Q1 2026 Bumble Inc Earnings Call

May 5, 2026

Speaker #1: Hello everyone, thank you for joining us and welcome to Bumble First Quarter 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us, welcome to Bumble Q1 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Will Tavares, Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Operator: Hello, everyone. Thank you for joining us and welcome to Bumble Q1 2026 Financial Results Conference Call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. I will now hand the conference over to Will Taveras, Head of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star 1 again. I will now hand the conference over to Will Tavares, Head of Investor Relations.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you for joining us to discuss Bumble's first quarter 2026 financial results. With me today are Bumble's founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe Hurd, and CFO, Kevin Cook.

Will Tavares: Thank you for joining us to discuss Bumble's Q1 2026 financial results. With me today are Bumble's Founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, and CFO, Kevin Cook. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that certain statements made on this call today are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and reflect our current expectations based on our beliefs, assumptions, and information currently available to us. Although we believe these expectations are reasonable, we undertake no obligation to revise any statement to reflect changes that occur after this call. Descriptions of factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in today's earnings press release and our periodic filings with the SEC. During the call, we also refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Will Taveras: Thank you for joining us to discuss Bumble's Q1 2026 financial results. With me today are Bumble's Founder and CEO, Whitney Wolfe Herd, and CFO, Kevin Cook. Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that certain statements made on this call today are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and reflect our current expectations based on our beliefs, assumptions, and information currently available to us.

Speaker #2: Before we begin, I'd like to remind everyone that certain statements made on this call today are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties and reflect our current expectations based on our beliefs, assumptions, and information currently available to us.

Speaker #2: Although we believe these expectations are reasonable, we undertake no obligation to revise any statement to reflect changes that occur after this call. Descriptions of factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in today's earnings press release and our periodic filings with the SEC.

Will Taveras: Although we believe these expectations are reasonable, we undertake no obligation to revise any statement to reflect changes that occur after this call. Descriptions of factors and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in today's earnings press release and our periodic filings with the SEC. During the call, we also refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures.

Speaker #2: During the call, we also refer to certain non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to and not as a substitute for or an isolation from our GAAP results.

Will Tavares: These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to and not as a substitute for or an isolation from our GAAP results. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are available in our earnings press release, which is available on the investor relations section of our website at ir.bumble.com. With that, I will turn the call over to Whitney.

Will Taveras: These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to and not as a substitute for or an isolation from our GAAP results. Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are available in our earnings press release, which is available on the investor relations section of our website at ir.bumble.com. With that, I will turn the call over to Whitney.

Speaker #2: Reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures are available in our earnings press release, which is available on the investor relations section of our website at ir.bumble.com.

Speaker #2: With that, I will turn the call over to Whitney.

Speaker #3: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us today. This is a period of real transformation at Bumble. Over the past few quarters, we have executed a deliberate reset of our member base.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Hello everyone, and thank you for joining us today. This is a period of real transformation at Bumble. Over the past few quarters, we have executed a deliberate reset of our member base. We made a clear choice to prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on well-intentioned, engaged members. That decision reduced overall scale, but meaningfully improved the health of our ecosystem. Importantly, this quality reset was not isolated. It was the first step in a broader strategy to reestablish Bumble as the brand that sets the pace for innovation in our category. We focused first on strengthening the underlying supply of our platform because scale without quality degrades the experience and stifles the outcome people are seeking: high-quality, relevant connections. At the same time, we continued rebuilding our technology and product platform to better serve our members' demand for real dates and in-real-life connections.

Speaker #3: We made a clear choice to prioritize quality over quantity, focusing on well-intentioned, engaged members. That decision reduced overall scale but meaningfully improved the health of our ecosystem.

Speaker #3: Importantly, this quality reset was not isolated. It was the first step in a broader strategy to reestablish Bumble as the brand that sets the pace for innovation in our category.

Speaker #3: We focused first on strengthening the underlying supply of our platform because scale without quality degrades the experience and stifles the outcome people are seeking.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We focused first on strengthening the underlying supply of our platform because scale without quality degrades the experience and stifles the outcome people are seeking: high-quality, relevant connections. At the same time, we continued rebuilding our technology and product platform to better serve our members' demand for real dates and in-real-life connections. These moves required short-term trade-offs, but they were deliberate and necessary. Now, with healthier supply and stabilization in our member base, we are entering the next phase, activation.

Speaker #3: High quality relevant connections. At the same time, we continued rebuilding our technology and product platform to better serve our members' demand for real dates and in-real-life connection.

Speaker #3: These moves required short-term trade-offs, but they were deliberate and necessary. Now, with healthier supply and stabilization in our member base, we are entering the next phase: activation.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: These moves required short-term trade-offs, but they were deliberate and necessary. Now, with healthier supply and stabilization in our member base, we are entering the next phase, activation. This phase is anchored by two innovation initiatives. First, the introduction of our new technology platform. Second, the launch of a fully reimagined experience for Bumble members, including a new interaction model and profile system. The new Bumble platform and experience will roll out over the balance of the year, beginning with the first stage of the new tech platform in the coming weeks. Our direct member engagement and our research, including our work with author and professor Dr. Arthur Brooks, reinforces a key insight. The biggest friction in dating today is not discovery. It is the gap between online interaction and real-world connection. People get stuck in that in-between. This is a central challenge faced by every scaled dating app.

Speaker #3: This phase is anchored by two innovation initiatives. First, the introduction of our new technology platform. Second, the launch of a fully reimagined experience for Bumble members.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: This phase is anchored by two innovation initiatives. First, the introduction of our new technology platform. Second, the launch of a fully reimagined experience for Bumble members, including a new interaction model and profile system. The new Bumble platform and experience will roll out over the balance of the year, beginning with the first stage of the new tech platform in the coming weeks. Our direct member engagement and our research, including our work with author and professor Dr. Arthur Brooks, reinforces a key insight.

Speaker #3: Including a new interaction model and profile system. The new Bumble platform and experience will roll out over the balance of the year. Beginning with the first stage of the new tech platform in the coming weeks.

Speaker #3: Our direct member engagement and our research, including our work with author and professor Dr. Arthur Brooks, reinforces a key insight. The biggest friction in dating today is not discovery.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: The biggest friction in dating today is not discovery. It is the gap between online interaction and real-world connection. People get stuck in that in-between. This is a central challenge faced by every scaled dating app. Everything we are building is designed to close that gap and drive real in-person dates between high-quality connections. Accelerating each member's progression towards finding that connection and getting out on a date is our priority. We've been doing foundational work on this problem ahead of introducing our new platform and reimagined experience.

Speaker #3: It is the gap between online interaction and real-world connection. People get stuck in that in-between. This is a central challenge faced by every scaled dating app.

