Bumble divides users by ditching its signature 'women-first' chat rule
The dating app's boss says the move is in response to a successful trial and a change in what users want.
Dating app Bumble has altered its user experience by removing its signature feature that required women to initiate conversations with matches. This change follows a trial that showed increased engagement, along with user surveys indicating that 66% of women prefer men to make the first move. The shift has sparked debate among users, with some praising the update for offering more flexibility and real connections, while others argue it now resembles any other dating app.
Previously, same-sex relationships were exempt from this rule. Bumble will also now grant users three days to begin messaging after forming a match, up from 24 hours. Founder Whitney Wolfe Herd stated that while the women-first policy was initially empowering, it became redundant as the dating landscape evolved and failed to adapt.
This change is part of a larger trend of stagnation in the UK dating market, with Bumble's British user base decreasing from nearly 1.5 million in 2023 to 1.1 million in 2025. Despite the controversy, some users and matchmakers support the change, citing frustration with initiating conversations and receiving no responses.
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