Bumble introduces a feature allowing men to initiate conversations.

Bumble originally made waves in 2014 by empowering women to take the lead in messaging during heterosexual matches, but the app is now evolving. Today, Bumble has unveiled a significant update to its messaging system: anyone can initiate the first message, and the time limit to respond has been extended from 24 hours to 72 hours.

“While the idea of women making the first move was groundbreaking, being women-first was never about limiting connections to just one approach. It was about crafting an experience that prioritizes women’s needs to foster better outcomes for everyone,” said Bumble’s founder and CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd. “Our community is now seeking more flexibility, reduced pressure, and greater chances to forge genuine connections, and this new experience delivers just that. This evolution aligns with our original vision rather than straying from it.”

This shift comes in response to user feedback, with surveys indicating that 66 percent of women prefer men to send the first message. Bumble’s testing also showed a more balanced distribution of opening messages between genders and an increase in chat initiation. The changes aim to reflect the realities of modern dating, where both men and women lead busy lives, and opportunities to connect can be missed due to timing rather than a lack of interest.

The app is now prioritizing the quality of initial messages over who can send them. “If a member sends a low-effort message, like a one-word opener, they will be prompted to craft a more thoughtful response before sending,” Bumble stated. Two years ago, Bumble introduced an “Opening Moves” feature that allowed men to make the first move by responding to prewritten prompts, so this isn’t entirely new for the platform. Wolfe Herd first hinted at this overhaul during Bumble’s recent financial earnings report, which noted a decline in both revenue and paying users.

This marks a significant shift for Bumble’s women-first branding, which has been central to its identity and often likened to the “feminist Tinder” of dating apps. A key aspect of its initial appeal was allowing women to steer clear of unwanted advances, with a previous statement on its website declaring: “To challenge outdated heterosexual norms, women make the first move on Bumble.”