Bumble has enraged its users after announcing a dramatic U–turn on its women–first rule.
The app shot to fame more than a decade ago thanks to its new approach to dating, which meant that only women could message men first.
However, in what it’s describing as a ‘global evolution’, Bumble has announced that it now allows men to make the first move.
‘We built Bumble around the belief that when you make dating better for women, you make it better for everyone and that remains true today,’ said Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder and CEO of Bumble.
‘While women making the first move was a radical idea, being women–first was never about prescribing just one way to connect.
‘It was about designing an experience with women’s needs in mind to create better outcomes for everyone.’
The change has left many users furious, with one claiming it ‘defeats the entire point of the app.’
Another vented: ‘So the entire premise of the dating app has now been rendered moot… Making it Tinder 2.0.’
Bumble has announced that it now allows men to make the first move
Bumble was founded by Whitney Wolfe Herd in 2014, and quickly shot to fame thanks to its women–first messaging rule
Bumble was founded by Ms Wolfe Herd in 2014, and quickly shot to fame thanks to its women–first messaging rule.
At the time, Bumble claimed its app ‘promotes a safe and respectful community’ where ‘you’ll never get unwanted messages’.
However, following a recent poll of its users, Bumble has decided to ditch the women–first rule.
The poll found that 66 per cent of women prefer men to send the first message, with many claiming this makes dating feel less pressured.
Now, anyone in a match – male or female – can send the first message, while recipients will also have 72 hours to respond, up from 24 hours.
‘Today, our community is asking for more flexibility, less pressure, and more opportunities to create real, meaningful connections and that is what this new experience provides,’ Ms Wolfe Herd explained.
‘This evolution isn’t a departure from our founding vision, but the realisation of it.’
According to Bumble, initial tests with this new setup have been promising.
Now, anyone in a match – male or female – can send the first message, while recipients will also have 72 hours to respond, up from 24 hours
However, based on the reaction across social media, it seems not everyone is on board.
Many disgruntled users have compared Bumble to Tinder – the popular dating app where Ms Wolfe Herd previously worked.
Taking to X, one user said: ‘So Bumble just became regular Tinder with a yellow background? Defeats the entire point of the app.’
Another added: ‘This is so funny because this app was born to give women “power” because of Tinder. Now it has become Tinder.’
And one wrote: ‘They just ruined the only thing that made them different.’
However, other users have welcomed the change.
One said: ‘If men making the first move increases match response rates by even 15%, it’s a massive win for everyone on the app.’