Speaker #3: Everything we are building is designed to close that gap and drive real in-person dates between high-quality connections. Accelerating each member's progression towards finding that connection and getting out on a date is our priority.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Everything we are building is designed to close that gap and drive real in-person dates between high-quality connections. Accelerating each member's progression towards finding that connection and getting out on a date is our priority. We've been doing foundational work on this problem ahead of introducing our new platform and reimagined experience. We have improved profiles, strengthened intent signaling, enhanced safety, and built more dynamic onboarding. These changes have helped members show up better, even within the limits of our legacy systems. We are also continuing to improve the current Bumble experience by addressing core member pain points, improving recommendations, and enhancing usability. Early tests are showing promising results, including improvements in matching behavior and monetization trends, but results are expected to be relatively limited on the legacy tech stack. We have more to do here in the months ahead. What comes next will go much further.

Speaker #3: We've been doing foundational work on this problem ahead of introducing our new platform and reimagined experience. We have improved profiles, strengthened intent signaling, enhanced safety, and built more dynamic onboarding.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We have improved profiles, strengthened intent signaling, enhanced safety, and built more dynamic onboarding. These changes have helped members show up better, even within the limits of our legacy systems. We are also continuing to improve the current Bumble experience by addressing core member pain points, improving recommendations, and enhancing usability. Early tests are showing promising results, including improvements in matching behavior and monetization trends, but results are expected to be relatively limited on the legacy tech stack.

Speaker #3: These changes have helped members show up better. Even within the limits of our legacy systems. We are also continuing to improve the current Bumble experience.

Speaker #3: By addressing core member pain points, improving recommendations, and enhancing usability. Early tests are showing promising results, including improvements in matching behavior and monetization trends.

Speaker #3: But results are expected to be relatively limited on the legacy tech stack. We have more to do here in the months ahead. What comes next will go much further.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We have more to do here in the months ahead. What comes next will go much further. The innovation starts with our technology platform. As we shared last quarter, we have been actively rebuilding our new cloud-native, AI-enabled tech stack. This modern platform will allow us to move faster, iterate more efficiently, and begin to unlock entirely new product experiences. Today, making meaningful changes to our recommendation engine or introducing new features can take months. This has been a real constraint on the rate of innovation.

Speaker #3: The innovation starts with our technology platform. As we shared last quarter, we have been actively rebuilding our new cloud-native AI-enabled tech stack. This modern platform will allow us to move faster, iterate more efficiently, and begin to unlock entirely new product experiences.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: The innovation starts with our technology platform. As we shared last quarter, we have been actively rebuilding our new cloud-native, AI-enabled tech stack. This modern platform will allow us to move faster, iterate more efficiently, and begin to unlock entirely new product experiences. Today, making meaningful changes to our recommendation engine or introducing new features can take months. This has been a real constraint on the rate of innovation. Our new tech platform is expected to eliminate this constraint. As the platform rebuild nears completion, we are ramping development of the next-generation Bumble Date application, a merging of the new back end and the reimagined member experience, launching in select markets in Q4 of this year. Between now and then, elements of our new technology platform will begin powering a parallel roadmap of incremental improvements in the existing product.

Speaker #3: Today, making meaningful changes to our recommendation engine or introducing new features can take months. This has been a real constraint on the rate of innovation.

Speaker #3: Our new tech platform is expected to eliminate this constraint. As the platform rebuild nears completion, we are ramping development of the application, a merging of the new backend and the reimagined member experience, launching in select markets in Q4 of this year.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Our new tech platform is expected to eliminate this constraint. As the platform rebuild nears completion, we are ramping development of the next-generation Bumble Date application, a merging of the new back end and the reimagined member experience, launching in select markets in Q4 of this year. Between now and then, elements of our new technology platform will begin powering a parallel roadmap of incremental improvements in the existing product.

Speaker #3: Between now and then, elements of our new technology platform will begin powering a parallel roadmap of incremental improvements in the existing product. With our new app experience, the opportunity is not just to improve the current interaction model, but to evolve beyond it.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: With our new app experience, the opportunity is not just to improve the current interaction model, but to evolve beyond it. We are designing a system that shortens the distance between intent and outcome, eliminating the friction caused by multiple steps between interest and connection. Clearer signals drive more mutual engagement and faster progression towards in-real-life connection. Early reactions to this new model have been very positive. Our AI layer, Bee, is expected to play a key role in the reimagined experience. Testing Bee and onboarding new members has been especially encouraging, not just in Bee's effectiveness, but in members' willingness to engage deeply and share richer context about who they are and what they are looking for. Bee's ability to capture more signal and process information quickly improves our understanding of each member and will strengthen our recommendation engine.

Speaker #3: We are designing a system that shortens the distance between intent and outcome, eliminating the friction caused by multiple steps between interest and connection. Clearer signals drive more mutual engagement and faster progression towards in-real-life connection.

Speaker #3: Early reactions to this new model have been very positive. Our AI Layer B is expected to play a key role in the reimagined experience.

Speaker #3: Testing being onboarding new members has been especially encouraging, not just in B's effectiveness, but in members' willingness to engage deeply and share richer context about who they are and what they are looking for.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Testing Bee and onboarding new members has been especially encouraging, not just in Bee's effectiveness, but in members' willingness to engage deeply and share richer context about who they are and what they are looking for. Bee's ability to capture more signal and process information quickly improves our understanding of each member and will strengthen our recommendation engine. Onboarding is just the first step in how Bee will be used in the new experience.

Speaker #3: B's ability to capture more signal and process information quickly improves our understanding of each member and will strengthen our recommendation engine. Onboarding is just the first step in how B will be used in the new experience.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Onboarding is just the first step in how Bee will be used in the new experience. We also expect Bee to help facilitate connection and to suggest and plan real dates among other roles. Bee is a great example of what we can accomplish on the new modern tech stack and how AI will be an important catalyst for our business. It is important to note that we built Bee separate from the legacy system. I have said a lot here. Let me summarize. First, demand for love and human connection is as vital as ever before. We have done the heavy lifting to reset our business with healthy supply that is ready to engage. We are giving them the tools to show up authentically as their best selves. Next is our new platform, which will accelerate product innovation.

Speaker #3: We also expect B to help facilitate connection and to suggest and plan real dates among other roles. B is a great example of what we can accomplish on the new modern tech stack and how AI will be an important catalyst for our business.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We also expect Bee to help facilitate connection and to suggest and plan real dates among other roles. Bee is a great example of what we can accomplish on the new modern tech stack and how AI will be an important catalyst for our business. It is important to note that we built Bee separate from the legacy system. I have said a lot here. Let me summarize. First, demand for love and human connection is as vital as ever before. We have done the heavy lifting to reset our business with healthy supply that is ready to engage. We are giving them the tools to show up authentically as their best selves.

Speaker #3: It is important to note that we built B separate from the legacy system. I have said a lot here, so let me summarize. First, demand for love and human connection is as vital as ever before.

Speaker #3: We have done the heavy lifting to reset our business with healthy supply, that is ready to engage. We are giving them the tools to show up authentically.

