Dating app 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.
Ditching a key feature of its women-first messaging policy, dating app Bumble has sparked debate among its users. Established in 2014 with the aim of distinguishing itself from competitors like Tinder, Bumble allowed women to make the first move in initiating conversations. However, following a trial that showed increased engagement and a user survey indicating that 66% of women prefer men to send the first message, the company has decided to abandon this signature rule.
The change has ignited a divide among users, with some arguing that it will boost Bumble's user base, while others believe it will make the app comparable to other dating platforms. Initially introduced to empower women, the women-first rule has now been replaced with a three-day time limit for initiating conversations after matching, reflecting a shift towards more flexibility and less pressure.
Bumble's founder, Whitney Wolfe Herd, stated that the new experience provides users with more opportunities to form meaningful connections, but reactions across online forums have been mixed. The move comes amid broader stagnation in the UK online dating market, with Bumble's British user base declining from nearly 1.5 million monthly users in 2023 to 1.1 million in 2025.
Despite the controversy, some professionals and users support the change, noting that constant swiping may not lead to real-world dates, contributing to a growing sentiment of dating fatigue.
Written by urgent.news from BBC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
