Everything you need to know about the Bumble Dating App!
Want to make new social contacts near you in the United Kingdom? Or maybe a quick date?
It seems Bumble can do both. Because Bumble is more than just a dating app: You decide for yourself what type of "connection" you are looking for.
On this page, you can find out if and how Bumble works for dating and why women always take the first step here.
1.What is Bumble? The Bumble App clearly explained
You might be thinking, "Oh man, another dating app!"
But WRONG! Dating App?
That's only half the truth...
Bumble is a location-based social search app for men and women that combines 3 types of social contacts:
Bumble DATING (Flirt)
Do you think the man has to make the first move? No way - with Bumble Date, women get to take the first step! The app mixes up traditional gender roles and lets the woman take the lead.
In the next section, we will explain why this mechanism has great advantages for everyone involved.
Bumble BFF (Friendship)
You're new in town and looking for a connection? Or would you like to expand your circle of friends? With Bumble BFF you can quickly and easily meet new people in your area.
Bumble BIZZ (Business)
Are you looking for new business contacts or potential clients? With Bumble Bizz you can expand your professional network and take advantage of new career opportunities.
The next step is to take a closer look at the Bumble Dating App.
To see if there are currently better alternatives to Bumble, check out our comparison list here:
SPICY CHATS, FAST MEETS
A site for like-minded users with similar preferences to meet for short-term fun.
EliteSingles is an UK dating site for educated professionals seeking serious relationships.
EliteSingles belongs to the leading dating portals for educated and wealthy singles with high standards. The personality test helps thereby to find the right EliteSingles member for you.
Dating App meets scientific matchmaking
eHarmony was the first serious online matchmaking company with a laser-sharp focus on creating happy heterosexual marriages.
2.How does the Bumble Dating App work?
The basic principle of Bumble is very similar to many other known dating apps, e.g. Tinder: You will be suggested members close to you, which you either can swipe to the left (uninterested) or to the right (interested).
If there is a match (i.e. if both of you find each other interesting), it is up to the woman to act within 24 hours and contact the man via chat. Otherwise, the connection will expire.
Therefore, the man has to wait and see if the woman wants to get to know him after a closer look at the profile.
Sounds strange? But it is not ...
Why does the woman has to make the first step on Bumble?
A justified question. Bumble stands for more equality. For example, when a woman writes first, it aims to ensure that men make more effort to design their profiles and better value contact.
That's the story behind it ...
Bumble founder, Whitney Wolf, used to work for Tinder, the dating app market leader. She left the company because of sexual harassment. Together with 2 other ex-colleagues, they developed an app that allows women to make the 1st contact themselves.
The best thing about it:
Women have a big advantage here in that they are not immediately flooded with hundreds of messages from interested men. In other words, many women like to use Bumble. The number of women is relatively high.
Men, on the other hand, save themselves the trouble of sending hundreds of messages to a large number of women who will potentially never respond. Instead, you know that the woman who contacts you has an honest basic interest in getting to know you.
Sounds like a fair deal, doesn't it? This mechanics can save both sides a lot of time.
But ... is that the only advantage?
All important advantages and disadvantages of the Bumble Dating App in the following overview:
The Bumble Dating App: Pro & Cons
Bumble Advantages:
- Quick registration
- Free use possible
- 3 different contact search criteria
- Women take the 1st step (= high proportion of women)
Bumble drawbacks:
- Few users in rural areas so far
- Contact only possible 24 hours after
- Men need to be patient.
3.Get dates on Bumble for free: Is that possible?
Do you think you have to spend a lot of money to use Bumble?
That's not true!
You can also use the standard version of the Bumble App completely free of charge.
In the free version, you can create your profile, upload pictures, swipe through the database of other Bumble Singles and also write in case of Match. Everything for free!
But that's only half the truth again...
Of course, all dating apps have to earn their money somehow. That's why Bumble also offers extra convenience features that cost a little money.
Below is an overview of the current Bumble prices and the paid options:
Bumble Boost
If you activate the premium option Bumble Boost, you will always see who likes you and don't have to wait for a match. You can also use the feature to extend existing contacts for another 24 hours or restore expired matches.
The cost of Bumble Boost in the United Kingdom is as follows:
- Bumble Boost for 1 week: £8,99
- Bumble Boost for 1 month: £24,99
- Bumble Boost for 3 months: £49,98 ( = £ 16,66 per month)
- Bumble Boost forever: £139.99
Prices in £ are approximate and may vary slightly.
Bumble Coins
With Bumble Coins, you use 2 more premium features of the app: With "Spotlight" (costs 2 Coins) you propel your profile upwards, so that it is seen by as many users as possible. So you can buy more visibility compared to your "competitors".
With a "SuperSwipe" (also 2 Coins) you show a potential match that you have great interest - similar to "nudge" or similar to a "Super Like" at Tinder.
