How Many Likes Do You Get on Bumble? Plus, 11+ Profile Tips

First: What a “Like” Actually Means on Bumble

A like is not a match (and definitely not a wedding invitation)

On Bumble, a like happens when someone swipes right on you. A match happens when you both like each other. Then the app hands you the baton to start chattinghow that “first message” works can vary depending on your connection type and features like Opening Moves.

There are “louder” likes, too

Not all likes whisper. Some come in wearing tap shoes:

• Compliments: A short message attached to a specific photo, prompt, or bio sectionbasically a like with words. (And yes, it counts as a right swipe.)
• SuperSwipes: A stronger signal of interest meant to help you stand out in someone’s stack.

Translation: if you’re trying to increase your visibility or start conversations faster, these features can be usefulbut they’re not magic wands. Your profile still needs to carry the rest of the sentence.

Can You See How Many Likes You Get on Bumble?

Free vs. paid: the “Liked You” reality check

Bumble’s “Liked You” tab is where you’d view people who already liked you so you can match quickly. But there’s a catch: you generally need Bumble Premium to see everyone who’s liked you. Depending on your subscription level, Bumble may show a grid view or a blurred stack.

Why your “likes” number can drop (even if you did nothing wrong)

If you ever feel personally victimized by a number going downdeep breath. Like counts can change for normal reasons:

• You changed age/distance/advanced filters, which can filter out some people from what you see.
• Someone who liked you no longer matches your filters (or left the app, paused, moved, etc.).
• You matched with someoneso they’re no longer sitting in “Liked You.”

In other words: a lower number isn’t a cosmic review of your face. Sometimes it’s just math and settings.

So… How Many Likes Do People Usually Get on Bumble?

Here’s the most honest answer: there isn’t one “normal” like count. Bumble doesn’t publish a universal average because likes depend heavily on location, demographics, preferences, activity, and how your profile resonates with the people who see it.

But you can still set realistic expectations by thinking in ranges and contexts, not absolutes.

Three realistic scenarios (so you don’t compare your Tuesday to someone else’s highlight reel)

• Big city + broad filters + strong photos: You might see a steady stream of likes, sometimes dailyespecially during peak swiping hours.
• Smaller town + narrow filters: Likes can come in waves (some days quiet, some days busy) because the pool is smaller.
• New or refreshed profile: You may get a short-term bump in visibility, then settle into a more consistent baseline.

The goal isn’t “most likes.” The goal is enough likes from the right people to create matches you actually want to talk to.

The Quiet Math Behind Your Like Count

1) Your local dating pool is the real algorithm

If you’re in a dense area, more people are available to see you. If you’re in a smaller area (or your distance is tight), fewer people cycle through. Same profile, different zip code, wildly different results.

2) Filters can “hide” interested people from you

Bumble’s own guidance notes that if you can’t see someone who liked you, it can be because they don’t meet the filters you’ve seteven though you meet theirs. Adjusting or relaxing filters may reveal more likes.

3) Conversation features affect momentum

Bumble introduced Opening Moves to reduce pressure and help start better conversations. If someone has an Opening Move set, a match can reply to it regardless of whose “turn” it is. In some places (like California), having an Opening Move can even be required.

4) Your profile’s “clarity” beats your profile’s “perfection”

People don’t swipe right on perfection. They swipe right on a clear picture of what dating you feels like. Your job is to make that picture easy to understand in about 1.7 seconds.

11+ Bumble Profile Tips That Actually Move the Needle

These tips are designed to increase likes and improve match qualitybecause more matches with the wrong people is just a full-time job you didn’t apply for.

Tip 1: Make photo #1 unmistakably you

Your first photo should be a clean, well-lit shot of just you. Bumble explicitly recommends a first photo where potential matches can clearly identify who they’re swiping onsave group photos for later.

Tip 2: Show your eyes and your smile (yes, it matters)

Bumble’s own profile guidance suggests that showing your smile and eyes (without sunglasses) and avoiding heavy filters helps. You don’t need a runway headshotjust a friendly, real-looking you.

