Bumble has introduced changes to its messaging experience that allow either person in a match to send the first message, moving away from its earlier model where women were required to initiate conversations.
Under the new system, recipients will have 72 hours to respond, up from the previous 24-hour window. Bumble says the longer timeframe is intended to give users more flexibility, particularly as busy schedules can result in potential connections expiring before a conversation begins.
The new format still retains a structured approach to initiating conversations. Only one initial message can be sent, and the chat opens only after the recipient responds. Users sending low-effort openers, such as a single word, will also be prompted to make their message more thoughtful before sending it.
According to Bumble, testing of the new experience resulted in increased chat initiation, with opening messages becoming more evenly distributed between men and women. The company also reported that women recorded an increase in its “mutual chat rate,” where both people respond and the conversation opens, of more than twice the rate seen among men.
Bumble said more than half of members surveyed during testing felt that the longer response window improved their experience, while 92% of women surveyed said they continued to feel in control of their dating experience.
The company’s latest research also found that 66% of women surveyed on Bumble prefer men to send the first message, while 68% of Gen Z and Millennials in India said having control over how and when conversations begin makes them feel more confident about dating.
The update comes alongside Bumble’s recent product changes, including refreshed Profile Prompts and AI-powered profile feedback, as the company looks to improve the experience from creating a profile through to making real-world connections.