We don't know how to date anymore, so Bumble has a new guide to help (2024)

By now, singles are well aware that the pandemic has changed the dating game. Just how much, however, is starting to become clear: 40 percent of daters don't even know how to date anymore, according to new data from Bumble.

The statistic comes from Bumble's new Dating 101 in 2021, a data-driven guide to how to date in the new year complete with articles, videos, and aesthetic infographics. The dating app found that not only are 40 percent of daters unsure they know how to successfully date now, but also that an even higher percentage — two out of three — aren't comfortable navigating the complicated dating landscape COVID has left in its wake.

"Since the onset of COVID-19, our community has experienced an unprecedented disruption to every aspect of their social life, including dating," said Jemma Ahmed, Head of Insights at Bumble, in a press release. "Our research shows daters find dating complicated and overwhelming, and the stakes are high for connecting in the age of COVID-19 when considering health and safety risks."

Bumble, then, created Dating 101 to help boost daters' confidence as the new year rapidly approaches. "With Dating 101 in 2021," Ahmed continued, "our community is equipped with the data-driven tools needed to navigate the complexities of this new normal and instill confidence to seek connections with one another."

The guide comes at the perfect time, too. While it may seem like it's been March for nine months, it's actually November. That means it's cuffing season, and between now andl Valentine's Day is the peak time for swiping. The vast majority of daters, 83 percent, told Bumble they're planning on using apps just as much if not more now through Valentine's Day.

Inside Bumble's Dating 101 guide

Dating 101 marries current trends with predictions and offers tips on how to navigate the ever-changing dating arena.

For one in four Bumble users, that arena is already new. They're likely to be "New Dawn Daters," or people who are newly single after going through a pandemic breakup. While their past relationship ended, there's solace that they're not alone — and that other daters are taking their app use seriously. One in three users told Bumble they're placing a stronger emphasis in finding a partner going into the holidays, and 40 percent are slowing down the "getting to know you" phase.

These findings aren't unique to Bumble. Match and Hinge have both seen similar trends of more singles intentionally dating and wanting a longer-term partner. OkCupid noticed more people wanting to "slow date" as well.

But wanting a partner and actually finding one are two separate ventures — especially if you're in that 40 percent that isn't confident in your dating skills anymore. That doesn't even account for the mental toll that the pandemic has taken on all of us. That is reflected in Bumble's research as well: More than half of daters feel disconnected from those they're close to, and more than two out of three are lonelier than before, in general and in their romantic lives.

This is where Dating 101 goes beyond straight statistics and offers some advice. In addition to an article on how to protect your mental health, there's also a COVID dating pep talk to assure daters that it's not all bad. And truly, it's not. Just as Match and Hinge saw a rise in intentional dating, 63 percent of Bumble daters reported that the pandemic helped them figure out what really matters. What's more is that 43 percent feel more confident in discussing their dating needs.

Still, the pandemic's mental health impact shouldn't be taken lightly, so Bumble partnered with teletherapy service Talkspace to provide users some help. From now until Dec. 2, U.S. users can redeem a $120 discount off their first month of any Talkspace plan by swiping right through all Bumble modes (Date, BFF, or Bizz). Users can cancel their plan at any time.

Beyond their Talkspace discount Bumble also offer three 2021 dating "hacks":

• Send a message at the most optimal time. Bumble identified peak usage as between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on any given day.

• Add a badge (like your Zodiac sign or your exercise habit) — it increases your chance of matching by 70 percent.

• Share what dates you're comfortable with during this time. Daters who do this experience a 20 percent increase in average number of matches per month compared to those who don't.

In addition to the hacks, Dating 101 also has articles on important topics, like having the "COVID conversation" with a potential date, or how to navigate sex and intimacy during this time.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that you can't predict that will happen next. But now we've also learned that we can adapt to sudden changes. With Dating 101's insight, hopefully that 40 percent of confused daters dwindles down going into the new year.