Contributed by: ElyseRomano on Sunday, February 26 2017 @ 05:02 pm
Last modified on
Snapchat’s success has influenced everyone from Instagram to Facebook, and now Bumble is getting in on the game. The dating app will soon launch BumbleVID, a feature that allows users to create stories with unlimited 10-second videos that automatically delete after 24 hours.
BumbleVID will be familiar to singles who already use Snapchat and Instagram. Users can record their videos from directly within the Bumble app, and personalize their clips by drawing on the videos. Eventually the company plans to introduce additional features, like filters and geotagging, that will also be recognizable to regular social media users.
After a video is posted to a profile, it can be viewed by anyone who comes across the profile while swiping. The videos will also appear on the connections and conversations page, providing easy access to the video stories of anyone you’re connected with or currently talking to.
Users may add pre-recorded videos if they don’t want to record directly within Bumble, but the clips must have been captured within last 24 hours. They will be marked with an indicator that shows they weren’t added “live.” Users can also see how many people watched their videos, as well as who the viewers were.
Whitney Wolfe, cofounder and CEO of Bumble, says that integrating video had been on the company’s mind for a long time, but that using video is much riskier for a company that connects strangers rather than friends.
Indeed, some have reacted to the news of BumbleVID’s launch by noting that posting live geotagged updates could put users at risk. Bumble insists that it’s aware of the potential danger and is focused on safety. According to Mashable[*1] , users can make their videos public if they want maximum reach, but will also have the option to only show videos to pre-approved matches. And as always, users can be reported or blocked if they act inappropriately.
Bumble hopes the video feature will be a positive addition to the community. Not only will it encourage users to post more content and spend more time on the platform, it will also keep the otherwise-static profiles from going stale. BumbleVID may also add a welcome dose of reality to the dating world. It’s much harder to fake who you are in off-the-cuff videos than carefully posed photos. Kiss Bumble goodbye, catfishers.
Look for BumbleVID to launch in the next few weeks. The feature will be available for all users who are photo verified on the platform.