Bumble is finally catching up with competitor Tinder with a new ID verification feature as dating app users urge for more safety measures.
In addition to ID verification, the company also released three more features, including a feature that flags inappropriate messages in chat before users hit send and the ability to share date details with friends. Bumble also launched a “Discover” page dedicated to helping users find matches with similar interests.
Bumble’s new verification feature lets users submit a picture of a government-issued ID to authenticate their identity and earn a badge for their profile. This allows users to sort profiles according to those who are ID verified and also to ask their matches to complete the verification process.
The feature is currently available in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, France, India, Ireland, Spain, Germany, Mexico, and New Zealand. It plans to expand to additional markets soon.
Bumble’s ID verification badge comes as AI makes it harder to figure out which dating profiles are real or fake. It also comes as romance scams continue. Rival Tinder expanded its identity verification program last year to the U.S., U.K., Brazil, and Mexico.
Additionally, a new “Share Date” feature allows Bumble users to share their date details — such as the person they’re meeting, the time, and location — with people they trust. If plans change, they can update their friends directly in the app. Tinder launched a “Share My Date” feature in April 2024.
Another feature focused on safety, “Review Before You Send,” targets the messaging section, where users frequently encounter inappropriate messages. Initially introduced for the Compliments feature, Review Before You Send reminds senders to edit flagged messages before sending.
Bumble’s new “Discover” experience offers a new way to find the most compatible people. Similar to Tinder’s “Explore” page, users can explore different categories to find people with shared dating intentions, similar interests, and communities. The profiles are refreshed daily.
The feature announcements are part of Bumble’s attempt to restore growth to its dating app, following a 3.8% decline in quarterly app revenue to $212.4 million in the fourth quarter.