Speaker #3: As their best selves. Next is our new platform. Which will accelerate product innovation. Right behind that will be an entirely transformed Bumble experience, which dramatically reduces friction and gets members to in-real-life connection faster.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Next is our new platform, which will accelerate product innovation. Right behind that will be an entirely transformed Bumble experience, which dramatically reduces friction and gets members to in-real-life connection faster. We believe this is our path to deliver what daters are seeking today. This is the path to restoring revenue growth, and we are already at work building the monetization model behind it. That is the core of the Bumble app transformation, but it's only part of the picture.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Right behind that will be an entirely transformed Bumble experience, which dramatically reduces friction and gets members to in-real-life connection faster. We believe this is our path to deliver what daters are seeking today. This is the path to restoring revenue growth, and we are already at work building the monetization model behind it. That is the core of the Bumble app transformation, but it's only part of the picture. Beyond dating, we are also investing in broader connection, which we see as both a critical need in the world and a competitive advantage for us. We have expanded groups on Bumble For Friends and are seeing strong early traction, with total group joins nearly doubling between December and March. This success is driven by Gen Z women who comprise the largest cohort on the platform, highlighting our opportunity with this core demographic.

Speaker #3: We believe this is our path to deliver what daters are seeking today. This is the path to restoring revenue growth, and we are already at work building the monetization model behind it.

Speaker #3: That is the core of the Bumble app transformation. But it's only part of the picture. Beyond dating, we are also investing in broader connection, which we see as both a critical need in the world and a competitive advantage for us.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Beyond dating, we are also investing in broader connection, which we see as both a critical need in the world and a competitive advantage for us. We have expanded groups on Bumble For Friends and are seeing strong early traction, with total group joins nearly doubling between December and March. This success is driven by Gen Z women who comprise the largest cohort on the platform, highlighting our opportunity with this core demographic. Overall, more than 80% of BFF members are women, reinforcing the durability of our overall brand.

Speaker #3: We have expanded groups on Bumble BFS. And are seeing strong early traction, with total group joins nearly doubling between December and March. This success is driven by Gen Z women who comprise the largest cohort on the platform.

Speaker #3: Highlighting our opportunity with this core demographic. Overall, more than 80% of BFS members are women, reinforcing the durability of our overall brand. We will continue to expand on group connections and in-real-life meeting for platonic purposes through BFS.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Overall, more than 80% of BFF members are women, reinforcing the durability of our overall brand. We will continue to expand on group connections and in-real-life meeting for platonic purposes through BFF, but we are also bullish on the opportunity of romance beyond one-to-one in terms of how people come together and meet for love. We are testing new ways to bring people together for both platonic and romantic purposes, including a new product beta launching next month, which we are super excited about. Across all of these efforts, our approach remains consistent: test, learn, iterate, and do it quickly. We are data-driven, member-obsessed, and more passionate about the opportunity and problem we are solving than ever before. In terms of timing, members will first experience the rollout of our new platform, delivering a faster and more reliable experience starting in the coming weeks from a back-end standpoint.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We will continue to expand on group connections and in-real-life meeting for platonic purposes through BFF, but we are also bullish on the opportunity of romance beyond one-to-one in terms of how people come together and meet for love. We are testing new ways to bring people together for both platonic and romantic purposes, including a new product beta launching next month, which we are super excited about. Across all of these efforts, our approach remains consistent: test, learn, iterate, and do it quickly.

Speaker #3: But we are also bullish on the opportunity of romance beyond one-to-one in terms of how people come together and meet for love. We are testing new ways to bring people together for both platonic and romantic purposes including a new product beta launching next month, which we are super excited about.

Speaker #3: Across all of these efforts, our approach remains consistent. Test, learn, iterate. And do it quickly. We are data-driven, member-obsessed, and more passionate about the opportunity and problem we are solving than ever before.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We are data-driven, member-obsessed, and more passionate about the opportunity and problem we are solving than ever before. In terms of timing, members will first experience the rollout of our new platform, delivering a faster and more reliable experience starting in the coming weeks from a back-end standpoint. From there, we expect to introduce the initial features of our new interaction model and profile. This is our big bang. It will start to roll out to select markets in Q4, backed by a 360 marketing campaign.

Speaker #3: In terms of timing, members will first experience the rollout of our new platform, delivering a faster and more reliable experience. Starting in the coming weeks, from a backend standpoint.

Speaker #3: From there, we expect to introduce the initial features of our new interaction model and profile. This is our big bang. It will start to roll out to select markets in Q4, backed by a 360 marketing campaign.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: From there, we expect to introduce the initial features of our new interaction model and profile. This is our big bang. It will start to roll out to select markets in Q4, backed by a 360 marketing campaign. We'll continue to refine the experience into 2027, including adding features like group dating and expanded access to Bee. Ahead of our upcoming unveil, we are continuing to deliver innovations in the current Bumble experience that helps members show up better, more confident, and ready to engage. Not all of these improvements will be immediately visible to members, but the critical signal enhancements they enable will drive more relevant connections on the back end. The UI/UX will be on our modernized back end, which will enable the rollout of our transformed experience later this year. As we execute this transformation, we remain disciplined.

Speaker #3: Then we'll continue to refine the experience into 2027. Including adding features like group dating and expanded access to B. Ahead of our upcoming unveil, we are continuing to deliver innovations in the current Bumble experience that help members show up better, more confident, and ready to engage.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We'll continue to refine the experience into 2027, including adding features like group dating and expanded access to Bee. Ahead of our upcoming unveil, we are continuing to deliver innovations in the current Bumble experience that helps members show up better, more confident, and ready to engage. Not all of these improvements will be immediately visible to members, but the critical signal enhancements they enable will drive more relevant connections on the back end.

Speaker #3: Not all of these improvements will be immediately visible to members, but the critical signal enhancements they enable will drive more relevant connections on the backend.

Speaker #3: And the UI/UX will be on our modernized backend, which will enable the rollout of our transformed experience later this year. As we execute this transformation, we remain disciplined.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: The UI/UX will be on our modernized back end, which will enable the rollout of our transformed experience later this year. As we execute this transformation, we remain disciplined. We delivered a strong Q1 compared to our expectations. We are managing our cost structure carefully while continuing to invest in product, technology, and selective marketing. Of note, we have reduced our performance marketing spend to less than 50% of pre-quality reset levels.

Speaker #3: We delivered a strong Q1 compared to our expectations, and we are managing our cost structure carefully while continuing to invest in product, technology, and selective marketing.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We delivered a strong Q1 compared to our expectations. We are managing our cost structure carefully while continuing to invest in product, technology, and selective marketing. Of note, we have reduced our performance marketing spend to less than 50% of pre-quality reset levels. We are starting to see the benefit of organic marketing again, including positive word of mouth now that we have improved the member base quality. Despite tech limitations, we've been able to drive meaningful improvements, which we believe signals the opportunity ahead with a modern tech stack in place. To close, we've been hard at work rebuilding our foundation. We are focused on translating that into a meaningfully better product experience, which members will start seeing in the coming months. We cannot wait to reignite our brand, product, and mission as we transform Bumble and our category.

