Bumble, the women-first dating app, has uncovered a booming new trend of showcasing niche interests within the dating scene - from traditionalist hobbies discovered during lockdown, to unconventional competitive sports.
New Bumble research reveals that more than half (51%) of single people say that photos that reveal a skill for an interesting sport or activity would prompt them to strike up a conversation - whereas the least popular things to feature in profile photos are gym selfies (60%), pouty expressions (57%, photos that seem to crop out an ex (53%), and photos that reveal a messy bedroom (43%).
With hobby-based photos scoring highly, Bumble has identified a growing desire for partners who are unwaveringly passionate about their niche interests, with almost 1 in 4 (22%) saying that having a unique hobby trumps other desirability factors when it comes to finding the perfect partner, beating the likes of knowing multiple languages and being skilled at DIY. In fact, half of the UK agrees that having a passion for a sport or activity can even lead to being a more passionate partner in general.
Unusual “hipster hobbies” are no doubt having a moment; notably a viral TikTok star has recently charmed the nation with his love of locomotives, leading to a third (32%) of Gen Z more willing to date a trainspotter than before. Similarly, 29% of those aged 25-34 said that they’d like a partner who knits, after being inspired by one of the UK’s most famous Olympic divers.
In order to help those looking for love craft a dating profile that shows off their best selves, Bumble is launching Bumble Shoots, a unique photography experience for Bumble daters.
Bumble Shoots will be free of charge and offer daters the opportunity to be captured doing the activity they enjoy the most - whether that be striking an intricate yoga pose or pulling tricks on a skateboard.
This follows Bumble’s 2022 dating trends, which forecasted a boom in hobby-dating; a perfect opportunity for new daters to impress their partner with epic new skills learned in lockdown. What’s more, Bumble’s Interest Badge data reveals that sports fall within the top three most popular badges posted on profiles, revealing UK daters are keen on finding partners who share their passion for sport.
Plus, to champion all the niche activities that are currently trending, Bumble is launching seven new Interest Badges, available on the app soon; including trainspotting, knitting, parkour, frisbee, beekeeping, and more.
Bumble Sex & Relationships expert, Dr Caroline West says: “Dating, especially in the early days, is about finding things to connect over and understanding who the other person is. Your photos are your opportunity to reflect who you are, what you love, and what you're looking for. For example, a hiking photo can highlight your love of the outdoors, a particularly tough achievement or signal that you prioritise fitness and well-being. Representing what makes you happy is key to finding an authentic connection and by highlighting your unique interests and passions you give people an easy conversation starter”.
Naomi Walkland, Bumble’s Head of UK and Ireland, said: “So far, 2022 has been a year of discovery for dating, and we've seen that people on Bumble are looking at new ways to show who they are and how they date. We identified a trend of hobby-dating earlier this year and have now added new interesting sports and passions badges on the app, including trainspotting and knitting which are new hobbies we've seen emerge from the pandemic. People on Bumble can still pick from old favourites, like skateboarding, that speak to the return of millennial culture. By launching new badges we’re hopeful that people on Bumble will feel empowered to show off even their quirkiest interests”.