The Bumble Coins are sold in packages. The cost of these are as follows:
- 5 Bumble Coins: £7.99
- 15 Bumble Coins: £20.99
- 30 Bumble Coins: £34.99
By the way: Bumble offers a special highlight with an exclusive VIP zone. But you can't just buy the so-called "Vibee status" - it has to be earned.
The Bumble Vibee Status
Are you friendly and respectful with your Bumble contacts? Are you regularly and actively using the app? Congratulations! Bumble-Vibeerewards dedicated users. As already described above, you can't buy the VIP status - good behavior is not for sale!
How active you are at Bumble is measured using an algorithm and is reviewed after a VIP request you have made. If you receive the coveted Vibee status, you can automatically contact other selected VIPs.
What does that actually mean for you?
If you really want to be serious and value friendly and respectful interaction, Bumble Vibee is a super free additional tool for users who have a similar tick!
So you belong to the "club" and can perhaps make out dates much faster with the confidence bonus.
More success with Bumble: Do I really need the Premium Membership?
So you're probably wondering if you really have to pay for Bumble to be successful?
Voilá
Here is our opinion based on our experiences on Bumble.
Of course, you get more possibilities with the premium features Bumble Boost and Bumble Coins. Surely, you will get a date or two, or a new professional contact, so that you can make it faster. But each of us has his own pace. So what you get out of the app depends entirely on you.
Specifically, you should consider the following:
Do you want to "get there" quickly or aren't you in a hurry? If you use Bumble just for fun, to have a date from time to time or to get to know new people, the free version is enough.
To significantly increase your chances, a premium membership can definitely boost your chances. Or you can just be nice and active and get free VIP status!
Our conclusion about the Bumble costs:
In our opinion, the free version of Bumble already offers enough opportunities to make contacts.
If you want to speed up the dating process, or are curious how other users will like you, additional features like Bumble Boost and Bumble Coins are helpful but not a must.
Are there better dating apps as an alternative to Bumble in the United Kingdom? Here are our top apps.
SPICY CHATS, FAST MEETS
A site for like-minded users with similar preferences to meet for short-term fun.
EliteSingles is an UK dating site for educated professionals seeking serious relationships.
EliteSingles belongs to the leading dating portals for educated and wealthy singles with high standards. The personality test helps thereby to find the right EliteSingles member for you.
Dating App meets scientific matchmaking
eHarmony was the first serious online matchmaking company with a laser-sharp focus on creating happy heterosexual marriages.
4.Are there scams on Bumble (Bumble Scam)?
Are you afraid of falling for a scam while dating online? Is Bumble even safe when it comes to fakes and scams?
Let's not fool ourselves:
There are black sheep in every online dating app (or on portals). Users are often attracted and questioned by fraudsters with so-called "fake profiles".
So you'll probably come across fakes and scams on every dating app. Even on Bumble. But with a little tact and prudence, you can easily protect yourself from it.
This is how you recognize scammers on Bumble:
The Google specialist
Download the profile picture of the user you suspect to your computer and then upload it to Google Picture Search. Are there hits that don't match the person you're looking for? Then it might be a fraud or a fake profile. Alternatively, you can simply google the name of the contact.
The Social Media Check
Search on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram etc. for the alleged Bumble Scammer. If the person is nowhere to be found (almost everyone leaves traces somewhere in social networks today!), if he has only a few friends or if the profile seems otherwise rather "inactive", beware.
The employer test
If you dare to ask your Bumble contact about his job or employer, be smart on his company website and search for the person on a possible team page. You can dare to call the company and ask its name!
Real life
Bumble scammers hardly ever get involved in real meetings. Make an appointment with your contact in a public place - and, to be on the safe side, tell a friend where you're meeting and with whom. Does the user cancel every time shortly before or does he constantly talk himself out? In this case, it could also be a scam or a fake profile!
The Bumble Verification
Check whether the profile of the apparent Bumble Scammer is verified or not. Of course, you can also verify your own account - this is how it is done on Bumble:
- Open your profile and press the verification button
- You are asked to make a selfie of yourself with a gesture given by Bumble (for example: wave, thumb up etc.).
- Copy the gesture as good as you can and send Bumble a photo of it (just follow the instructions on the screen).
- The Bumble team will then review your Selfie.
- After a few minutes, you will receive a confirmation or rejection for verification.
Conclusion: The typical Bumble fraud does not exist - the procedure of scammers is usually always the same. A tip: You should also rely on your gut feeling. If something seems odd or strange to you, always be careful!
5.Experiences with Bumble: Does anyone use this app at all?
Are you unsure whether Bumble is right for you?
Let's take a closer look!
The registration is at least already free and is super-fast and easy.
