Bumble Introduces Social Media Handles to Transform Dating Experience

WHO:

Fast Company - Bumble CEO and founder Whitney Wolfe Herd discussed the new feature.

WHAT:

Fast Company - Bumble introduced a new feature called "Handles" that allows users to create unique user IDs similar to social media usernames.

Fast Company - Users in the United States on iOS can create their handles now in the app.

Fast Company - A 2026 Harris Poll found that two-thirds of single adults in the U.S. aren’t using dating apps, with 72% of singles saying that dating apps feel more transactional than romantic.

Fast Company - Bumble's stock has dropped over 90% since going public in 2021.

Fast Company - Bumble is set to go private again due to a $1.3 billion sale that includes two new CEOs.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The new Handles feature is available to users in the United States.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Bumble's Handles feature was launched following the announcement of its acquisition.

WHY:

Fast Company - The Handles feature aims to give users more control over their dating experience, allowing them to share their profiles without exchanging phone numbers or social media accounts.

Fast Company - Bumble's changes come as the app is at a crossroads, facing challenges in the dating app industry.

HOW:

Fast Company - Users can opt to create handles that can be found via search, allowing for direct profile sharing.

Fast Company - Users can turn off their handles at any time, making them undiscoverable by search.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 21:01 UTC)

Bumble has introduced a new feature called "Handles," allowing users in the United States on iOS to create unique user IDs similar to social media usernames, which aims to enhance their dating experience by enabling profile sharing without the need for phone numbers or social media accounts. This launch follows Bumble's announcement of a $1.3 billion sale that will see the company go private again, along with the appointment of two new CEOs, as it faces significant challenges in the dating app industry, including a 90% drop in stock value since going public in 2021. A recent Harris Poll revealed that two-thirds of single adults in the U.S. aren’t using dating apps, with many feeling that these platforms are more transactional than romantic, highlighting the need for Bumble's innovative changes.