How to Get More Likes on Bumble For Guys (2026 Guide)

In 2026, the digital dating landscape is more crowded than ever, making the swipe-and-scroll mechanic the primary gateway to meeting someone special in real life. Because the ultimate goal of online dating is to transition from the screen to a face-to-face date, mastering the mechanics of the app is vital. Specifically, learning how to get more likes on bumble is the first step toward building a meaningful connection.

While "right-swiping" has become part of our common vocabulary, the concept of a "like" is the actual engine behind your matches. Perhaps you have already experimented with Hinge's likes and understand the basic flow. Regardless of the interface, a like is your digital signal to another user that you’re interested in their profile and ready to move beyond a simple thumbnail.

If you have previously struggled with no matches on Tinder, Bumble offers a refreshing alternative with its unique communication dynamics. However, the app comes with its own set of nuances. Navigating the platform’s limitations, such as the daily cap on likes, can be a major hurdle if you don't have a solid strategy in place.

In this guide, we will break down exactly how likes function, your daily swipe limits, and whether you should reset your bumble account to refresh your visibility. We’ll also evaluate if a premium subscription is worth the cost, provide engaging questions to ask on Bumble, and share examples of funny bumble bios that stand out in 2026.

For those looking to skip the visual bias, Bumble Speed Dating remains a top feature, allowing you to chat for three minutes before photos are revealed.

If you want to skip the guesswork and optimize your profile immediately, ROAST can help. Their service uses data-driven insights and AI analysis to refine your photos and bio, ensuring your profile performs at its peak.

Why Getting More Likes on Bumble is Important

On Bumble, likes are more than just ego boosts; they are the key to visibility. When you receive frequent likes, the bumble algorithm flags your profile as high-quality, prioritizing you in the stack so more women see you first. Essentially, a high like-to-swipe ratio signals the system to keep you at the front of the line, creating more opportunities for meaningful connections.

Before planning dates, ensure your Bumble profile is set up and optimized for engagement. To master these signals, try ROAST. Using real human advice and AI learning, they polish your profile to help you land more matches in 2026.

How To Get More Likes on Bumble: 10 Profile Tips for Guys

On most dating apps, anyone can start a conversation and break the ice. But with Bumble, women have to make the first move. This shift in power means your profile isn't just a digital business card—it is your only tool for convincing her that you are worth that opening message. In 2026, the competition is higher than ever, so your profile needs to be optimized for the algorithm and the human eye. If you're serious about improving your dating results, get an expert profile review to ensure you're making the best impression.

1. Nail Your Profile Picture

Nailing your profile picture is roughly 80% of the job. If your lead image doesn't stop the scroll, the rest of your profile won't even be seen. You want to present the most attractive, high-quality version of yourself without looking like you’re trying too hard.

• Use clear, high-resolution photos: Blurry or pixelated shots from three years ago won't cut it. Use a strong portrait photo where your face is clearly visible in natural lighting.
• The "First Photo" rule: Your first photo should be a solo shot. If you have too many group photos, a woman won't spend time guessing which one you are—she will simply swipe left.
• Eye contact is key: Avoid hiding behind sunglasses or hats in your primary photo. Showing your eyes builds an immediate sense of trust and connection.
• Flash a real smile: Photos of you smiling make you appear approachable and confident. In the 2026 dating landscape, "mysterious and moody" is out; "friendly and stable" is in.

If you aren't sure which photo is your strongest, there are tools designed to take the guesswork out of the process. ROAST uses an AI trained on years of dating app data to analyze your photos against what the current algorithm prefers. It’s a great way to ensure your profile stands out. You can get a professional review from ROAST to maximize your success rate.

2. Leverage Bumble Prompts for Engagement

Your bio is important, but bumble prompts are the real secret weapon for getting more likes and better conversations. These are short, pre-set questions you answer to give potential matches a "hook" to start a conversation. Since women have to message first, you need to make it as easy as possible for them.

Instead of generic answers like "I love food," try to be specific. If you use the "My third-grade teacher described me as..." prompt, give an answer that shows off your humor or a unique personality trait. A well-placed prompt can be the difference between a match that sits in your queue and a match that sends a message within minutes.

