Bumble develops an AI dating app using attachment styles to foster deeper matches, with a limited beta planned for this autumn.
Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd is spearheading the development of an AI-powered dating app that prioritises users’ psychological attachment styles over photos and basic demographics. The app — built as a large language model and scheduled for a limited beta this autumn — aims to alleviate “swipe fatigue” by fostering emotionally informed matches and even serving as a dating concierge.
The new platform categorises users into four attachment styles — anxious, avoidant, disorganised, and secure — following guided sessions about past relationships and dating history. Matches are recommended based on psychological compatibility rather than superficial cues.
Beyond matchmaking, the AI is designed to take practical steps for users: creating personalised profiles, recommending compatible partners, and even arranging date reservations. The company positions the product as “the world’s smartest and most emotionally intelligent matchmaker.”
The launch comes amid signs of strain in the dating app market. Bumble reported an 8.7% drop in paying users to 3.8 million in Q2 2025 and a 7.6% revenue decline to £194.5 million. Broader trends indicate younger users disengaging from swipe-driven apps: many cite superficiality, limited conversational follow-through, and general exhaustion with the format.
If the app succeeds in producing deeper matches, it could reinvigorate engagement and distinguish Bumble from competitors introducing incremental AI features. However, the company must persuade users to share sensitive relationship histories and trust algorithmic judgement.
The matchmaking engine is reportedly a conversational large language model that conducts interactive sessions to gather relationship-relevant data. Psychologists and relationship counsellors have been consulted to ground the algorithm in attachment theory.
Key unknowns include what data will be stored, how psychological labels are validated, and what safeguards will protect users from misclassification or algorithmic bias. Monetisation details — whether per-match fees, subscriptions, or hybrid models — have not been disclosed.
Other platforms have introduced AI photo-selection and conversation tools, but Bumble’s approach aims for greater psychological sophistication. Success depends on user uptake, perceived accuracy of psychological profiling, and regulatory or privacy scrutiny.
If the app improves match quality and user retention, it could reverse engagement declines. Conversely, missteps on privacy, explainability, or poor match outcomes could accelerate user attrition.
This development marks a promising shift towards evidence-based matchmaking, building on attachment theory pioneered by John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth, which explains how early experiences shape adult relationships. While it could reduce failed connections and boost satisfaction, concerns over data privacy in sharing relationship histories may arise, particularly amid growing AI ethics debates.
Looking ahead, if successful, this could inspire widespread adoption of psychology-driven features across apps, potentially increasing long-term relationship formation rates beyond the current 19% visual-based success metric, though real-world outcomes will depend on user adoption and algorithm accuracy.
Get FREE Optimization Consultation
Let's Grow Your App & Get Massive Traffic!
All content, layout and frame code of all ASOWorld blog sections belong to the original content and technical team, all reproduction and references need to indicate the source and link in the obvious position, otherwise legal responsibility will be pursued.
COVID-19 UPDATE 
