Bumble is Testing a Standalone App for Finding Friends

- Friday, June 30 2023 @ 09:20 am
- Contributed by: kellyseal
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Bumble is testing its BFF (Bumble for Friends) service as a standalone app for finding friends, according to Mashable.
Bumble BFF and Bumble Bizz (for career networking) have been features on the main Bumble dating app for a long time, and now Bumble intends to spin BFF off into its own entity. The new app is being tested in the UK and select Asian markets, according to confirmation from Bumble. And according to Tech Crunch, though Bumble couldn’t confirm specific countries where it’s being tested, the app is also available in Australia, New Zealand and Philippines for both Androids and iPhones.
Bumble BFF expected to launch in the U.S. this summer.
It’s likely that the dating app’s Bizz service will be a standalone app down the line as well. But for now, the company is focusing on its BFF service, since about 15 percent of Bumble’s active monthly users utilize the feature.
“With Bumble For Friends, you can chat, meet new people, and make friends in a community focused on kindness and safety,” the BFF app’s description in the App Store reads.
Bumble has made a launch page for the new app, with a marketing tagline that says: “platonic soulmates do exist.” They have also created “The Friendship Hub” with articles and tips on meeting people and expanding your friend network. There are different tags the company offers to express what you are looking for in a friendship: “someone to text 24/7” and “someone to rant to” included.
The launch page says: “Bumble For Friends is about exactly that, friends. Whether you moved to a new city, found a new hobby, or just want a new person to talk to—Bumble For Friends is about finding your kinda people”
The move comes after the pandemic drove many people online to connect. Dating apps saw a surge in memberships and activity, which has remained pretty steady since.
With more people turning to their phones to meet people, especially Gen Z, Bumble has the right idea to expand its dating app offerings to helping them make friends. Many are using social apps like TikTok and Instagram already to meet friends as well as dates.
In fact, many people are looking for both at the same time. So, it makes sense that a dating app would also expand its offerings to make it easier for users to form platonic relationships, too.
Bumble’s new app will be competing with longtime apps in the space like Yubo, LMK, Wink Swipr and Vibe.