3. Niche Down for Quality Matches

A common mistake guys make is trying to appeal to every single woman on the app. This usually results in a generic profile that appeals to no one. Instead, define the "vibe" you want to project. Are you the outdoorsy adventurer, the high-achieving professional, or the creative musician?

By curating your photos and text to attract a specific type of person, you may see fewer total likes, but the likes you do get will be from women you actually want to meet. If you’re looking for a serious relationship, don't be afraid to state that. Authenticity is a magnet for high-quality matches.

4. Ditch the Selfies

Too many selfies will almost always have a negative impact on your match rate. In 2026, selfies—especially gym mirror shots or car selfies—are often perceived as low-effort or vain. Women generally prefer photos that feel natural and "in the moment."

Instead of a selfie, use photos taken by friends or even a tripod. These photos provide a "third-person perspective," showing what it’s actually like to hang out with you. If you must use a selfie, keep it to a maximum of one, and make sure it’s in an interesting location that says something about your lifestyle.

5. Master the Use of Bumble Spotlight

If you feel like your profile is great but you're still not getting seen, it might be a visibility issue. This is where bumble spotlight comes in. This feature pushes your profile to the front of the "stack" for 30 to 150 minutes, making you the first person women see when they open the app.

To get the most out of a spotlight, timing is everything. Using it at 10 AM on a Tuesday is a waste. Instead, activate it during peak hours—typically Sunday evenings between 7 PM and 10 PM. This is when the highest volume of users is active, giving you the maximum return on your investment.

6. Stand Out with Bumble Compliments

One of the most effective ways to break through the noise is by using bumble compliments. This feature allows you to send a short message (up to 150 characters) to a potential match before you’ve even swiped right on each other.

The compliment is attached to a specific part of her profile—either a photo or a prompt. This shows you’ve actually read her profile and aren't just mass-swiping. A thoughtful, funny, or observant compliment significantly increases the chances of her swiping right on you, as it proves you are a high-effort communicator.

7. Be Active but Intentional

The Bumble algorithm rewards active users. If you haven't opened the app in a week, your profile will naturally drop in the rankings. However, you should avoid "swiping frenzy" behavior. If you swipe right on every single profile, the app may flag you as a bot or a low-quality user and limit your reach.

Find a balance by being selective. Take a second to look at the profile before swiping. Not only does this keep your internal "rating" high, but it also ensures your match queue isn't filled with people you aren't actually interested in meeting.

8. Expand Your Filters

If your match count is low, you might be accidentally filtering out great people. Go into your settings and experiment with your search radius and age range. Sometimes increasing your radius by just 5 or 10 miles can unlock a completely different pool of users. Similarly, being too rigid with age filters can limit your options significantly. Stay flexible and let the chemistry happen naturally.

9. Complete Your Profile 100%

An incomplete profile is a major red flag. In 2026, users are wary of "catfish" or low-effort accounts. Filling out every section—including your height, exercise habits, and what you’re looking for—shows that you are a real person who is serious about the process. It also gives the algorithm more data to help pair you with compatible people.

10. Sync Your Social Proof

Connecting your Instagram or Spotify accounts is an easy way to add depth to your profile without taking up space in your bio. Instagram allows women to see more "real-life" photos of you, while Spotify shows off your music taste—a classic conversation starter.

If you’re still struggling to find the right words for your bio or the right photos for your deck, don’t leave it to chance. The experts at ROAST have analyzed thousands of successful profiles and can tell you exactly what is working in 2026. Consult ROAST today to optimize your profile and start getting the matches you deserve.

How many Bumble likes do you get per day?

If you’re using the free version of Bumble in 2026, you are limited to 25 likes per day. Bumble’s official stance is that this cap encourages intentional browsing rather than mindless swiping. They believe focused interactions lead to better relationships, and managing more than two dozen new connections daily is a challenge even for the most active users.

If 25 swipes isn't enough, you’ll need to explore the app's paid tiers. Upgrading to bumble boost or bumble premium is the most direct way to bypass these daily restrictions. While bumble boost provides you with unlimited likes and the ability to backtrack on accidental left swipes, bumble premium offers the full experience, including access to your Beeline to see who has already swiped right on you.

Remember, increasing your swipe limit is just one part of how to get more likes on bumble. Your visibility is heavily influenced by your profile quality and match rate. To ensure your swipes actually turn into conversations, ROAST can help you build an optimized profile. Their expert feedback ensures you attract high-quality interest, so you can spend less time swiping and more time dating.

