We may be socially distant right now, but users of online dating apps have far from disconnected.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, popular dating apps like Tinder and Bumble have moved quickly to improve their virtual dating capabilities to help people better find connection and even love in isolation.
Last week, Tinder made its Passport feature free for its users, and now, Bumble has launched a ‘Virtual Dating’ badge that allows for video dalliances to take place safely on the app.
If users are open to it, they can now add the ‘Virtual Dating’ badge to their profiles. The badge will also allow Bumble users to find and filter their prospective matches based on who is open to date via video while social distancing measures stay firmly in place.
While Bumble previously allowed users to search for matches within a 1-160km radius, it’s now allowing daters to comb for matches throughout their entire country with the new ‘nationwide’ setting.
Bumble says it has seen a 26% increase in messages sent on the platform. What’s more, conversations have taken a turn for the meaningful, with chats lasting substantially longer and containing more messages than in previous timeframes.
“Because of this increased usage of Bumble’s chat platform, the company is giving its users new tools to enhance their chat experience and enable them to get to know each other better,” Bumble says.
Data also shows a 56% increase in video calls, which are now also lasting longer than before. The global average for video dates now stands at 21 minutes.
Finally, in addition to the chat, voice call and video chat capabilities, users can also record audio messages for their matches. It’s a feature sure to come in handy for those navigating time differences.
The current health crisis is evolving rapidly. If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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