Bumble, the app that started a movement by putting women in charge when dating, has launched a suite of new product features in the Philippines which are designed to make dating kinder and more fun for Filipino singles in 2023.
The first new Bumble feature, Speed Dating, brings retro speed dating events to the online dating experience, allowing members to go in ‘blind’ and prioritise personality over physical attraction. The new Speed Dating feature requires people to start conversations without seeing any pictures of the other person, with profile photos hidden for the first three minutes of messaging. Once the time is up, each person will be asked if they would like to continue the conversation and if both people choose to match, their chat will live in their Date Mode queue and their profile will be available to view following the event.
Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart says: “Bumble’s new Speed Dating experience in the app brings the fun back to dating in 2023! This feature creates intrigue and anticipation in a low-pressure environment, and allows the Bumble community to build connections based on personality and shared interests, which are much truer indicators of compatibility than looks. In fact, our most recent research* found that for the Bumble community in the Philippines, the majority (77%) said they are more focused on emotional maturity than physical requirements.”
Every Thursday from 7pm-8pm, the Bumble community in the Philippines will be able to lead with their ‘chat’ to find an authentic connection, providing a new and fun way to date in 2023. The experience is available in Bumble’s Date Mode and people on Bumble can RSVP directly within the app each week by clicking on the stopwatch icon at the top of the app. Speed Dating pairings are based on location, age and gender preferences.
Speed Dating is part of a bundle of new features that also includes Compliments, which give Bumble members the opportunity to be even more intentional about starting the conversation in a positive way.
Compliments is a message before match feature that allows members to stand out by sending a note before connecting. Reinforcing that kindness matters on Bumble, members who engage with Compliments have a statistically increased likelihood of matching and are more likely to have a good chat.
Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart says: “At Bumble we believe in the power of positivity and kindness, and that when a compliment is the foundation of a conversation, you are setting the stage for the connection to begin in the best possible way. Sending a compliment on Bumble can be as simple as sending a kind message when you come across someone’s profile whom you share a common interest with, such as music taste or favourite movie.”
The final feature in the newly announced product bundle is Recommend to a Friend, which allows the Bumble community to play cupid and help find their friends new connections. If you come across a profile on Bumble that’s not right for you but might be for someone you know, you can now directly share a link to their Bumble profile.
Bumble’s APAC Communications Director, Lucille McCart says: “We all know that feeling when you come across a profile that ticks all the boxes of your bestie. Now you can help your friends find dates by sharing the profile of their perfect match with them.”