When do Bumble likes reset?

If you’re using the free version of Bumble in 2026, your daily likes reset every 24 hours on a rolling basis. Unlike some apps that refresh at a static time like midnight, Bumble’s countdown is tied directly to your personal activity. The clock starts the exact second you hit the limit and see the "out of swipes" screen. You’ll then have to wait a full 24 hours from that specific timestamp before your likes are restored and you can start engaging again.

While waiting a full day might seem frustrating, it is actually a good time to step back. Most users aren't on the app around the clock anyway; between sleeping, working, and living your life, that 24-hour window usually just means you’ll be ready to go by the same time the following evening when you would naturally pick up your phone.

However, it’s important to realize that your swiping habits during your active hours significantly impact your success. In 2026, the Bumble algorithm is more sophisticated than ever. If you engage in mass swiping—indiscriminately right-swiping on every profile without looking—the app will flag your behavior as low-quality or bot-like. This doesn't just exhaust your likes faster; it actively hurts your profile visibility. When the algorithm sees poor swiping habits, it pushes your profile to the bottom of the stack, making it much harder to get matches.

To truly master how to get more likes on bumble, you need to be intentional. Selective swiping tells the algorithm you’re a real person with specific tastes, which helps it show your profile to the most compatible users.

Make the most of your limited swipes by ensuring your profile is optimized. There’s no point in waiting 24 hours for a refresh if your photos aren't doing the work. ROAST can help you refine your presentation. They provide data-driven feedback on your pictures and bio to ensure you look your best. Start by taking their short quiz.

Even if you upgrade to a premium account for unlimited swipes, quality still beats quantity. No one can manage dozens of conversations at once effectively. By maintaining healthy swiping habits and focusing on profiles you genuinely like, you protect your visibility and improve your overall match quality.

If you want more certainty, the team at ROAST has analyzed what works in the current dating landscape. Consult their expertise to boost your profile and get more likes on Bumble today with ROAST.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bumble likes do you get a day?

Bumble provides free users with approximately 25 likes every 24 hours in 2026. This daily limit is a rolling window, meaning your likes refresh exactly 24 hours after each individual swipe rather than all at once at midnight. If you find yourself hitting this wall frequently, you can opt for a Bumble Premium or Premium+ subscription to unlock unlimited likes and swipe without restrictions.

Is there a way to get more likes on Bumble?

If you really want to up your game, turn on Bumble's Best Photo feature. This feature ascertains which of your first three Bumble profile photos is more likely to get right swipes—or likes—and then puts that photo at the top of your profile to ensure you are making the best possible first impression. Beyond using this automated tool, you can increase your visibility by using a Bumble Spotlight during peak evening hours, which pushes your profile to the front of the stack for 30 minutes.

Why am I not getting likes in Bumble?

You are likely not getting likes on Bumble because your profile lacks the high-quality visual data or "Verified" status that the 2026 algorithm requires to prioritize your account. Common issues include using group photos where you aren't easily identified, having a bio that is too brief, or setting your distance and age filters so narrow that you have exhausted the local pool of active users. To fix this, ensure you have at least four clear photos, fill out every Profile Prompt to show off your personality, and keep your account active by swiping and messaging daily so the system continues to show your profile to others.

Conclusion

Putting It All Together

Boosting your match rate in 2026 requires more than just a quick selfie and a basic bio. By focusing on the strategies we’ve discussed—optimizing your photo gallery, writing an engaging profile, and utilizing features like Compliments—you are already ahead of most guys on the app. The secret to mastering how to get more likes on bumble is to show, not just tell, who you are through a mix of high-quality visuals and a personality-driven narrative. For immediate results and a profile that truly stands out, get your dating profile reviewed by experts.

Your Final Game Plan

If you are looking for immediate results, start with one simple change: swap your first photo for a clear, high-resolution portrait. From there, refine your prompts to spark easier conversations. Consistency is your best friend in the current dating landscape, so stay active and engage with the community genuinely. Success on Bumble isn't about gaming the system; it’s about presenting the best version of yourself to the right people. Take these tips, refresh your profile today, and get ready to see your queue start filling up.