Is Bumble for Serious Dating or Just Hookups?

Almost every dating app has a specific audience or purpose—from hookup apps like Grindr and Scruff that primarily attract gay men to sites like Christian Mingle or eHarmony, which cater to more traditional couples and the idea of long-term commitments. Even one of the newest dating apps, Hinge, has created a tagline to ensure everyone knows its M.O.:

“Hinge – The dating app designed to be deleted.”

What they mean is that their goal is to get you matched with the perfect partner so you don’t need the dating app anymore. So, what about Bumble? Well, they don’t have a “tagline,” per se, that helps you figure it out, but there are a few things you should know. For starters, from what we can tell, the majority of users come to Bumble looking for serious dating, or at least something more than a casual hookup. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t find the occasional hookup here, too.

What is Bumble?

The idea behind Bumble was to provide a mobile dating app where females could message first—therefore, the men have to wait to be contacted and can’t become “bothersome,” and so forth. This idea is not new—there are several dating sites out there today that require women to initiate contact. The idea is that this provides more safety for the females and still allows the males to find potential matches.

Bumble is a great choice for serious relationships, but you’ve got to be ready to deliver a great profile if you’re a guy that is hoping to get noticed. This app gives the females the power, but it has connected thousands of great matches and seen several couples end up married and staying together long-term.

This dating app is also free to download and use, which makes it ideal for those who aren’t really interested in paying for a dating site. There are also no games, gimmicks, or ads to hang you up or get you caught up in the app like some bigger dating apps out there. It’s straightforward. You just write a few sentences, add a picture, and wait for a match to start chatting.

Who is Bumble’s Target Audience?

The majority of the users on Bumble are at least looking for casual dates, not hookups, and some people are hoping to find long-term matches and maybe even “the one.” This site connects users every single day, and as many as 25% of the users on Bumble say they’ve gone on a first date with a match from the app within the past 30 days. Not only that, but more than 85% of all Bumble users say that they’re looking for something long-term, including marriage.

Bumble was created to enhance and improve online dating in its own right. At the time it was created, the app didn’t really have an “intention,” as much as it had the desire to offer a new way for people to connect. Of course, they hoped to become notable for connecting people who are meant to be together and offer everyone their chance to find that elusive “one” person they’ve been looking for.

It's More About the Users

When it comes to whether Bumble is used for hookups or dating, the best answer is that this is up to each user. Most people come to the app looking for a relationship or something more serious, but that’s not to say that there aren’t those seeking something more casual or just looking for an FWB situation, for one example.

Plus, you’re only going to see profiles of those who have matched with you in the first place, and while it can be anxiety-inducing to wait for a response, you don’t have to wait, necessarily. Females can always choose to start the conversation. Also, you can contact anyone who has swiped on your profile whether they’ve started a conversation or not. There are also video options built into the chat window to make it easy to connect visually.

Bumble also shows you hundreds, if not thousands, of potential candidates in your area. They also match you with people who are more likely to be compatible, so you don’t have to worry about being matched with someone too far away or who just isn’t your type.

How to Use Bumble for Quality Matches

So, if you want to use Bumble to match with people for long-term connections, you’re with the majority. Simply make sure that you choose a flattering profile photo and add additional photos that are more than selfies—let them show off your individuality. You’re selling yourself, essentially, and that includes helping people understand who you are and what you’re about.

Another good idea is to keep your bio fun and simple. More details mean more reading and that can deter people from even matching with you. Once you start talking, you can tell them alllllll about yourself, don’t worry about that. Here, you’re just trying to get them interested and make sure that you’re also interested in them.

Look for people who are local and have mutual interests for the best results of successful matches. And, as shallow as it sounds, make sure that you look carefully at their profile photos and like what you see. Otherwise, you’re probably not going to like them in person, either. If you keep these things in mind, it should be easier to match with the right people even if you’re just getting started on Bumble.

Patience is a virtue when it comes to online dating. As long as you’ve taken the time to craft an honest, interesting profile that will get people’s attention, you might just have to wait for the right matches to come along. Don’t be discouraged, and if things don’t start happening after a short time, consider changing your profile, swapping photos, or studying up on how to create a dynamic profile that gets results. Just because it’s more convenient to meet people online doesn’t mean that it’s any quicker than traditional dating.