If you’re new to dating apps or have been off the scene for a while, you might be asking yourself about the different apps and the purposes they serve. For example, you’re probably wondering ‘Is Bumble just a hookup app?’
As with most modern dating apps, it’s more complicated than just a yes or no answer. Us millennials are pretty complex, you know, and Gen Z even more so!
Anyway, the feminist-founded company would never brand itself as a hookup dating site provider.
Bumble is for making connections – some of them might last a longer time than others, but they all matter!
On top of that, it’s generally pretty accepted that all free dating apps (or dating apps with good free options) tend to be more on the casual side while sites you have to pay for are more specifically serious.
What I’m saying is, you can definitely find hookups on Bumble if that’s what you’re after but it’s certainly not designed just for that purpose. And if what you’re looking for is just hookups? Then be honest about it for goodness sake.
Of course, sometimes that’s just what happens – you go on a date, they’re great, you laugh, you drink, you hookup… and then you don’t do it again.
But looking for purely hookups without advertising that’s what you’re doing is… well… kinda problematic. Especially on Bumble for goodness sake, it’s designed with the safety, comfort and autonomy of women in mind!
So, get your feminist ally hat on and practice that emotional honesty! Actually, that doesn’t just apply to Bumble. That’s a rule for life.
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Is Bumble Just For Dating?
Have you heard rumbles of Bumble being a place to build all sorts of relationships, not just find dates?
Well, presumably you have because you’re interested in Bumble, and have gotten as far as the headline ‘Is Bumble just for dating?’, you’d be a fool if you didn’t have an inkling by now that maybe there’s more to the app that puts women in the driving seat than just dates?
Anyway, the rumors are true. There’s more to Bumble than dating – with BFF and Bizz mode both available on the app, Bumble is not just for dating. Specifically, you can look for friends, work and mentors on the platform too.
Bumble launched BFFs in 2016, a version of the app that’s designed for finding friendship rather than love.
For half a second, an app to find friends sounds kind of sad, right? Then you realize you use apps to find love, sex, food, you probably even found your job online.
So, why not just complete the set of human needs and find friendship through an app too?
Did that sound depressing? It wasn’t supposed to. Bumble BFFs is a pretty fun concept, and it can be really helpful in a new place.
It can also be helpful when all your friends only want to drink and play cornhole, and you have tickets to see a big retrospective at an art gallery. Or you know, vice versa!
One of the only issues with Bumble BFFs is that it only allows same-sex connections. They claim this is to stop misuse of the feature, but given that queerness and mixed-gender friendships exist plus there’s a perfectly good dating version of the site it does feel like a misstep!
Finally, Bumble Bizz. This is another Bumble mode, this time for professional networking. It’s open to both men and women but there is a women-only filter for businesses and recruiters who want to find a woman to fill a role.
Is Bumble A Good Hookup App?
It can be confusing to keep track of what app is good for what sort of dating – especially if you’ve been out of the game for a while. I mean, what the apps offer changes, even as new apps come onto the scene!
No shame at all in needing some guidance (I mean, my job depends on some people needing help)! In fact, if you want to know the absolute best apps for various kinds of dating in 2023, then check out my piece on the subject.
As I mentioned earlier, yes, Bumble is a good hookup app. It’s pretty casual, so works for finding hookups or short-term flings, but it is also more than just a hookup app.
Given Bumble is supposed to be pretty women-focused and help get rid of toxic or bullying behaviour common in dating apps, Bumble is probably a good place to practice being… you know… a decent guy.
So, if you’re looking for hookups, be open with your matches that’s what you’re doing!
If you’re used to online dating then you’ll probably be aware that most dating apps, apart from the absolute most serious, are an okay place to find hookups.
But Bumble in particular, as an app full of younger users (mostly older gen z and millennials, so think mid-20s to mid-30s), will have plenty of users at any given time who are just looking for some fun.
Is Bumble For Serious Relationships?
I promise it’s not a total contradiction to move from the last question onto this one! Bumble, like many modern dating apps, is a many and varied thing!
Bumble can be good for pretty much whatever you’re looking for, so it definitely can be a place to find a serious relationship if that’s what you’re after.
In fact, Bumble has done quite a bit to encourage somewhat deeper connections on their app. They provide ice breakers, and a ‘your turn’ feature to nudge matches when they’re being unhelpful in the conversation game.
In fact, the company is doing a lot to specifically stop itself from being labeled a hookup app and promote the idea that users are looking for love.
Their own survey found that 85% of users are looking for a serious relationship. To be fair, Bumble emerged as a salve for apps like Tinder that were brutally hookup-focused, and whether you’re looking for something serious and long-term or fun and short term the app definitely feels calmer and more authentic than any app I know just built for hookups.
It’s a perfectly decent place to look for serious relationships, but if you want to widen your pool and sign up for a few more apps then check out the nine best dating apps for relationships.
So, the conclusion on Bumble? It can pretty much be whatever you want it to be! Well, within reason.
If you get too niche with your desires you’re always going to have to find the correct corner of the internet (like, Doctor Who fans who only date other Doctor Who fans, or those men who marry cars…) but if you’re looking for love, friendship, or fun, honest hookups then Bumble has you covered!
