='Bumble' Dating App Is Essentially Feminist Tinder, And Here's Why You Should Download It |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/72235-bumble-dating-app-is-essentially-feminist-tinder-and-heres-why-you-should-download-it |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010737/https://www.bustle.com/articles/72235-bumble-dating-app-is-essentially-feminist-tinder-and-heres-why-you-should-download-it |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=February 22, 2016 |work=Bustle}}{{Cite magazine |last=Lott-Lavigna |first=Ruby |date=September 11, 2015 |title=Bumble is Tinder's new feminist competitor. Does it work? |url=https://www.wired.com/story/bumble-feminist-dating-app/ |access-date=2024-08-15 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}{{Cite web |last=Singh-Kurtz |first=Sangeeta |date=February 1, 2023 |title=What "feminist Tinder" promised |url=https://www.theverge.com/23581048/bumble-dating-app-land-of-the-giants-whitney-wolfe-herd |access-date=2024-08-15 |website=The Verge |language=en}} Its founder has confirmed this identity, calling the app "100 percent feminist," although she has attempted to distance the app from Tinder in interviews.{{cite magazine |title=Meet the Tinder Co-Founder Trying to Change Online Dating Forever |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/bumble-app-whitney-wolfe |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=August 7, 2015 |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106052939/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/bumble-app-whitney-wolfe |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |title=Whitney Wolfe Wants to Beat Tinder at Its Own Game |url=https://time.com/3851583/bumble-whitney-wolfe/ |magazine=Time |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=November 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126041209/https://time.com/3851583/bumble-whitney-wolfe/ |url-status=live }} Wolfe Herd shared in an interview with Vanity Fair the concept behind the app: "If you look at where we are in the current heteronormative rules surrounding dating, the unwritten rule puts the woman a peg under the man—the man feels the pressure to go first in a conversation, and the woman feels pressure to sit on her hands... If we can take some of the pressure off the man and put some of that encouragement in the woman's lap, I think we are taking a step in the right direction, especially in terms of really being true to feminism. I think we are the first feminist or first attempt at a feminist dating app."
In June 2016, Bumble posted an open letter to its blog and blocked a user for sexist behavior after he had an outburst at a female user who asked him what he did for a living.{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dating-app-defends-woman-who-dared-ask-man-about-his-career_us_5756db9de4b07823f95145b1 |title=Dating App Defends Woman Who Dared Ask Man About His Career |work=The Huffington Post |first=Jenavieve |last=Hatch |date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517010809/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dating-app-defends-woman-who-dared-ask-man-about-his-career_n_5756db9de4b07823f95145b1 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/277320 |title=Why Bumble's Anti-Bullying Open Letter to a Male User is Totally on Brand |work=Entrepreneur |first=Lydia |last=Belanger |date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=January 1, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103002441/https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/277320 |url-status=live }}
In August 2017, the neo-Nazi website The Daily Stormer encouraged its readers to harass Bumble's staff to protest the company's support of women's empowerment.{{Cite news |last=Cohn |first=Alicia |date=August 17, 2017 |title=Bumble dating app targeted by white supremacists |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/347040-bumble-dating-app-targeted-by-white-supremacists/ |access-date=August 11, 2024 |work=The Hill |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811133513/https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/347040-bumble-dating-app-targeted-by-white-supremacists/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Cauterucci |first=Christina |date=August 24, 2017 |title=The Racists of OkCupid Don't Usually Carry Tiki Torches |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/08/how-will-banning-vocal-white-supremacists-really-make-dating-sites-safer.html |access-date=2024-08-11 |work=Slate |language=en-US |issn=1091-2339 |archive-date=August 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811133512/https://slate.com/human-interest/2017/08/how-will-banning-vocal-white-supremacists-really-make-dating-sites-safer.html |url-status=live }}
In August 2018, Bumble launched the Bumble Fund to support women-led startups.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2018/08/15/bumble-launches-bumble-fund/|title=Dating App Bumble Launches A Fund To Invest In Female-Founded Startups|website=Forbes|date=August 15, 2018|author=Alex Konrad|access-date=October 18, 2024}} Following the testimony of Christine Blasey Ford against Brett Kavanaugh, Bumble ran the “Believe Women” ad campaign and donated to RAINN.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2018/09/30/bumbles-whitney-wolfe-herd-speaks-out-on-believe-women-ad/#:~:text=The%20ad%E2%80%94and%20corresponding%20%2425%2C000,stance%20on%20a%20controversial%20issue.|title=Bumble's Whitney Wolfe Herd Speaks Out On 'Believe Women' Ad|website=Forbes|date=October 24, 2018|author=Samantha Sharf|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
Bumble launched a three-year partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.builtinaustin.com/articles/bumble-partners-national-domestic-violence-hotline|title=Bumble Launches 3-Year, 6-Figure Initiative Targeting Domestic Violence|website=Built in Austin|date=October 1, 2020|author=Nona Tepper|access-date=October 18, 2024}}
In 2021, Bumble set up a relief fund for those affected by the Texas Heartbeat Act.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/09/03/1033980404/texas-abortion-ban-bumble-match-funds#:~:text=%22Bumble%20has%20created%20a%20relief,law%20took%20effect%20this%20week.|title=Bumble And Match Leaders Set Up Funds For People Affected By The Texas Abortion Ban|website=NPR|date=September 3, 2021|author=Bill Chappell|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Bumble made additional donations to the ACLU of Texas and Planned Parenthood.{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/2022/06/24/abortion-ruling-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-bumble-ceo-whitney-wolfe-herd/|title=Whitney Wolfe Herd founded the Bumble dating app so women can live ‘healthier and more equitable lives.’ She says the Supreme Court just undermined that goal dramatically|website=Fortune|date=June 24, 2022|author=Will Daniel|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
In February 2023, writer Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz wrote that "it often seems like that feminist twist is more marketing fodder than meaningful change to how our apps run our love lives."