Tip 3: Use all six photo slots

One or two photos can hold you back. Bumble encourages filling all six photo slots with a mix of selfies, candids, and group pics that represent your life and interests. More variety gives more “hooks” for the right person to like you.

Tip 4: Include one clear full-body photo (no apology energy)

Not for judgmentbecause it reduces uncertainty. People feel more comfortable liking when they understand what you look like in real life. Choose a flattering, normal photo that looks like something you’d post anyway.

Tip 5: Build a “story arc” with your photos

Instead of six versions of the same angle, aim for variety:

• One friendly close-up
• One full-body
• One “in your element” (hobby, cooking, hiking, museum, game night)
• One social proof (a group photo where you’re clearly identifiable)
• One dressed-up (wedding guest energy)
• One wildcard that shows personality (without trying too hard)

Tip 6: Turn on Bumble’s Best Photo feature (and let data help)

Bumble’s Best Photo feature tests your first three photos to see which gets the most right swipes, then moves that one to the top. If choosing a lead photo makes you spiral, this is a practical shortcut.

Tip 7: Write a bio that answers: “What would dating you be like?”

Try this simple structure (without sounding like a robot):

• One line about your vibe (warm, witty, outdoorsy, ambitious, calm)
• One line about how you spend time (what you actually do, not what people think sounds impressive)
• One line about what you’re looking for (clear, positive, not a list of complaints)

Example: “Part-time home chef, full-time playlist curator. Weekends are for farmers markets, long walks, and trying one new place. Looking for someone kind, curious, and down for both cozy nights and real plans.”

Tip 8: Use prompts like mini conversation starters, not résumé bullets

Prompts work best when they reveal something specificand give someone an easy reply. Pop culture and relationship experts often recommend choosing prompts that show values, humor, and a concrete “in.”

Better: “A perfect Sunday is: iced coffee, bookstore browsing, and cooking something I found on a chaotic food blog.”
Not better: “I like traveling and food.” (Everyone likes traveling and food. Even cats. And they don’t have passports.)

Tip 9: Set an Opening Move that makes replying effortless

Opening Moves let you add questions (or even a photo with a caption) that matches can respond to right away. Choose something easy, specific, and not interview-y.

• “Pick one: beach weekend, cabin weekend, or city weekendand why?”
• “What’s your ‘small joy’ this week?”
• “You get one comfort meal forever. What is it?”

Tip 10: Get photo verified (especially if you want more trust fast)

Bumble uses photo verification to confirm you’re a real person, typically through a prompted selfie reviewed via automated and human checks. Notably, Bumble states that Photo Verification is mandatory in the USA. Verified badges can help reduce skepticism and increase quality interactions.

Tip 11: Consider ID verification if it’s available to you

Bumble has also rolled out optional ID verification in multiple markets (including the U.S.), using a government-issued ID and selfie to add another layer of credibility. If your biggest enemy is “Are they even real?”, this feature is your friend.

Tip 12: Use Compliments strategically (aim for specific, not generic)

A good Compliment is basically “I paid attention” in 150 characters or less. Comment on something in their profile, not just their face.

Examples:

• “That ramen photo made me hungry. What’s your go-to order?”
• “You mentioned museumsfavorite exhibit you’ve ever seen?”
• “Your dog looks like a professional comedian. What’s their name?”

Tip 13: Don’t over-filter yourself into a corner

It’s smart to have dealbreakers. It’s also possible to accidentally set your preferences so tight you’re basically trying to date a unicorn who lives within 3 miles and was born on the exact same Tuesday as you. If likes are low, test widening distance or loosening one filter for a week.

Turn Likes Into Conversations: 10 Openers That Don’t Feel Like a CAPTCHA

Once you match, your next job is to be a normal person. Here are openers that work because they’re specific, light, and reply-friendly:

1. “Okay, I have to askwhat’s the story behind that photo?”
2. “Two truths and a lie: go.”
3. “Quick vote: tacos or sushi tonight?”
4. “Your profile convinced me you’d have elite recommendations. Best coffee spot?”
5. “What’s something you’re looking forward to this month?”
6. “If we had a free Saturday, what would we do?”
7. “What’s your most controversial food opinion?”
8. “Green flags you appreciate in someone?”
9. “You can only watch one show foreverwhat is it?”
10. “I’m choosing between two weekend plans: ___ or ___. Pick one.”