The design is cool, reminiscent of a beehive - and is probably supposed to highlight the benefits for women. Operating the Dating App is also pretty straightforward and can be done in just a few steps.
What else did we notice while testing the Bumble Dating App, you can see here:
Bumble is a top app for flexible contact seekers!
As already described, Bumble is more than just an online dating service. You can ""swipe"" to your heart's content through 3 different search functions - depending on whether you are looking for a romantic meeting, a loose acquaintance or a potential business partner.
A good choice if you are generally looking for new contacts!
Women have the upper hand - men benefit here!
The fact that on Bumble the woman takes the first step does not only have advantages for the female sex. It is also a great opportunity for the man to let himself be surprised and not be immediately intrusive.
The first message in particular is the most difficult. Many men often lack the right words to start a chat. So this hurdle is almost gone.
Basically one could say: Bumble is something for self-confident women and patient men! :)
Our Bumble experiences: Big city dwellers have a clear advantage
Users in rural areas have a harder time with Bumble and need to expand their radius slightly. In the United Kingdom, the app is used primarily in large cities. Since the Bumble app originated in the USA, you will also often see users from the USA who are traveling or expatriating to the United Kingdom.
Nevertheless, there is an upward trend. The app is also becoming increasingly popular in the United Kingdom.
But let's not deceive ourselves: There are undoubtedly apps that are much bigger than Bumble.
Bumble is not for casual chatters!
At Bumble, the principle is: Stay tuned! Since a match expires after only 24 hours, you should be quick and active in the app and not just ""check it out"" every few weeks for fun. But that also has advantages: The more committed you are to Bumble, the sooner you will be rewarded with the coveted VIP status.
Note: Being active is worth it!
You want to test a Bumble alternative? This is our current test winner in the area of Dating Apps:
5.1 Who actually uses Bumble?
You wonder which people use the app?
There are currently over 20 million users worldwide on Bumble. Most men and women on Bumble are between 18 and 35 years old and live in bigger cities. The app is particularly popular in English-speaking countries, which is why you will find here already relatively many people from the United Kingdom as well as Americans.
Nevertheless, Bumble is surely not the largest dating app available in the United Kingdom. However, if you don't want a contact to be right around the corner, Bumble is still a great alternative to other dating apps.
Bumble is recommendable for users who are not only looking a hookup, but also (possibly) something serious or other social contacts. If you also value respectful interaction and like to be active in the app, Bumble is the place for you.
Ultimately, you have to make your own experiences with Bumble. But it's definitely worth trying!
6.Is Bumble also a sex app?
You hope that everyone at Bumble is only looking for sex?
The truth is (unfortunately) somewhat different...
The fact that one mainly looks for hookups on a dating app is widespread, but Bumble is not aimed at pure sex.
On the contrary:
The fact that users have to put more effort into staying in touch and that women take the first step, rather discourages users who are only looking for a bedtime story (= too complicated!).
Also the respectful, tolerant and same-sex contact - on which Bumble attaches great importance and also rewards - is usually not for users who are only looking for sex (= too boring!).
By the way: For hookups, One Night Stands & Co. there are now special apps that specialize only in pure sex meetings. Bumble has a completely different concept and doesn't want to position itself in this area at all.
The singles on Bumble are rather looking for "honest" contacts: For solid relationships, new friendships or even business partners - as the search criteria permit and specify.
Conclusion: There will always be users everywhere who are only looking for a One Night Stand on Dating Apps. This can't be avoided and you probably won't be completely spared on Bumble. However, it is much less likely than on many other dating apps!
Better alternatives to Bumble in the United Kingdom:
SPICY CHATS, FAST MEETS
A site for like-minded users with similar preferences to meet for short-term fun.
EliteSingles is an UK dating site for educated professionals seeking serious relationships.
EliteSingles belongs to the leading dating portals for educated and wealthy singles with high standards. The personality test helps thereby to find the right EliteSingles member for you.
Dating App meets scientific matchmaking
eHarmony was the first serious online matchmaking company with a laser-sharp focus on creating happy heterosexual marriages.
7.More success = more matches and more dates with Bumble: This is how it works
You have registered on Bumble and want to get started now?
Here are the 6 ultimate tips on how to use the Bumble Dating App to find either great love, long lasting friendship or a profitable business contact:
How to pimp your Bumble profile!
Be unique: Profile data with age, size and weight are standard and nothing special. Don't just formulate a profile, rather write something creative: A clever saying, your thoughts on a certain topic, or something that describes your character. This goes down much better and makes other users curious.
You just can't think of anything with your profile description?
Bumble supports lazy writers! Answer questions in your profile that are already set, such as "if I could play in a series, I'd be ..." or "my secret talent is ...". The alternative is still better than no text at all.
