12 Best Ways to Respond to "Hey" on Bumble (and why they work)

Here’s something you should know: women like to be chased—always!

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Yep, even on Bumble where we’re supposed to make the first move.

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This might explain why you often get a low-effort “Hey”.

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It basically translates to: “I’m here, I kinda like you…now it’s up to you to make things happen!”.

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Kinda annoying, but girls will be girls.

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If you’re like most men and you’re struggling with how to respond to “Hey” on Bumble, I’ve got you covered.

Here are 12 Best Ways to Respond to "Hey" on Bumble, according to dating experts:

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1. The “Cool as a Cucumber” Response

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Example: "Hey there! How's your day going?"

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Why this works: 

If someone sends a low-effort “hey”, they probably won’t mind if you skip the clever pick-up lines. In fact, chances are that they don’t like over-the-top responses to their “hey.” My best friend cringes when she gets a level 10 response to her level one. To her, it shows that a guy is desperate…and she loses interest right then and there.

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So if you see a “hey”, go ahead and just chat casually like you would with a friend.

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While yes, there’s a chance you’d be ghosted since according to a poll by QC only 36% prefer to receive a standard message, some dating experts think it’s actually a wise approach.

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Why?

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Because if they take a while to respond, then you can simply follow up with something more thoughtful! That way, you’d NOT turn off those who hate cheesy pick-up lines, and you still have a chance to make up for the ones who prefer more thoughtful responses.

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2. The “I Checked Your Bio” Response

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Example:

Their Bio: "Obsessed with 80s rock and vinyl records."
Your Response: "Hey! I have 'The Smiths' on vinyl?" 

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Why this works: 

On Bumble, women make the first move, but they actually don’t like it because deep down they want to be the chaseé, not the chaser. And so they often expect you to put in extra effort after they initiate contact.

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So how can you make them feel “chased?” 

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Since you can’t literally kiss the ground they walk on, the next best thing is to give them attention. You can do this by studying their bio and mentioning something specific about it.

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Pro tip: Look for shared interests to help establish a connection. Remember the song “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”? Yeah, it could be as simple as that!

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3. The “Proust Questionnaire” Response

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Example: "Hey! What's your idea of perfect happiness?"

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Why this works: 

Asking open-ended questions like those in the famous Proust Questionnaire can spark an instant connection. They encourage you and your match to share more intimate details—your thoughts, feelings, and personalities. And so if you’re looking for a very strong connection, this is the way to go!

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My guy friend used to ask this question often when he was still a Bumble regular. While some matches ghosted him (perhaps they weren’t into deep convos, can’t blame them), my friend reported that those who responded to these types of questions were often the women he genuinely liked! 

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As a woman who’s looking for a soulmate, this is my favorite question on this list. It offers a glimpse into someone’s soul, and I need to know I connect with someone on that level before even considering a meet-up.

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4. The “I’m Just Here to Make You Laugh” Response

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Example: “I’d say God bless you, but it looks like he already did.” 

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Why this works: 

I only meet up with men who can make me laugh, and I know I’m not alone! Many women consider a good sense of humor as one of the top qualities they look for in a partner.

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According to a study, it’s because humor is associated with other desirable traits like intelligence, creativity, problem-solving skills, etc.

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In the world of online dating, this holds true as well. A Tinder study shows that in general, people love getting cheesy pick-up lines, with 77% of the respondents liking them.

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So go ahead and be as corny as you can be!

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The cheesy line example above has the highest success rate out of all pick-up lines (80.4%), so if you want to use it, go ahead. 

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However, keep in mind that since it’s popular, someone else may have already used it on them. If you’re looking for something less common but just as corny, check out our list of corny pick-up lines!

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5. The “Snarky but Cute” Response

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Example: "Hey? Just 'hey'? Challenge accepted! Let's make this convo epic."

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Why this works: 

While not so common, some women really enjoy a snarky, playful sense of humor. 

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However, this approach carries some risk—some women might mistake your playful sense of humor for arrogance!

