Bumble still feels familiar—swipe, match, chat—but a few 2024–2025 tweaks change what guys see and how conversations start. Here’s what actually shows up for men today, plus how the “who messages first” rule now works in practice.
TL;DR
- Guys see name, age, photos, bio, and optional Spotify/Instagram links
- In male–female matches, women still message first, but Opening Moves lets them post prompts men can reply to
- Matches expire after 24 hours unless extended or rematched
- Seeing your likes (“Beeline”) is a Premium-only feature
- Free users get roughly 25 right swipes per day before limits reset
Is Bumble Different For Guys?
So, you’re swiping through Bumble looking for the one. And you know your profile is looking good – even if you aren’t right now. I mean, isn’t that what profiles are all about? The hotties in your feed will never see you laying on your bed in an old robe swiping. Well, not unless they’re really lucky. But are guys and girls having the same Bumble experience? No, not the whole ‘swiping in a robe’ part. But their view of the app and how it works. Generally speaking, the experience for men and women on Bumble is pretty similar – but there are a few differences. Bumble is known for giving women the freedom to start and shape the conversation, and since 2024 there’s also Opening Moves: women can post a question on their profile so a match can reply to that as the first message. That means in male–female matches a guy can sometimes reply first—if she set an Opening Move. In same-gender or nonbinary connections, either person can start the chat. One of the first things people wonder about on dating apps is how their profile looks to others – whether they come across well, and how much information is easy to access. This is completely natural, but sometimes you need a little reassurance – we’ve all uploaded and deleted a photo multiple times. I’m literally a dating expert and I still do it.
What Is A Guy’s Feed Like On Bumble?
There are three main things visible to a guy looking at Bumble, and these are the same as what women will see on their feeds. For each user who pops up in a guy’s feed, he’ll see:
- Basic info (name, age, and job if included)
- Photos (possibly including adorable pet)
Social media like Spotify or Instagram (entirely optional!)
You’ll also commonly see badges like Interests, Dating Intentions, and a Verified check if they’ve completed photo verification. Bumble’s algorithm still prioritizes local and active profiles; you can boost visibility with paid features like Boost or Spotlight. For free accounts, Bumble doesn’t publish the exact daily right-swipe cap, but most users report roughly 25 likes per day, which reset on a rolling 24-hour basis rather than at midnight.
Remember, like with a lot of dating apps, Bumble tends to work best for people who verify their accounts – so whatever your interests, you will be more visible (and trustworthy!) once other users know you’re not a spambot.
Do Guys See When They’ve Been Liked On Bumble?
This is another way in which Bumble is similar for guys, girls, and anyone in between. Unless a match is made, all Bumble users only know they’ve been liked if they’re paying for Bumble Premium and using the Beeline feature. Of course, modern life is expensive enough and most users keep to Bumble’s free version. If you’re seeing a user repeatedly, that may mean they liked you. Of course, it might also mean there aren’t a lot of singles who meet your criteria in your area! Your two choices when that’s the case? Well, you can move or lower your standards. Or maybe try another dating app?
What Happens When A Guy Matches With A Girl On Bumble?
On Bumble, guys will see a match with a female user but won’t be able to actually talk to her until the girl decides to start the conversation—unless she’s set an Opening Move you can respond to. Until then, they’ll only see what’s already been made public (the same picture, bio, name/age/location they swiped right on). Chances are most guys are going to be spending this wait for conversation nervous about what they’re going to say! As a guy, you don’t need to worry about what to open with, but you do have to keep things going after that. It’s worth remembering that Bumble has a 24-hour time limit for the chat to start. If the timer’s running out, you can use Extend to add another 24 hours—everyone gets one free Extend per day, and paid tiers can extend unlimited matches. If a match expires, Rematch (on subscriptions) restarts the 24-hour clock. That said, if you do let it expire, the other person will return to the dating pool, and you can always find them there again. I mean, not in a creepy way. Don’t go all John Wick on Martha, who lives three miles away and works as a veterinary nurse.
Can Guys Message First On Bumble?
Guys are still out of luck by default in male–female matches: traditionally only women send the first message. The nuance now is Opening Moves—if she adds one, you can reply to that prompt first, which keeps her in control while taking the pressure off the opener. In same-gender or nonbinary matches, either person can send the first message. This helps to filter out some of the creepier and abusive messages that can pop up on other apps – one of Bumble’s main selling points is its commitment to Safety and Wellbeing. And anything that keeps the creeps out is a win in my book!
What Happens When A Guy Matches With Another Guy On Bumble?
The Bumble app is not exclusively aimed at straight users! This means that guy-guy matches happen. How do they work? Well, keeping your preferences open does bring a few changes to the formula we’ve talked about so far. Men looking for men are not tied to the waiting room structure that has brought the app its fame – in fact, in same-gender (and nonbinary) connections, either person can start the conversation. The 24-hour timer still applies to starting and replying, and you’ve got the same Extend or Rematch safety nets if time gets away from you. Depending on your interests, if you’re a guy looking for guys you might feel that takes some of the pressure off. A bi-friend of mine once said he prefers using Bumble to meet men for this very reason – he can’t start the conversation with women, but he can with guys.
Final Thoughts
Bumble is a pretty chill place, even if you’re still to decide if you’re looking for a hookup or something more serious. If that doesn’t sound quite right and you’re still unsure if Bumble is the app for you, why not try the DudeHack dating app quiz. Or, if you’re interested in an easy step-to-step guide to online dating, download our free e-book Tinder Hacked.
FAQ
Can men see who liked them on Bumble?
Only with Beeline on Bumble Premium. Free users can’t see a full list; you’ll find out when you match or if you upgrade.
Do men still have to wait for women to message first?
In male–female matches, yes—unless she’s enabled an Opening Move. Then you can reply to her prompt as the first message. In same-gender or nonbinary matches, either person can start.
How long do I have to message before a match expires?
Matches run on a 24-hour timer to start the chat, and the first reply also has 24 hours. You can use Extend (one free daily; paid plans allow more) or Rematch on subscriptions to keep things moving.
How many likes do guys get per day on Bumble?
Bumble doesn’t publish the exact number for free accounts. Most users report roughly 25 right swipes per day, refreshing on a rolling 24-hour cycle.
Why do some profiles keep reappearing?
It usually means you haven’t made a mutual match yet, your preferences are tight, or the pool is small where you’re searching. Sometimes it also happens after an expired match or a Rematch.
Can I call or voice note someone without sharing my number?
Yes—Bumble supports voice notes and in-app video calls once you’ve matched, so you don’t need to swap phone numbers to talk.
