It can be hard to stand out on dating apps, especially highly popular ones like Bumble. Many users try using paid subscriptions, hoping the unlocked features will lead to greater dating success.
Bumble Spotlights are one of these features, and they’re intended to give your profile the greatest possible visibility. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Bumble Spotlights–what they are, how they work, and how to time them to up your swipe game.
A Bumble Spotlight is a lot like a Tinder Boost. It highlights your profile for thirty minutes, making it so that local singles on Bumble are on the app, your profile will be among the first they see.
Similar to how a Tinder Boost works, Bumble’s Spotlight feature highlights your profile for a full 30 minutes. So when singles in your area fire up Bumble, they’ll find your profile front and center. And don’t worry about appearing overeager: While you’ll be aware that you’re using a Spotlight, the other people on Bumble won’t.
But not all Spotlights are created equal. Certain times of day, based on when Bumble activity reaches its height, work best for using a Spotlight.
Bumble Boost is a subscription you can purchase. Compared to the free version of Bumble, it comes with a range of parks, including these six features:
Bumble Spotlight, as mentioned above, is one of the premium features you can unlock when you purchase Bumble Boost. But Bumble Spotlight isn’t only for Bumble Boost users. You can purchase Bumble Spotlights whenever you want to elevate your profile’s exposure for a 30-minute window of time. When you purchase a Spotlight, your profile moves to the front of the queue, and local Bumble users will be much more likely to see it.
So, now that you know what Spotlights are, let’s take a look at the best times to use them.
The best time to use a Spotlight varies depending on whether you’re using it on a weekday or over the weekend. Bumble actually published the best Spotlight times per day, using internal data.
It’s not hard to discern the pattern here. During the week, Spotlights work better later in the evening, after folks are home from work. On the weekend, aim for a little earlier in the afternoon.
Just as the day of the week matters for optimizing your Bumble Spotlight, the time of day matters, too. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re using a Spotlight in the morning, you’re doing it wrong. Regardless of the day of the week, mornings are never a peak time.
During the week, as seen above, peak hours are invariably after 5 p.m., with slight variations based on which day of the week it is. On the weekend, start earlier, between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., and don’t start one after 5 p.m.
You should also be mindful of the weather. When the weather is rough outside, people spend more time inside on their dating apps. It’s always good to use a Spotlight when you’re sure more people will be active.
When you use a boost on Hinge, it increases your profile visibility within a specific time frame. When you use Bumble Spotlight, on the other hand, your profile is moved to the top of the queue for a 30-minute window.
Bumble Spotlights cost a little less than boosts on Hinge, but they last for a shorter duration. That said, you can tack on extra time to your Bumble Spotlights by paying more.
While Bumble’s data is helpful, you should also assess your own experience. In your locale, people might use Bumble earlier or later than the average Bumble user. Keep track of your own engagement metrics, and make adjustments based on what works best for you and your area.
Using the available evidence–both from your own experience and from the stats Bumble publishes–you can avoid common pitfalls for Bumble users.
Once you have identified a low-traffic time, be sure not to use your Spotlight during that time. You’ll only be wasting time and money! Especially avoid using a Spotlight early in the morning or late at night.
It’s possible to have too much of a good thing, so be sure to balance your Spotlight use with organic activity. If you make constant use of Spotlights, you’re not only spending money; you’re almost sure to get diminishing returns.
Spotlights don’t magically attract more matches. Even if you’re using Spotlights, the quality of your profile matters. Make sure to have a great profile pic and a compelling bio–and make sure it’s all authentically you.
It also matters how quickly you engage with your new match. Remember, on Bumble, new matches disappear in a day. So, don’t wait! The sooner you reach out after matching, the more likely you are to enjoy a conversation with your new match.
For more on how to create the perfect Bumble profile, read our full article.
In conclusion, Spotlights can help get your profile in front of more people, but you should use them wisely. The time of day matters, the day of the week matters–even the weather outside matters. Using a Spotlight during a period of peak activity gives you a better chance at success.
But above all, it’s important to keep trying. Experiment with timing a bit. Update your profile, and reach out to the matches you do have. A real connection is out there waiting for you!
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