Bumble Announces 3 New COVID-Related Badges for Users

Dating app Bumble announced the addition of three new COVID-related profile badges that users (it is unclear if this is just for users in India or all users) can choose from to indicate how socially distant they want to be on a date.

The three badge choices are virtual, socially-distanced, and socially-distanced with masks to clearly identify their comfort levels with dating during the pandemic. Company executives told The Hindustan Times that this alleviates the awkwardness of conversations surrounding COVID-19, and how each dater feels about interaction.

Users can choose to add one of the dating badges to their profile by going to “Edit Profile” on the bottom left corner of the app, and then a selection of badges will appear. Once they add a badge, they can filter potential matches who have selected the same preference.

The new Bumble filters to help users date during tte Pandemic

Image: bumble

The decision to add the badges was based on a survey that Bumble conducted with users about their concerns of dating during the pandemic. The company found that 78% of users would be happy to meet up in person (even though 69% were still worried about COVID-19). Most were interested in video dating, at least as an option to get to know someone before committing to an in-person date. 

The popularity of virtual dating during lockdowns has been a sea change among dating app users. Bumble found that 78% of its users are open to video chatting or have already done it, a drastic change from November 2019 when they first introduced the feature. Other dating apps like Tinder, Plenty of Fish, and Hinge have also been rushing to add video features to their apps.

“People are spending roughly 20 mins on average on a video chat or voice call on Bumble in India,” the company told Hindustan Times.

The company also found that daters have a lack of understanding about what is acceptable and safe when it comes to dating. The majority want to meet people, but there is a gap in what feels comfortable and safe among users. Some people are fine with sticking to video chats while others want to meet in person but only if both are wearing masks. Some prefer to meet in person and social distance without wearing masks.

Dating apps are becoming more popular in India, especially as the population skews younger, so online dating companies have had their eye on targeting this market. Bumble formed a partnership with actress Priyanka Chopra to help launch the app, and Match Group hired a new executive to oversee the region for its suite of dating apps, including Tinder, Hinge and OkCupid.