= Lawsuits =
In March 2018, Match Group sued Bumble arguing that it was guilty of patent infringement and of stealing trade secrets from Tinder.{{Cite web|last=O'Brien|first=Sara Ashley|date=March 17, 2018|title=Tinder sues dating app Bumble|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/17/technology/tinder-bumble-lawsuit/index.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214200619/https://money.cnn.com/2018/03/17/technology/tinder-bumble-lawsuit/index.html|archive-date=2021-02-14|access-date=2021-03-25|website=CNNMoney}} In June 2020, an undisclosed settlement was reached between Match Group and Bumble to settle all litigations.{{Cite web|title=Tinder, Bumble Settle Dating App IP War – Law360|url=https://www.law360.com/articles/1284816/tinder-bumble-settle-dating-app-ip-war|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813201058/https://www.law360.com/articles/1284816/tinder-bumble-settle-dating-app-ip-war|archive-date=2021-08-13|access-date=2021-03-25|website=www.law360.com|language=en}}
In 2020, Bumble agreed to pay $22.5 million in a settlement over plaintiffs' claims that the company's auto-renewal processes were unfair. The class action lawsuit, filed in California, said Bumble charged consumers without their consent. Bumble admitted no wrongdoing in the case.{{Cite web|url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/subscriptions/judge-oks-22-5m-bumble-auto-renewal-class-action-settlement/|title=Judge OKs $22.5M Bumble Auto-Renewal Class Action Settlement|date=July 17, 2020|website=Top Class Actions|access-date=February 11, 2021|archive-date=July 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720022824/https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/subscriptions/judge-oks-22-5m-bumble-auto-renewal-class-action-settlement/|url-status=live}}
= Celibacy adverts =
In May 2024, Bumble faced major backlash after launching a marketing campaign that entailed putting up billboards with captions such as: "You know full well a vow of celibacy is not the answer".{{Cite web |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Bumble apologises for anti-celibacy ad after backlash |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz4xx2rw0leo |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514163132/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz4xx2rw0leo |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bumble-dating-app-removes-anti-celibacy-ads/|title=Bumble dating app removes ads mocking celibacy after backlash|work=CBS News|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=May 14, 2024|archive-date=May 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514160520/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bumble-dating-app-removes-anti-celibacy-ads/|url-status=live}} Users accused the campaign of shaming women who were not sexually active.{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/bumble-apologizes-for-ads-shaming-women-into-sex/|title=Bumble apologizes for ads shaming women into sex|date=May 16, 2024|access-date=August 7, 2024|website=Ars Technica|last=Belanger|first=Ashley|archive-date=May 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526174524/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/bumble-apologizes-for-ads-shaming-women-into-sex/|url-status=live}} Bumble responded with a public apology, wherein the company said it would remove the ads and donate to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/14/style/bumble-celibacy-ad-apology.html|title=Bumble to Users: You Need Sex. Users to Bumble: Get Lost.|work=The New York Times|last=Cherelus|first=Gina|date=May 14, 2024|accessdate=May 23, 2024}}
See also
{{Portal|Feminism}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://bumble.com}}
{{Finance links
| name = Bumble Inc.
| symbol = BMBL
| reuters = BMBL.O
| bloomberg = BMBL:US
| sec_cik = 1830043
| google = BMBL
}}
{{authority control}}
{{Online social networking}}
Category:Internet properties established in 2014
Category:Mobile social software
Category:Online dating services of the United States
Category:Online dating applications
Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions
Category:Feminism in the United States
Category:2021 initial public offerings