Bumble has just added the option to turn off dating mode within the app.
The company has been adding more services to its platform to help connect women, rather than just acting as a dating app. Bumble BFF was launched to create female friendships, while Bumble Bizz is designed for professional networking.
Until now, users had to be signed up to the dating feature in order to use BFF and Bizz. This proved to be awkward for some people who were in committed relationships.
This new update means that new users can sign up for just the services that they want to use and not appear on the dating app.
Sara Foster, the Head of Creative at Bumble, explained to PopSugar: “We didn’t want to alienate people who just want to come to Bumble for business and friendship. Not everyone is comfortable having it on their phone, and we won’t deny that.
“I have friends who have gone into business with people they met on Bumble. There’s a whole network of cool, smart, ambitious girls on BFF who are looking to get their squad together.”
Some people may have been put off using BFF or Bizz because they knew they had to sign up for dating, something which is still stigmatised in some circles. Sarah Jones Simmer, the COO of Bumble, hopes that the introduction of Facebook Dating will alleviate some of the negative connotations associated with dating apps.
Bumble has recently launched another initiative to help female-led startups. Bumble Fund will see $5,000 to $250,000 invested in companies that are created for women, by women.
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