Speaker #3: Of note, we have reduced our performance marketing spend to less than 50% of pre-quality reset levels. We are starting to see the benefit of organic marketing again, including positive word-of-mouth, now that we have improved the member base quality.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We are starting to see the benefit of organic marketing again, including positive word of mouth now that we have improved the member base quality. Despite tech limitations, we've been able to drive meaningful improvements, which we believe signals the opportunity ahead with a modern tech stack in place. To close, we've been hard at work rebuilding our foundation. We are focused on translating that into a meaningfully better product experience, which members will start seeing in the coming months. We cannot wait to reignite our brand, product, and mission as we transform Bumble and our category.

Speaker #3: Despite tech limitations, we've been able to drive meaningful improvements, which we believe signals the opportunity ahead with a modern tech stack in place. To close, we've been hard at work rebuilding our foundation.

Speaker #3: Now, we are focused on translating that into a meaningfully better product experience, which members will start seeing in the coming months. We cannot wait to reignite our brand, product, and mission as we transform Bumble and our category.

Speaker #3: We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead. Thank you so much for your time, and now I will turn it over to Kevin.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We look forward to sharing more in the months ahead. Thank you so much for your time, and now I will turn it over to Kevin.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Whitney, and hello, everyone. In the first quarter, we delivered results in line with our expectations as we move past our quality reset to focus on product and technology innovation.

Kevin Cook: Thank you, Whitney. Hello, everyone. In Q1, we delivered results in line with our expectations as we move past our quality reset to focus on product and technology innovation. As Whitney noted, we're seeing signs of stabilization in our member base as we enter the next phase of activation. I'll review our quarterly results before turning to our outlook. Unless otherwise noted, my comments are on a non-GAAP basis, and comparisons are year-over-year. Total revenue for Q1 was $212 million compared to $247 million in the year ago period. Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $9 million to revenue in the quarter. The loss of revenue from Fruitz and Official equate to approximately 1 percentage point of headwind in the quarter.

Speaker #1: As Whitney noted, we're seeing signs of stabilization in our member base as we enter the next phase of activation. I'll review our quarterly results before turning to our outlook.

Speaker #1: Unless otherwise noted, my comments are on a non-gap basis, and comparisons are year over year. Total revenue for the first quarter was $212 million, compared to $247 million in the year-ago period.

Speaker #1: Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $9 million to revenue in the quarter. The loss of revenue from fruits and official equate to approximately 1 percentage point of headwind in the quarter.

Kevin Cook: Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $9 million to revenue in the quarter. The loss of revenue from Fruitz and Official equate to approximately 1 percentage point of headwind in the quarter. Bumble app revenue was $173 million, compared to $202 million a year ago. Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $6 million to Bumble app revenue. Adjusted EBITDA was $83 million, representing a margin of 39%, compared to $64 million and 26% in the prior year period.

Speaker #1: Bumble app revenue was $173 million, compared to $202 million a year ago. Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $6 million to Bumble app revenue. Adjusted EBITDA was $83 million.

Kevin Cook: Bumble app revenue was $173 million, compared to $202 million a year ago. Foreign currency exchange rates contributed $6 million to Bumble app revenue. Adjusted EBITDA was $83 million, representing a margin of 39%, compared to $64 million and 26% in the prior year period. Higher Adjusted EBITDA despite year-over-year revenue decline is a function of how we have executed through our reset period, most notably with more intensive operating discipline and thoughtful marketing spend. Selling and marketing expense was approximately $26 million or 12% of revenue, compared to approximately $60 million or 24% of revenue in the prior year period. In addition to the reduced overall spend, we've increased our focus on lower cost and higher return organic and targeted marketing channels.

Speaker #1: Representing a margin of 39%, compared to $64 million. And 26% in the prior year period. Higher adjusted EBITDA, despite year-over-year revenue decline, is a function of how we have executed through our reset period.

Kevin Cook: Higher Adjusted EBITDA despite year-over-year revenue decline is a function of how we have executed through our reset period, most notably with more intensive operating discipline and thoughtful marketing spend. Selling and marketing expense was approximately $26 million or 12% of revenue, compared to approximately $60 million or 24% of revenue in the prior year period. In addition to the reduced overall spend, we've increased our focus on lower cost and higher return organic and targeted marketing channels.

Speaker #1: Most notably, with more intensive operating discipline, and thoughtful marketing spend. Selling and marketing expense was approximately $26 million, or 12% of revenue, compared to approximately $60 million, or 24% of revenue, in the prior year period.

Speaker #1: In addition to the reduced overall spend, we've increased our focus on lower cost and higher return organic, and targeted marketing channels. This strategy brings us back to our historical marketing strengths, which we believe also supports long-term brand health.

Kevin Cook: This strategy brings us back to our historical marketing strengths, which we believe also supports long-term brand health. Product development expense was approximately $25 million or 12% of revenue, compared to approximately $24 million and 10% in the prior year period. Our product development spending is focused on core product innovation and platform modernization. General and administrative expense was approximately $24 million or 11% of revenue, compared to approximately $26 million or 10% of revenue in the prior year period. I'll now turn to the balance sheet and cash flows. For the quarter, we generated $77 million in operating cash flow, $74 million of which converted into free cash flow. We ended the quarter with $246 million of cash and cash equivalents and continue to generate substantial cash flow while maintaining a strong liquidity position.

Speaker #1: Product development expense was approximately $25 million, or 12% of revenue, compared to approximately $24 million and 10% in the prior year period. Our product development spending is focused on core product innovation and platform modernization.

Speaker #1: General and administrative expense was approximately $24 million, or 11% of revenue, compared to approximately $26 million, or 10% of revenue, in the prior year period.

Speaker #1: I'll now turn to the balance sheet and cash flows. For the quarter, we generated $77 million in operating cash flow, $74 million of which converted into free cash flow.

Kevin Cook: I'll now turn to the balance sheet and cash flows. For the quarter, we generated $77 million in operating cash flow, $74 million of which converted into free cash flow. We ended the quarter with $246 million of cash and cash equivalents and continue to generate substantial cash flow while maintaining a strong liquidity position. In April, we completed the refinancing of our term loan, as had been previously announced. Consistent with our plans to continue deleveraging, we paid down $114 million of debt in connection with the transaction.

Speaker #1: We ended the quarter with $246 million of cash and cash equivalents, and continued to generate substantial cash flow while maintaining a strong liquidity position.

Speaker #1: In April, we completed the refinancing of our term loan as had been previously announced. Consistent with our plans to continue deleveraging, we paid down $114 million of debt, in connection with the transaction.

Kevin Cook: In April, we completed the refinancing of our term loan, as had been previously announced. Consistent with our plans to continue deleveraging, we paid down $114 million of debt in connection with the transaction. Pro forma for the refinancing, we had $150 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of April. Turning to the outlook. As we move beyond the quality reset, our focus is now on activating our higher quality member base through product innovation and improved member experience. This transition will unfold over the balance of the year as we introduce our new tech platform and accelerate the introduction of new member experiences. While this work will take time to be reflected in our financials, we believe it best positions us to drive more durable engagement and monetization.

