5 Ways to Get Guys to Respond on Bumble

I first wrote this in 2017 then, in 2022 when I was still active on Bumble, I Googled this question. In 2024, I’m no longer on dating apps having found my partner on – you guessed it – Bumble. Nevertheless, an update is due…

Over the years, I’ve tried nearly all the dating sites and apps, and Bumble, IMHO, is probably one of the best dating apps. But perhaps I’m biased. You see, I found my life partner and father of my child on Bumble. As with all dating apps, I believe that to be successful on Bumble, a dollop of luck is required, though I did find certain tactics lead to a greater chance of a response.

Tips for getting guys to respond on Bumble

Be Swipe-Happy. Revel in the judgemental nature of traditional dating apps. A glance at a person’s bio should suffice; spending ages analysing each word and rogue commas is too time-consuming – you might not match and he might not reply. Once you match, you can learn more about them and start a conversation…
Start a conversation with EVERYONE you match with. Bumble’s recent update no longer requires women to message first and its new feature “Opening Moves” allows you to set a question for a match. Just because you’ve matched with someone, doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily message so increase your odds by kicking off a conversation with all your connections.
Keep it simple yet personal. Sometimes, a lengthy response pays off, other times, you’ve spent 5 minutes crafting a message only to be ignored for the next 24 hours. Acknowledge their photos or their bio: have you visited somewhere they have? Do you also have a penchant for eating pistachios on the park bench and watching the world go by? Enjoy connecting over shared interests by asking open questions.
Bypass all boring chatter in the first few messages. Online dating can be tedious – don’t be the person who asks what they do for a living, where they live and what they did over the weekend. While these things are important, keep initial messages light to see if you have an initial (digital) spark. And for God’s sake, don’t talk about the weather (unless it’s really, really freaky).
Be flirty, but not outrageous. A little wink and a suggestive comment get results. As does a dirty message, but that depends on what you’re seeking from Bumble. Early messages are best when casual and breezy.