How to Get a Date on Bumble

Bumble makes it easy to meet new people, but what about taking a conversation from a Bumble chat to a first date? Here are some simple steps you can take to help you transition online connections into IRL meetups. Read on for our best advice on how to get a date on Bumble.

Make the most of your profile

Every Bumble date starts with a match. One of the best ways to improve your chances of making a great match is by updating your Bumble profile so it’s the best possible reflection of you. Since pictures are the quickest way to show potential matches what you’re about, double check that you’re using all six of the photo slots the app allows. There shouldn’t be any confusion about who your profile belongs to, so keep the camera lens focused on you, and select images that showcase your most authentic self. (Click here for more Bumble profile photo tips!) You’ll also want to use Bumble’s 10 Basic Info Badges, sharing details like your dating intentions, location, and religion. And add up to five Interest Badges to give potential matches even more insight into your lifestyle, like the fact that you’re a vegetarian or spend your Saturday nights bar-hopping. Using these Badges can make it easier for like-minded people to find you—and can also help you match with people who share your interests. 

Be upfront about what you’re looking for

Whatever your dating intentions, Bumble Profile Prompts give potential matches more insight into you—and what you do in your free time. For example, answer the prompt, “I’m hoping you…” with “will meet me for happy hour this Friday.” Or, “I’m a real nerd about…” with something like, “my morning coffee. Will you be my plus-one next weekend on a caffeinated tour of downtown?” Your Bumble bio is another place on your profile to highlight your desire to go on actual dates, rather than lingering in each other’s inbox. Let your matches know you’re “looking for someone to join me at a jazz concert this Friday :).” You can always change your bio after the date has passed. And by being proactive in this way, you’re giving matches an easy way to break the ice—and even ask you out.  

Use Bumble’s premium features to get their attention

If you have to wait for your match to make the first move, using the Extend feature is a good way to let them know that you’re really interested in getting to know them. It gives matches an additional 24 hours to reach out. SuperSwipe is another feature that comes in handy when you really like the look of a person’s profile and want to stand out. It will notify that person that you used a SuperSwipe on their profile, making it clear you’d like to match, and ensure your profile shows up in their queue. Sometimes all it takes is that extra nudge to get the conversation going and make plans to meet up for a first date.

Keep the conversation flowing

Once you’ve matched with someone, it’s time to strike up a conversation. The Bumble app was designed to be a safe space to explore how your personalities and interests align before committing to an in-person date. It’s best to give your matches something they can respond to, whether or not you’re able to make the first move. It’ll help keep the banter from dying out. Start with a question about something on their profile to let them know they stood out to you, while also helping you learn more about them. If you can’t think of any, we have some ideas for questions to ask your Bumble match here. If they ask you a question first, do the same: respond, then ask another open-ended question. For example, if their profile says they like whiskey, try “What’s your favorite whiskey cocktail?” Or if they included a photograph with a dog, write “What’s your dog’s name?” Later, you can use their answers as a natural segue to make plans.

Then, finally, ask them out

Don’t overthink it. You both swiped right! You’ve exchanged messages and (hopefully) found some commonalities. If you’ve gotten this far and are still interested in getting to know your match better, it’s time to make the leap to hanging out IRL. Having an activity in mind will help you avoid any vagueness or back-and-forth, solidifying details. If you’re stuck on what to suggest for your date, chances are there’s something on their profile that’ll give you an idea for an activity you can do together. Then make the ask: “Since you mentioned you love an old fashioned, do you want to try out this new cocktail bar with me this week?” 

Now that you’re clear on what you want—to go on more dates!—you have all the tools you need to make the most of your time on Bumble and approach your conversations with intention and a plan. When the time comes, don’t forget to check out our advice on how to make your first date a success.