Speaker #1: Pro forma for the refinancing, we had $150 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of April. Turning to the outlook, as we move beyond the quality reset, our focus is now on activating our higher-quality member base through product innovation and improved member experience.

Kevin Cook: Pro forma for the refinancing, we had $150 million of cash and cash equivalents at the end of April. Turning to the outlook. As we move beyond the quality reset, our focus is now on activating our higher quality member base through product innovation and improved member experience. This transition will unfold over the balance of the year as we introduce our new tech platform and accelerate the introduction of new member experiences. While this work will take time to be reflected in our financials, we believe it best positions us to drive more durable engagement and monetization.

Speaker #1: This transition will unfold over the balance of the year, as we introduce our new tech platform and accelerate the introduction of new member experiences.

Speaker #1: While this work will take time to be reflected in our financials, we believe it best positions us to drive more durable engagement and monetization.

Speaker #1: For the second quarter, we expect total revenue in the range of $205 million, to $213 million, including Bumble app revenue of $168 million, to $174 million, and adjusted EBITDA of $65 million, to $70 million.

Kevin Cook: For Q2, we expect total revenue in the range of $205 million to $213 million, including Bumble app revenue of $168 million to $174 million and Adjusted EBITDA of $65 million to $70 million, representing a margin of approximately 32% at the midpoint. As we move through 2026, we expect revenue headwinds to moderate as the most acute effects of the quality reset dissipate and we transition from stabilizing to rebuilding the member base. Adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to normalize over the remainder of 2026 as we increase investment in technology and talent to modernize our platform and drive product innovation. We also plan to increase marketing spend to support our innovation initiatives, organic member growth, and brand strength.

Speaker #1: Representing a margin of approximately 32% at the midpoint. As we move through 2026, we expect revenue headwinds to moderate, as the most acute effects of the quality reset dissipate, and we transition from stabilizing to rebuilding the member base.

Speaker #1: Adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to normalize over the remainder of 2026, as we increase investment in technology and talent to modernize our platform and drive product innovation.

Kevin Cook: Adjusted EBITDA margins are expected to normalize over the remainder of 2026 as we increase investment in technology and talent to modernize our platform and drive product innovation. We also plan to increase marketing spend to support our innovation initiatives, organic member growth, and brand strength.

Speaker #1: We also plan to increase marketing spend to support our innovation initiatives, organic member growth, and brand strength. In closing, we've made meaningful progress on our transformation and are now focused on executing the next phase of the business.

Kevin Cook: In closing, we've made meaningful progress on our transformation and are now focused on executing the next phase of the business, repairing a healthier, more engaged member base with a modernized platform that will enable faster product innovation and more effective revenue generation over time. Operator, let's take some questions, please.

Speaker #1: Repairing a healthier, more engaged member base with a modernized platform that will enable faster product innovation and more effective revenue generation over time. Operator, let's take some questions, please.

Speaker #2: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Your first question comes from the line of Eric Sheridan from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one to raise your hand. To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device. Your first question comes from the line of Eric Sheridan from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, press star one again. We ask that you pick up your handset when asking a question, and if you are muted locally, please remember to unmute your device.

Speaker #2: Your first question comes from the line of Eric Sheridan from Goldman Sachs. Your line is open. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thanks so much for taking the questions. Whitney, I want to come back to some of the comments you made in the prepared remarks and go a little bit deeper.

Eric Sheridan: Thanks so much for taking the questions. Whitney, I wanted to come back to some of the comments you made in your prepared remarks and go a little bit deeper. When you think about the tech stack, and how it will iterate going forward, I wanted to ask a two-parter. One, how should we be thinking about the velocity of innovation and your speed in terms of going to market that will result from that as we continue to monitor the business from the outside in? What do you think about your opportunity around personalization and how much of it will be either AI-driven or non-AI-driven when you think about what the tech stack might enable you to do in the years ahead? Thanks so much.

Speaker #3: When you think about the tech stack, and how it will iterate going forward, I wanted to ask a two-parter. One, how should we be thinking about the velocity of innovation and your speed in terms of going to market that will result from that as we continue to monitor the business from the outside in?

Speaker #3: And what do you think about your opportunity around personalization and how much of it will be either AI-driven or non-AI-driven when you think about what the tech stack might enable you to do in the years ahead?

Eric Sheridan: What do you think about your opportunity around personalization and how much of it will be either AI-driven or non-AI-driven when you think about what the tech stack might enable you to do in the years ahead? Thanks so much.

Speaker #3: Thanks so much.

Speaker #4: Hey, thank you, Eric. Great to hear from you. So I'll take this piece by piece. I think before we talk about the actual incredible opportunity we have ahead with this new tech stack, just to double down on a couple of the prepared remarks I had around what we've been dealing with.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Hey, thank you, Eric. Great to hear from you. I'll take this piece by piece. I think before we talk about the actual incredible opportunity we have ahead with this new tech stack, just to double down on a couple of the prepared remarks I had around what we've been dealing with. We have had extraordinary tech debt. What do I mean by this? We have frankly not been able to make the changes that both our members are wanting, commanding, needing, demanding, but that we have wanted to roll out. You know, all of the results you've seen to date are done on the back end of a very legacy system, which really does inhibit the second part of your question, which I'm going to get to in a moment, the personalization of the experience. Let's talk about velocity, my favorite word.

Speaker #4: We have had extraordinary tech debt. What do I mean by this? We have frankly not been able to make the changes that both our members are wanting, commanding, needing, demanding, but that we have wanted to roll out.

Speaker #4: So all of the results you've seen to date are done on the back end of a very legacy system, which really does inhibit the second part of your question, which I'm going to get to in a moment, the personalization of the experience.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: You know, all of the results you've seen to date are done on the back end of a very legacy system, which really does inhibit the second part of your question, which I'm going to get to in a moment, the personalization of the experience. Let's talk about velocity, my favorite word. Velocity is going to go up in such a way with this new tech stack. As an example, if we wanted to make a change to the recommendation engine right now, which is the algorithm, essentially, right? It could take us months. It's extremely clunky.

Speaker #4: So let's talk about velocity. My favorite word. Velocity is going to go up in such a way with this new tech stack. So as an example, if we wanted to make a change to the recommendation engine right now, which is the algorithm essentially, right?

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Velocity is going to go up in such a way with this new tech stack. As an example, if we wanted to make a change to the recommendation engine right now, which is the algorithm, essentially, right? It could take us months. It's extremely clunky. It's extremely cumbersome. It's extremely difficult to navigate. On this new tech stack, we're talking we can put tests in immediately. We can be monitoring in real time. We can have A/B testing going at, you know, levels we've never been able to access before. Frankly, we can make changes in a matter of days or weeks versus months or even, frankly, years.