When Your Likes Drop: Normal Reasons (and What to Do)

If your like count suddenly dips, try this checklist before you delete your account and move to the woods:

• Review filters: Bumble notes filters can prevent you from seeing people who liked you. Try relaxing distance/age briefly.
• Refresh your lead photo: swap in your strongest, clearest face-forward photo (or turn on Best Photo).
• Add one “life” photo: show an activity you genuinely do, not a staged personality cosplay.
• Rewrite one prompt: make it more specific so people have something to respond to.
• Stay active (without doom-swiping): consistency usually beats one frantic 90-minute session at 2 a.m.

Safety and Sanity While Swiping

Use built-in safety tools like Share Date

Bumble’s Share Date feature lets you share the details of a planned meetup (who/when/where) with a trusted contacteven via a link, and the recipient doesn’t necessarily need Bumble. Use it. It’s the digital version of “text me when you get home,” but organized.

Likes are not self-worth points

Research and reporting on online dating in the U.S. shows it can be a mixed experiencesome people find real relationships, others deal with burnout, rude messages, and emotional fatigue. If you feel yourself spiraling, reduce app time, take breaks, and treat dating like a processnot a scoreboard.

Conclusion

So, how many likes do you get on Bumble? Enough to make you curiousand sometimes confused. The more useful question is: are you getting likes from people you’d actually want to meet?

Build a profile with clear photos, a bio that sounds like a human, prompts that invite conversation, and tools like Opening Moves and verification that reduce friction. Then swipe with intention, message with warmth, and remember: the right match is one good conversation awaynot one thousand likes away.

Bonus: Real-World Bumble “Likes” Experiences (About )

Experience #1: The Big-City Whiplash
In a dense city, likes can feel like a firehoseespecially right after you set up your profile or swap in a stronger first photo. One day you’re thinking, “Wow, this is going great,” and the next day it’s quieter and you assume the app has personally grounded you. What’s really happening is often simple: you were shown to a wider slice of people at first, then you settled into a steadier rhythm. The best move here isn’t to panic-edit your profile every hour. It’s to watch what actually changes outcomeslike replacing a dim indoor selfie with a bright, friendly photo where your face is clear.

Experience #2: The Small-Town Reality Check
In smaller towns (or with a tight distance radius), likes arrive in waves. You may get a cluster over a weekend, then a lull. That lull can feel personal, but it’s often just the size of the pool. People who do well in this scenario usually widen distance slightly, keep their profile specific, and focus on quality conversations instead of “collecting” likes. In smaller pools, being memorable matters more than being universally appealingso a profile that clearly shows your lifestyle (coffee walks, gym, books, live music, cooking) tends to outperform a generic “I like to have fun” bio every time.

Experience #3: The Filter Trap
Some users notice their like count drop after adjusting preferencesand immediately assume something is “wrong.” What’s usually wrong is the settings. If you narrow age, distance, or advanced filters, you can filter out people who already liked you. A common experience is relaxing one filter for a few days, seeing more likes appear, then tightening it again once you’ve matched with the people you’re actually interested in. Think of it like turning on a flashlight: you didn’t create more people, you just made them visible.

Experience #4: The Prompt That Changed Everything
Many people report a bigger improvement from rewriting one prompt than from swapping ten photos. Why? Because prompts give someone something to say. A good prompt turns your profile from “pretty face in a lineup” into “person I can imagine talking to.” For example, switching from “I’m competitive about: everything” to “I’m competitive about: trivia night (especially movie questions). Team name suggestions welcome.” Suddenly you’re not just getting likesyou’re getting messages that start conversations naturally.

Experience #5: The Confidence Flip
The most underrated change isn’t technicalit’s emotional. When users stop treating likes like a grade and start treating Bumble like a tool, they show up differently. They choose photos that look like their real life. They write bios that sound like them. They message like a person who expects kindness, not like someone bracing for rejection. And that shiftmore than any hacktends to attract better matches.