Bumble’s still the app where women lead the way in heterosexual matches—but the mechanics have evolved. You set your preferences (age, distance, etc.), and Bumble mostly sticks to them, with occasional exceptions designed to widen your pool a touch. Below, you’ll find a clear look at how Bumble handles age ranges in 2025 and what’s changed since previous versions.
TL;DR
- Bumble may show you to people just outside your age range if you match their filters.
- Your feed is based on location and preferences, with relaxed filters to expand results.
- Women still make the first move in straight matches, now with easier “Opening Moves.”
- Verified and active profiles get higher visibility.
- Swipe left or block to remove unwanted profiles permanently.
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When you set your age range on Bumble, you’ll usually only see people within that window. However, if you fit someone else’s filters—even if they’re outside yours—they can still see you. Bumble also now uses “relaxed filters,” meaning the app may occasionally show users who fall slightly outside your chosen limits to improve match potential. This system keeps your feed fresh without flooding you with irrelevant profiles.
For example, if you’re 30 and your range is 25–40, someone aged 42 with a 30–55 preference could still see your profile. You typically won’t see them unless Bumble’s relaxed filters bring them into your deck or they’ve already liked you.
Can You Specify An Age Range On Bumble?
Yes. You can set and update your preferred age range anytime in Settings. Free users can filter by age, distance, profile verification, interests, and languages. Premium members get Advanced Filters (like lifestyle details, star signs, or fitness habits) and can use as many as they want. If someone appears outside your range, simply swipe left or block if you’d prefer not to see them again.
How Does Bumble Decide Who To Show You?
Bumble is primarily location-based. It starts by finding nearby users who fit your age and distance filters. The app then considers your activity, popularity, and filter settings to mix things up. Bumble keeps its exact algorithm private, but more active and verified users tend to show up more often.
In 2025, Bumble introduced Opening Moves—a feature letting women in straight matches pre-set a question or photo as their opener. Men reply to that prompt, making the first interaction easier and more natural. In same-gender or nonbinary connections, either person can make the first move or set an Opening Move.
Who Can See My Bumble Profile?
Anyone whose filters you fit can see your profile, even if they fall outside your own range. You might also appear in relaxed-filter searches when Bumble slightly broadens match criteria. If you’re not interested, swipe left or block them to disappear from each other’s feeds entirely. The Block & Report feature ensures neither user sees the other again, keeping your experience safe and clean.
FAQ
Why am I seeing people outside my age or distance filters?
Bumble sometimes relaxes your filters slightly to expand your match pool. This helps you meet more compatible people without straying far from your preferences.
What filters are free vs. Premium now?
All users can filter by age, distance, verification, interests, and languages. Premium unlocks unlimited Advanced Filters for lifestyle and relationship details.
Can I filter only for verified profiles?
Yes. You can apply the “Verified Profile” filter to see only profiles that have completed Bumble’s photo verification process.
Do women still have to message first?
Yes, in heterosexual matches women still start the conversation—but the Opening Moves feature lets them set prompts to make starting easier.
If I block someone, can they still see me?
No. Blocking or using “Block & Report” ensures neither of you can view or interact with each other again.
How can I refresh my Bumble feed?
Adjust your distance or age filters, remove unnecessary Advanced Filters, and update your profile photos. These tweaks increase your visibility and help you see new matches.