Speaker #4: It could take us months. It's extremely clunky. It's extremely cumbersome. It's extremely difficult to navigate. On this new tech stack, we're talking we can put tests in immediately.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: It's extremely cumbersome. It's extremely difficult to navigate. On this new tech stack, we're talking we can put tests in immediately. We can be monitoring in real time. We can have A/B testing going at, you know, levels we've never been able to access before. Frankly, we can make changes in a matter of days or weeks versus months or even, frankly, years.

Speaker #4: We can be monitoring in real time. We can have A/B testing going at levels we've never been able to access before. And frankly, we can make changes in a matter of days or weeks versus months or even frankly years.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: When you really start to wrap your head around the opportunity there, I think you can understand why I am personally so excited about this new system finally hitting members backends here in the back end of the system here in the coming weeks. This is the name of the game. What's the one reason why people come to a product like ours, particularly Bumble? They're not coming for entertainment. They're not coming to, you know, use it like a social media platform. They're coming to meet people. If you want to meet someone, the baseline is you have to be shown people you want to see and that you want to meet.

Speaker #4: So when you really start to wrap your head around the opportunity there, I think you can understand why I am personally so excited about this new system finally getting members back ends here in the back end of the system here in the coming weeks.

Speaker #4: Let's talk about personalization. So this is the name of the game. What's the one reason why people come to a product like ours, particularly Bumble?

Speaker #4: They're not coming for entertainment. They're not coming to use it like a social media platform. They're coming to meet people. And if you want to meet someone, the baseline, if you have to you have to be showing people you want to see and that you want to meet.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: If you want to meet someone, the baseline is you have to be shown people you want to see and that you want to meet. What we're able to do with this new system and this next-gen recommendation engine, which is, you know, kind of goes side by side with the new tech infrastructure, we will be able to personalize the system in ways that we've just frankly never had access to. It's not lack of innovation, it's not lack of roadmap, it's not lack of talent. It has been lack of technical capability. You will see extreme personalization.

Speaker #4: And so, what we're able to do with this new system and this next-gen recommendation engine—which kind of goes side by side with the new legacy, with the new tech infrastructure—is, we will be able to personalize the system in ways that we've just, frankly, never had access to.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: What we're able to do with this new system and this next-gen recommendation engine, which is, you know, kind of goes side by side with the new tech infrastructure, we will be able to personalize the system in ways that we've just frankly never had access to. It's not lack of innovation, it's not lack of roadmap, it's not lack of talent. It has been lack of technical capability. You will see extreme personalization. Turning to the last part of your question, AI or not AI, you know, it's a hybrid. I think it's important to maybe just spend a quick moment on how I look at AI for this business. AI should never replace human authenticity or human connection.

Speaker #4: It's not lack of innovation. It's not lack of roadmap. It's not lack of talent. It has been lack of technical capability. So you will see extreme personalization.

Speaker #4: Turning to the last part of your question, AI or not AI, it's a hybrid. So I think it's important to maybe just spend a quick moment on how I look at AI for this business.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Turning to the last part of your question, AI or not AI, you know, it's a hybrid. I think it's important to maybe just spend a quick moment on how I look at AI for this business. AI should never replace human authenticity or human connection. Frankly, I've been saying this for a long time, but I certainly hope that the rest of the world is starting to see it the way I am in the sense that human connection is starting to matter more now than ever before, and real authentic human connection.

Speaker #4: AI should never replace human authenticity or human connection. And frankly, I've been saying this for a long time, but I certainly hope that the rest of the world is starting to see it the way I am in the sense that human connection is starting to matter more now than ever before.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Frankly, I've been saying this for a long time, but I certainly hope that the rest of the world is starting to see it the way I am in the sense that human connection is starting to matter more now than ever before, and real authentic human connection. For those of you that have been following and watching people fall in love with AI bots, I mean, this is not the future we want for ourselves or the next generation. This is why I'm at work. I am giving it my all to make sure that we can bring people closer to real, in real life, face-to-face human, meaningful relationships and connections. We will leverage AI to enable that, but we will not use AI to replace that. I hope that answers the question.

Speaker #4: And real authentic human connection. For those of you that have been following and watching people fall in love with AI bots, I mean, this is not the future we want for ourselves.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: For those of you that have been following and watching people fall in love with AI bots, I mean, this is not the future we want for ourselves or the next generation. This is why I'm at work. I am giving it my all to make sure that we can bring people closer to real, in real life, face-to-face human, meaningful relationships and connections. We will leverage AI to enable that, but we will not use AI to replace that. I hope that answers the question.

Speaker #4: Or the next generation. So this is why I'm at work. I am giving it my all to make sure that we can bring people closer to real, in-real-life, face-to-face, human, meaningful relationships and connections.

Speaker #4: So we will leverage AI to enable that, but we will not use AI to replace that. So I hope that answers the question. I could talk about this for six hours, but I want to give other folks an opportunity to jump in.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: I could talk about this for 6 hours, but I want to give other folks an opportunity to jump in. Thank you again, Eric, for your question.

Speaker #4: But thank you again, Eric, for your question.

Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Shweta Kaduria from Wolf Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Shweta Khajuria from Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Okay. Thank you for taking my question. And thanks for the commentary, and your prepared remarks, Whitney. As we think about the timeline, could you please talk to what gives you confidence post the activation phase of the renewed tech platform in 2027 or in Q4 of 2026 into 2027?

Shweta Khajuria: Okay, thank you for taking my question, and thanks for the commentary and your prepared remarks, Whitney. As we think about the timeline, could you please talk to what gives you confidence post, you know, the activation phase of the renewed tech platform in 2027 or in Q4 of 2026 into 2027, you will start seeing potentially market improvements in the refreshed tech platform. Could you point to what you saw in your tests that gives you that confidence, and what should we be looking for, starting in Q4 into next year? Thank you.

Speaker #5: You will start seeing potentially marked improvements in the refreshed tech platform. So, could you point to what you saw in your tests that gives you that confidence?

Speaker #5: And what should we be looking for starting in Q4 into next year? Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thanks. Shweta, it's great to hear from you. So let's talk about these different kind of work streams. I want to be very clear that the back end tech rebuild is different than what the front forward-facing member-facing interaction model and profile redesign are.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Thanks, Shweta. Shweta, it's great to hear from you. Let's talk about these different kind of work streams. I wanna be very clear that the back-end tech rebuild is different than what the front, you know, forward-facing, member-facing, interaction model and profile redesign are. These are two separate things that will converge into each other. However, one comes before the other. That is the back-end technology and migration and enablement and rebuild. That is coming here in the coming weeks for select members, and we'll start to roll out globally and more broadly, obviously, over the weeks following and the months following. That is the enabler of everything. That is where we can go in and make algorithmic improvements.

Speaker #4: So these are two separate things that will converge into each other. However, one comes before the other. That is the back end technology migration and enablement and rebuild.