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To make sure you’re using this approach on the right person, vibe check their profile first! If they’re funny and sarcastic with their bio, chances are you’ll hit it off.

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6. The “I Think You’re Really Interesting” Response

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Example: “Hey! I see you like jazz. Do you play in a band? I noticed that photo of you holding a flute.”

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Why this works: 

This approach goes beyond the “I checked your bio” response. That’s because you’re not just paying attention to their simple likes and dislikes; you’re showing that you’re genuinely paying attention to WHO THEY ARE and what they do!

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This level of attention can spark a more meaningful conversation and make them feel special which, as we all know, is one of the best ways to win someone’s heart.

7. The “Sincere Compliment” Response

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Example: "Hey! I must say, I really like your style. You remind me of Twiggy."

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This is more direct than the “I think you’re interesting” response, making it one of the best answers to the dreaded “Hey” message on Bumble. 

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However, it’s very, very, very important to get it right!

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A compliment can be cute, but if it comes off as insincere or sleazy or if a woman is simply insecure, it could lead to you being ghosted!

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To be safe, compliment their style, their taste, or their pet. It’s best to avoid commenting on their body. So more “I like your art!” and less “You’re sexy!”.‍

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8. The “Pop Culture” Response

Example: "Hey! So, Team Marvel or Team DC?"

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Why this works: 

Talking about pop culture is a great way to keep a conversation going. 

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When I met my boyfriend online four years ago, I remember geeking out about movies late into the night during. Ahh, all those sleepless nights! That was fun.

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I enjoyed it so much because not only was I getting to know someone better, I was also learning a lot from our convos.

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9. The “Fun Fact” Response

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‍Example: "Hey! Did you know the shortest war in history was between Britain and Zanzibar in 1896? It lasted 38 minutes!”

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Why this works:

Of course you have to check their profile to see their interests before you even share a fun fact. Otherwise, you risk them rolling their eyes and moving on to the next match.

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Why do women love this? 

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Well, you’re doing two things with the approach: 1.) You’re showing them that you actually paid attention to their profile, and 2.) You’re teaching them about something. 

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And that, my friend, is almost guaranteed to get a reply!

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10. The “What If” Response

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Example: "Hey! If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would they be?"‍

Why this works:

I’m a big fan of hypothetical questions. I love inventing them, I love asking them, and I certainly love getting them. They spark creativity and it gives you a glimpse of someone’s personality. And you know what? All my female friends seem to enjoy answering them, too.

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So if you want to grab a girl’s attention on Bumble, try to ask a hypothetical question the moment you get a “hey”.

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11. The “Latest News” Response

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Example: “Hey, do you know that Radiohead will play again in 2025?”

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Why this works:

This approach isn’t for everyone, so make sure to tailor your response to the person you're messaging. Sending the same reply to everyone would come off as spammy and likely won't get you a response!

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To do it right, check their profile to see what interests them. 

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If they mention liking Radiohead, then your message is spot on. You don't even need to be a fan; you could say, “I’m not a huge fan—I only know a few songs. I just read about it in the news.” This keeps the conversation engaging.

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12. The “Bumble Experience” Response

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Example: "Hey! So…how’s your Bumble experience? Do you prefer it over OK Cupid?"

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‍Why this works:

What’s one of the most obvious things you have in common? 

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Well, that you’re both using Bumble, of course!

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Talking about it and about dating culture in general is a great way to have a genuine conversation. No need to fake it, you can just discuss what you both like and dislike about dating (online and IRL)! I personally like this because it feels authentic, and it also gives me a glimpse of their dating history and what they’re looking for.

Conclusion

While a simple "hey" might seem like a lackluster opener, a thoughtful response can lead to meaningful conversations.

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So don’t groan and grumble when you see another “hey” in your inbox. Instead, take it as a challenge!

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If you’re feeling stuck on what to say, simply choose from these ways to respond to "Hey" on Bumble. Just make sure you do your homework by reading their profile first.