Bumble Reverses Men Messaging First Feature

Bumble, known for its "women make the first move" approach since its 2014 launch, is reversing a recent change that allowed men to message first. The company announced the removal of its Opening Moves feature in Mexico and Australia. This feature, introduced in 2024, permitted men to send the initial message to women, aiming to alleviate dating app exhaustion.

The decision to remove Opening Moves from these markets comes as Bumble seeks to reinforce its foundational principle of women-led interactions. This strategic shift occurs amidst financial challenges for the company, including layoffs and a significant drop in stock value. The move also appears to address legal concerns that arose in California, where the app faced accusations of discriminating against men.

A spokesperson for Bumble stated that the company regularly tests and innovates features to foster respectful connections and maintain its "women-first mission" while prioritizing member safety. Learnings from these feature tests are evaluated to ensure they align with community needs and deliver a positive user experience. The company is reportedly removing the feature in Australia and Mexico due to lower legal risks in those regions.