Speaker #4: That is coming here in the coming weeks for select members. And we'll start to roll out globally and more broadly, obviously, over the weeks following and the months following.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: That is coming here in the coming weeks for select members, and we'll start to roll out globally and more broadly, obviously, over the weeks following and the months following. That is the enabler of everything. That is where we can go in and make algorithmic improvements. We can start to make matching and recommendation, you know, e-economics better for folks and really make sure that you are seeing who you want to see. Very importantly, so that's the back end, and that will start to enable everything.

Speaker #4: So that is the enabler of everything. That is where we can go in and make algorithmic improvements. We can start to make matching and recommendation economics better for folks and really make sure that you are seeing who you want to see.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We can start to make matching and recommendation, you know, e-economics better for folks and really make sure that you are seeing who you want to see. Very importantly, so that's the back end, and that will start to enable everything. Very importantly, I fundamentally believe, and I feel that I am a trusted source here because I've been on the front line of this industry from its kind of mobile explosion inception, if you will. I fundamentally believe the interaction model is outdated, not just for us. I'm talking about the industry at large. I believe it's time to leapfrog anything that currently exists and help people break through these areas of friction where these cliffs exist. Right now, to get somebody from first sight to first date is extremely difficult.

Speaker #4: Now, very importantly, so that's the back end. And that will start to enable everything. But very importantly, I fundamentally believe, and I feel that I am a trusted source here because I've been on the front line of this industry from its kind of mobile explosion inception, if you will.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Very importantly, I fundamentally believe, and I feel that I am a trusted source here because I've been on the front line of this industry from its kind of mobile explosion inception, if you will. I fundamentally believe the interaction model is outdated, not just for us. I'm talking about the industry at large. I believe it's time to leapfrog anything that currently exists and help people break through these areas of friction where these cliffs exist. Right now, to get somebody from first sight to first date is extremely difficult.

Speaker #4: I fundamentally believe the interaction model is outdated—not just for us. I'm talking about the industry at large. And I believe it's time to leapfrog anything that currently exists and help people break through these areas of friction, where these cliffs exist.

Speaker #4: So right now, to get somebody from first sight to first date is extremely difficult. There's so many areas of drop-off opportunity where that mutuality of needing to like each other, needing to chat to each other, needing to keep the conversations going on this double-sided format is quite difficult to get you to a date.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: There's so many areas of drop-off opportunity where that mutuality of needing to like each other, needing to chat to each other, needing to keep the conversations going on this double-sided, you know, format, is quite difficult to get you to a date. Frankly, Shweta, we're a dating app. We're not a matching app. We're not a swiping app. Have we really been behaving like that? That is the impetus of the new interaction model. We have listened to our members. We have been in the trenches with them. I personally have been on the front lines of research and deep in the data.

Speaker #4: And frankly, Shweta, we're a dating app. We're not a matching app. We're not a swiping app. But have we really been behaving like that?

Speaker #4: And that is the impetus of the new interaction model. So we have listened to our members. We have been in the trenches with them.

Speaker #4: I personally have been on the front lines of research and deep in the data. So that forward-facing member-touching interface interaction transition and profile redesign, that is what you will start to see in a major market in Q4 and then, of course, rolling out more broadly through the end of Q4 and early into 2027.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: That forward-facing, member-touching interface, interaction, transition, and profile redesign, that is what you will start to see in a major market in Q4 and then, of course, rolling out more broadly through, you know, the end of Q4 and early into 2027. Let me, let me actually try to answer your precise question. When do we start to see a, you know, a rebound in the numbers you're all looking for? Well, the answer is very simple. When our technology and our next gen recommendation engine can actually help better connect people more compatibly and show people who they wanna see and then get them out on great dates, that's where the magic happens.

Speaker #4: So let me actually try to answer your precise question. When do we start to see a rebound in the numbers you're all looking for?

Speaker #4: Well, the answer is very simple. When our technology and our next-gen recommendation engine can actually help better connect people more compatibly and show people who they want to see and then get them out on great dates, that's where the magic happens.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: When our technology and our next gen recommendation engine can actually help better connect people more compatibly and show people who they wanna see and then get them out on great dates, that's where the magic happens. Every single thing we are doing, I'm spending every waking hour of my life right now in effort of serving that one goal: get people out on great dates. I hope that this starts to answer your question. Thank you again for taking the time.

Speaker #4: And every single thing we are doing, I'm spending every waking hour of my life right now in effort of serving that one goal, get people out on great dates.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Every single thing we are doing, I'm spending every waking hour of my life right now in effort of serving that one goal: get people out on great dates. I hope that this starts to answer your question. Thank you again for taking the time.

Speaker #4: So I hope this starts to answer your question. And thank you again for taking the time.

Speaker #5: Thanks, Whitney. That's helpful.

Shweta Khajuria: Thanks, Whitney. That's helpful.

Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Nathan Feather from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Nathan Feather from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Speaker #6: Hey, everyone. Thanks so much for the question. Interesting thinking a little bit more on that kind of pipeline from discovery to actually getting out on dates.

Nathan Feather: Hey, everyone. Thanks so much for the question. Yeah, interested in digging in a little bit more on that kind of pipeline from discovery to actually getting out on dates. You know, what do you feel are the current real pinch points that cause people to maybe have a match but, you know, not actually convert that into an in-person connection? What do you think can actually solve that problem? You know, is there any issues from a perspective of a lot of people have different date preferences, there's local markets. Are there ways that you can kinda solve those? That's the first part of the question. Second, continue to see really strong performance on gross margin. Can you just give an update on what you're seeing in terms of direct payment adoption?

Speaker #6: What do you feel are the current real pinch points that cause people to maybe have a match, but not actually convert that into an in-person connection?

Speaker #6: And to what extent can you actually solve that problem? Are there any issues from the perspective that a lot of people have different date preferences?

Speaker #6: There's local markets or there are ways that you can kind of solve those. And so that's the first part of the question. And then second, continue to see really strong performance on gross margin.

Nathan Feather: That's the first part of the question. Second, continue to see really strong performance on gross margin. Can you just give an update on what you're seeing in terms of direct payment adoption? Do we think about the uplift that's driving it into that? Thank you.

Speaker #6: Can you just give an update on what you're seeing in terms of direct payment adoption, and the way to think about the uplift that's driving it?

Nathan Feather: Do we think about the uplift that's driving it into that? Thank you.

Speaker #6: Thank you.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Nathan, for the question. I'll take the first half. I'll kick the second part to Kevin. So the reality is you're right. Everyone has different dating preferences.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Thanks, Nathan, for the question. I'll take the first half. I'll kick the second part to Kevin. The reality is, you're right, everyone has different dating preferences. The one thing everybody can kind of agree on at this point is everyone is exhausted from this passive, this passive model of just low effort, like low effort interest, that there's very little follow-through. Frankly, the industry at large, and us included, we've made it just too easy to express low intent interest. We are turning that on its head. I can't say much more. I really believe that this is going to be category defining, and we want to keep it, you know, close to the chest. What we will tell you is the early testing has come back remarkably positive.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: Thanks, Nathan, for the question. I'll take the H1. I'll kick the second part to Kevin. The reality is, you're right, everyone has different dating preferences. The one thing everybody can kind of agree on at this point is everyone is exhausted from this passive, this passive model of just low effort, like low effort interest, that there's very little follow-through. Frankly, the industry at large, and us included, we've made it just too easy to express low intent interest. We are turning that on its head.

