Bumble is reportedly planning to phase out its long-standing swipe feature, replacing it with what CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd described as a “revolutionary” new approach to online dating interactions. The announcement marks one of the platform’s biggest structural changes since its launch.

Currently, Bumble relies on the familiar swipe-to-match system popularised by Tinder. Users swipe right on profiles they are interested in and left on profiles they want to reject. If both users swipe right on each other, they are matched and can begin a conversation. The feature became a defining mechanic across the dating app industry and was adopted by multiple competing platforms.

Bumble’s decision is connected to increasing “swipe fatigue” among younger users. A Forbes Health/OnePoll survey cited in the article found that nearly 78 percent of Gen Z dating app users have experienced burnout linked to continuous swiping behaviour. Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd reportedly acknowledged that the system may be negatively affecting users’ emotional wellbeing and dating experiences.

The company has not yet revealed what will replace swiping. However, the report suggests that Bumble could explore alternative interaction models similar to curated matches or profile-based engagement systems already seen on other dating platforms.

The changes are expected to begin rolling out in select markets during the fourth quarter of the year. Alongside the removal of swiping, Bumble is also reportedly revisiting its existing “women make the first move” structure. Herd stated that future updates would preserve the platform’s original intent while removing rigid gender-based interaction rules.

The move signals a broader effort by Bumble to modernise its platform as user expectations around online dating continue evolving.