Bumble introduces social media-style usernames for user search
Bumble has launched a new feature called Handles, allowing users to find each other via unique usernames, similar to social media platforms.
Bumble is introducing a new feature called Handles, which borrows a page from the social media playbook by allowing users to create unique, searchable user IDs. This feature aims to give users more control over discovery within the dating app landscape, moving beyond algorithmic suggestions.
The Handles feature enables prospective matches to find each other directly within the app, provided both users have opted in. Bumble suggests potential uses such as sharing a handle instead of a phone number when meeting someone in person, or facilitating introductions between friends. The feature is currently available to iOS users in the United States.
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd stated that users' private and professional networks are not always where they want their dating life to begin. Handles offer a way to share a dating profile more broadly and intentionally. The feature still requires mutual interest before messaging can occur, and users can disable their handles at any time to become undiscoverable.
This move by Bumble aligns with a broader trend of dating apps incorporating more social networking elements. Competitors like Tinder have introduced event-based features, and some newer apps mimic the visual style of platforms like Instagram. These innovations come as the dating app industry faces scrutiny, with many users reporting a transactional feel to the services.