Bumble Introduces New Feature for Kiwis to Connect During Lockdown & Social Distancing Restrictions

By Good Magazine

September 20, 2021


The popular social networking and dating app launches a new trivia game feature to help to break the ice on virtual dates.

Bumble, the women-first dating and social networking app, has announced the launch of “Night In,” a new virtual dating experience where two people can participate in an interactive game over a one-on-one video chat after matching in the app.

Bumble’s newest innovative product feature now offers daters an opportunity to create more meaningful and deeper connections, expanding the app’s portfolio of existing virtual dating options. 

After two people have matched, they have the option to participate in a newly imagined virtual date through “Night In” by clicking the icon within the chat message.

After opting for this feature, both parties will receive notifications within the app for their video date.

Once both people are inside their virtual game room, they will be presented with a virtual game and explanation of rules.

Bumble is offering trivia that has been created with Kiwi users in mind upon launch, and the company plans to expand this feature with new game options and virtual experiences in the future. 

Lucille McCart, APAC Communications Director, shares, “At the beginning of the pandemic, we knew that we were well-positioned to pivot to virtual dating because we already had our Voice Call and Video Chat feature in place. We know that in the current climate, dating behaviour amongst our users has changed, with a 45% increase in users asking potential dates if they have had the vaccine or COVID symptoms between May and June 2021. We know our community is still open to finding love and that many relationships have blossomed off the back of virtual dating, and we hope to keep providing new ways for users to do this on Bumble.” 


“Dating can be all about fun and games, and our new feature adds to the experience of connecting with someone new in a unique and engaging way.” 

Bumble has also seen a steady increase in the number of people who have included the word “vaccine” or “vaccinated” in their Bumble profiles after the first COVID-19 vaccines were administered earlier this year. 

Following the launch of audio notes last year, Bumble has now also launched Video Notes.

This feature enables people to send quick videos to each other directly in chat to help break the ice and build deeper conversations.

To show their fun side, people can choose to add five Snapchat lenses for their video notes, including Atmosphere, Reactions, and Fox Ears/Tail.

This enables people to send quick videos to each other directly in chat to help break the ice and build deeper conversations. 

To help Kiwi’s connect in more meaningful ways on Bumble, people can also select video calling backgrounds such as a picnic in Paris, a gondola ride in Venice and a campfire under the stars, among others.

These 360-degree backgrounds will imitate being together in real life and will react to your movement.

The AR backgrounds will be available in Bumble’s existing video calling feature, allowing people to make their video calls more exciting to kickstart conversations. 

McCart further added, “The way we interact with each other might have changed, but what hasn’t changed is our need for human connection. We hope our new Night In feature can help break the ice for the Bumble community in New Zealand who are experiencing lockdown or restrictions across the country and create a new way to get to know each other virtually.” 

In 2019, Bumble became one of the first major dating platforms to introduce in-app video and voice calls.

The Voice Call and Video Chat feature allows Bumble’s community to make voice and video calls directly within the app without sharing any personal information, like a phone number or email address. 

In July 2021, Bumble launched a “vaccinated” badge in the app that allows Kiwi users to share their vaccinated status with potential new partners. 

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