To the pictures: Make sure your pictures are clearly recognizable and that they show you from as many different angles as possible. For example, a casual and sporty holiday, another maybe in a business look (= multi-faceted!). Don't use exaggerated filters or image editing programs - sunglasses and caps are also an absolute no go on photos!
That way you get more Bumble Matches!
Stay tuned, stay tuned, stay tuned: Try to be active at least every day, at least for a few minutes, and swipe through different contacts. Use your idle times, like waiting for the bus or before an appointment, if you're on it sooner.
A tip: Don't be too choosy and also give singles the chance, perhaps they don't appeal to you immediately, but convince yourself of their character (or at least what you recognize from it).
So you score with the 1st message on Bumble
It's worth getting creative here. Standard questions like "where do you come from" or "how are you" are boring and impersonal. But worst of all are questions whose answers you can already read from the profile of the contact - fat-head alarm!
This is the key to success ...
The profile of your counterpart is actually very helpful for the introduction. For example, is there a picture that shows the user on vacation or in a strange city? Take up the topic and ask how he liked it. Maybe you've been there before and tell the contact about your impressions?
Even a shared hobby that can be read from your profile always earns good points. Something like that:
"As I see it, you play tennis - on which courts do you usually play tennis?
This is how you keep a conversation / flirt chat going!
The Bumble contact answered? Don't let up now ...
Be interested in your counterpart! Ask the best open questions: Questions which your match cannot answer with "yes" or "no", but as detailed as possible. For example, answer the last chat - are there any questions left? Did your flirting partner mention anything you could pick up again?
Then do it!
Not unimportant either: Write something about yourself. Only asking questions is annoying in the end. Make sure that you mention positive things about yourself. For example, what you have experienced the week or why your day was special today. In return, ask your flirt partner the same thing, or what he/she thinks of it.
Whether with the 1st message or in the further Chat process: Always stay authentic and don't pretend to be someone you're not. Eventually, this will always be revealed. Honesty is the key.
This is how you get to the 1st Bumble Date!
The chemistry is right, you like your Bumble contact and want to get to know him/her "in real life "?
Stay relaxed and try not to be too tense when asking the question about the 1st meeting. Nobody knows exactly when the perfect time is? The best option is still the direct, but polite way.
Top tip: Maybe you don't have to ask for a "date". The term always sounds like a forced date and creates too much pressure. Formulations such as "meeting" or "getting to know" are more charming.
When asked about the 1st date, perhaps focus more on the venture or the location. Be courageous and suggest a concrete meeting place, for example the pretty café at the corner where you think there is the best chocolate cake. Would he/she like to find out if you are right in this respect?
This is how you rock your 1st Bumble-Date!
First of all, stay cool. Easier said than done, right?
Again, as already mentioned, stay authentic and sincere! Nothing is more daunting than a date partner who pretends things or constantly brags to be perfect.
Have confidence in yourself: A healthy self-confidence is attractive and interesting for your counterpart. But still, stay mysterious and don't reveal everything about yourself - keep a few trump cards up your sleeve!
That's already half the battle of a successful date...
Avoid negative topics on the 1st Bumble Date: Don't show self-pity and don't tell how long you've felt lonely and unhappy. Talking about politics, money, sex or your ex-partner is also tricky. And for all women: Please do not mention the (possible) desire to have children!
Otherwise, anything you feel comfortable with is permitted. Listen attentively to your counterpart and encourage him to talk about himself. Take over the way he gives himself and communicate at eye level. If this is right for you in the end, your feeling will soon tell you.
8.Tinder vs. Bumble - which app is better?
You are unsure which app is right for you? At first glance, Bumble is very similar to the dating app market leader Tinder - especially when it comes to ease of use (Swipe principle).
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both apps in direct comparison:
Tinder | Bumble |
Advantages:
|
Advantages:
|
Disadvantages:
|
Disadvantages:
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Conclusion: Bumble has cleverly extended the Tinder concept with many additional tools, some of which are free of charge. Unfortunately, the Bumble Dating App has much fewer members than Tinder. This means that it may take a little longer until a match or date occurs. But if you like to be active and interested in honest and long-term contacts, Bumble is the better choice for you.
The most important alternatives to Bumble and Tinder in the United Kingdom:
SPICY CHATS, FAST MEETS
A site for like-minded users with similar preferences to meet for short-term fun.
EliteSingles is an UK dating site for educated professionals seeking serious relationships.
EliteSingles belongs to the leading dating portals for educated and wealthy singles with high standards. The personality test helps thereby to find the right EliteSingles member for you.
Dating App meets scientific matchmaking
eHarmony was the first serious online matchmaking company with a laser-sharp focus on creating happy heterosexual marriages.
Badoo has many active users around the world. Keep your eyes open while flirting: you will most likely find suitable members nearby
Zoosk is an intelligent app that excites countless singles for something new every day. It provides a very active single community with helpful communication functions.