This post is sponsored by Bumble but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
"If you had asked me a year ago, I would have said I was done with dating apps. After one too many subpar pickup lines ranging from nice-guy-tolerable to lose-my-number-immediately-offensive, 2024 Keely was committed to meeting someone “organically.” Who doesn’t want a rom-com meet-cute in the grocery store? But after months of trying (i.e., wearing mascara to pick up prescriptions), I had to admit: Meeting someone in the wild is a lot easier said than done.
The thing is, I wasn’t alone. If you’ve spent even five minutes on TikTok lately, you know that 20-something women everywhere are over the idea that love is just going to materialize between the oat milk aisle and the checkout lane. Even reality shows like Love Is Blind are grappling with this. Sure, the idea of falling for someone organically sounds amazing, but trusting your gut (and someone you barely know) isn’t exactly simple in 2025 either. Between not getting past the casual “hey” and trying to meet someone with similar values, it’s no wonder so many of us are reconsidering how we date.
After a few months off the apps, I decided to come back. And this time, I wasn’t dragging my feet. I redownloaded an old favorite of mine, Bumble, and was thrilled to see thoughtful new features and a real focus on safety, authenticity, and matches I’m actually excited to go on dates with. For the first time in a long time, I have hope for online dating. Dare I say that Bumble made me excited about it?? Here’s how it’s going so far:
Why I swore off dating apps—and what changed
When I first deleted my dating apps (plural), it wasn’t because of some horror story or one terrible date but rather more of a slow burn. I noticed I was swiping out of boredom, not excitement, and keeping up with conversations started to feel like another item on my to-do list. Dating apps stopped feeling fun and more like a chore I had bestowed upon myself. That was my sign to step away.
I stayed off the apps for a few months, determined to meet someone IRL. But eventually, reality set in. As much as I loved the idea of a spontaneous, love-at-first-sight moment, it’s just not the easiest (or most reliable) way to date anymore. I work from home and also with only women. If I’m going out at night, it’s to spend time with my friends. And I’m sorry, I rarely want to be approached by a man while running errands. So I decided, why not try both? I could still live my life and stay open to meeting someone naturally, but using Bumble again (the app I found the least threatening) would open more doors—and maybe a few more meet-cutes along the way.
My honest Bumble review: What it’s like using the app now
When I redownloaded Bumble, I was a little hesitant. Part of me worried it would quickly fall into the same old dating app cycle of matches and dates I wasn’t excited about until I eventually decided to give up. But I immediately noticed something was different: Bumble felt more thoughtful, personalized, and digestible than I remembered.
Instead of endless swiping based on nothing but a selfie (or worse, a group photo), it actually felt like the app wanted to connect me with people I had something in common with. The vibe was clearer, calmer, and a lot more intentional, which, as someone who’s gotten really specific about what I want in a partner, felt like a breath of fresh air. It felt like Bumble has caught up to what women have been asking for: less chaos, more clarity.
The new Bumble features that actually made a difference
Bumble didn’t just update the look; they reimagined how the app works. Here are a few of the new features that stood out to me:
Discover
The first thing I noticed was the new Discover page. Instead of endless random profiles, Bumble now surfaces potential matches based on shared interests, dating goals, and communities. As someone who is very clear about wanting a long-term relationship, it was a huge relief to see matches who were actually looking for the same thing.
ID Verification
This feature instantly made me feel safer. With ID Verification, matches can verify their identity using an official ID, giving you extra peace of mind that the person you’re talking to is who they say they are.
I’m a big believer in telling friends where you’re going and who you’re meeting for a first date, so I love that Bumble now lets you share your date details with a trusted contact—right from the app. It’s such a simple feature, but it made me feel even more comfortable meeting up with new people.
Review Before You Send
Bumble’s “Review Before You Send” feature, initially used for Compliments, now applies to chat messages as well. If a message is flagged as potentially inappropriate or offensive (or breaks Bumble’s guidelines), the member will be asked to review and edit it before it goes through. It’s a small but powerful tweak that makes conversations feel a lot more genuine.
How Bumble is reinvigorating my hope in online dating
Dating feels different in 2025, and honestly, I’m here for it. Women (myself included) are putting a bigger emphasis on safety, authenticity, and shared values. We’re less interested in wasting time, and Bumble seems to get that.
This version of Bumble feels like it was built for people who are tired of dating apps feeling like a full-time job. It’s less about quantity and more about quality, and the whole experience feels lighter, easier, and actually… kind of fun again.
One of my favorite things? The mentality shift. I’m no longer swiping aimlessly—I’m choosing matches who align with my life and goals before we even start a conversation. It’s a small change that’s made a big difference in how confident and comfortable I feel dating.
Is Bumble worth it in 2025?
If you’re feeling the dating burnout (same!), I’d encourage you to give Bumble another shot. Between new features like Discover and Share Date and a dating culture that’s finally prioritizing authenticity over games, there’s never been a better time to give it a try. You might just be one swipe away from someone who’ll take you off the apps for good.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keely Geist, Senior Social Media Editor
With more than four years of professional experience, Keely loves the power social media has to connect others from all over the world. She has conceptualized and spearheaded many of The Everygirl and The Everymom’s most viral posts. Her work has been shared by many beloved celebrities, including Kourtney Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Jen Atkin, Kaia Gerber, and Shonda Rhimes—just to name a few.
This post is sponsored by Bumble but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
Feature graphic images credited to: Dupe | Meg Ladson