Speaker #4: But the one thing everybody can kind of agree on at this point is everyone is exhausted from this passive model of just low-effort likes, low-effort interest, where there's very little follow-through.

Speaker #4: And frankly, the industry at large, and us included, we've made it just too easy to express low-intent interest. And so we are turning that on its head.

Speaker #4: I can't say much more. I really believe that this is going to be category-defining and we want to keep it close to the chest.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: I can't say much more. I really believe that this is going to be category defining, and we want to keep it, you know, close to the chest. What we will tell you is the early testing has come back remarkably positive. There is very little concern that this is not the right direction. To your point, every market is different, culturally different, you know, preferences are different. We have no issue with being really agile and making sure that we test our way into the appropriate, you know, sequencing and the appropriate rollout strategy to make sure that those nuances are accounted for.

Speaker #4: But what we will tell you is the early testing has come back remarkably positive. There is very little concern that this is not the right direction.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: There is very little concern that this is not the right direction. To your point, every market is different, culturally different, you know, preferences are different. We have no issue with being really agile and making sure that we test our way into the appropriate, you know, sequencing and the appropriate rollout strategy to make sure that those nuances are accounted for. I really, you know, listen, I'm now 36. I've been doing this since I was 22. I cannot tell you how much this is needed right now for people to really feel reinvigorated with finding love. There's a few frank realities. We are on our phones more than we've ever been on our phones before, much more so than when I started this company. The need for human connection and love is greater right now than ever.

Speaker #4: But to your point, every market is different. Culturally different, preferences are different. We have no issue with being really agile and making sure that we test our way into the appropriate sequencing and the appropriate rollout strategy to make sure that those nuances are accounted for.

Speaker #4: But I really listen, I'm now 36. I've been doing this since I was 22. I cannot tell you how much this is needed right now for people to really feel reinvigorated with finding love.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: I really, you know, listen, I'm now 36. I've been doing this since I was 22. I cannot tell you how much this is needed right now for people to really feel reinvigorated with finding love. There's a few frank realities. We are on our phones more than we've ever been on our phones before, much more so than when I started this company. The need for human connection and love is greater right now than ever. We are more disconnected. Everything is working in our favor.

Speaker #4: And there are a few frank realities. We are on our phones more than we've ever been on our phones before—much more so than when I started this company.

Speaker #4: The need for human connection and love is greater right now than ever. We are more disconnected. Everything is working in our favor. The only thing that has been going wrong is our ability to execute on product innovation.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: We are more disconnected. Everything is working in our favor. The only thing that has been going wrong is our ability to execute on product innovation. That is simply due to legacy tech debt. We are working extraordinarily hard. The teams are incredible, and they are so close on getting us to a place where we can finally innovate and deliver a modern product to our members so that they can continue to make meaningful connections in the real world. Kevin, over to you.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: The only thing that has been going wrong is our ability to execute on product innovation. That is simply due to legacy tech debt. We are working extraordinarily hard. The teams are incredible, and they are so close on getting us to a place where we can finally innovate and deliver a modern product to our members so that they can continue to make meaningful connections in the real world. Kevin, over to you.

Speaker #4: And that is simply due to legacy tech debt. And we are working extraordinarily hard. The teams are incredible. And they are so close on getting us to a place where we can finally innovate and deliver a modern product to our members so that they can continue to make meaningful connections in the real world.

Speaker #4: Kevin.

Kevin Cook: Nathan, it's Kevin. The improvement in gross margin is primarily a function of increased adoption of alternative billing methods, and therefore reduction in aggregator fees. You're right to point out that, you know, we had very strong gross margin in the quarter, about 300 basis points than the prior year period. We continue to see strong adoption of our Apple Pay program, for example, in the US. That program is slightly ahead of expectation, but we expect to see, you know, alternative billing be a tailwind to margin throughout 2026.

Speaker #6: Nathan is Kevin. So, the improvement in gross margin is primarily a function of increased adoption of alternative billing methods and, therefore, reduction in aggregator fees.

Speaker #6: So you're right to point out that we had very strong gross margin in the quarter about 300 basis points, then the prior year period.

Speaker #6: And we continue to see strong adoption of our Apple Pay program, for example. In the US, that program is slightly ahead of expectation, but we expect to see alternative billing be a tailwind to margin throughout 2026.

Speaker #6: Very helpful. Thank you.

Nathan Feather: Very helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Maroc from Raymond James. Your line is currently opening. One moment. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Jordan Marok from Raymond James.

[Analyst] (Raymond James): Hi, this is Ron dialing in for Andrew Jordan Marok. Thank you for taking our question. As it relates to the post-reset disclosures made today, could you update us through March and April and explain how the curves for registrations, retention, MAUs, and payer penetration trended from October till now, given that this is the first month that was the first month dubbed as the post-quality reset? Which metric should, you know, best predict payer recovery going forward?

Speaker #5: Hi. This is Raj dialing in for Andrew Maric. Thank you for taking our question. So as it relates to the post-reset disclosures made today, could you update us through March and April and explain how the curves for registrations to retention MAUs and payer penetration trended from October till now, given that this is the first month that was the first month dubbed as the post-quality reset?

Speaker #5: Which metrics should best predict payer recovery going forward?

Speaker #6: Yeah. Hey, Ron. Thanks for the question. So obviously, the disclosures were provided specifically as a way for us to meet a contractual obligation to prospective lenders to cleanse data that we shared with them in connection with the refinancing.

Kevin Cook: Hey, Ron. Thanks for the question. Obviously the disclosures were provided specifically as a way for us to meet a contractual obligation to prospective lenders to cleanse data that we shared with them in connection with the refinancing. That information is all, you know, for the periods provided. You can see them outlined there in the specific disclosure on the website. They're all reflected in our current financials. They're out of date, stale, and have no, you know, sort of import in terms of the business today.

Speaker #6: That information is all for the periods provided. You can see them outlined there in the specific disclosure on the website. They're all reflected in our current financials.

Speaker #6: They're out of date, stale, and have no sort of import in terms of the business today. The only thing I can share is that the business has stabilized with respect to KPI performance.

Kevin Cook: The only thing I can share is that, you know, the business has stabilized with respect to, you know, KPI performance, and in particular on registrations. I think you see highlighted there the, you know, the steps that we took quite intentionally to bring the member base down to what we viewed as a healthier, higher quality ecosystem from which now we can build. That's all I have for you on that.

Speaker #6: And in particular on registrations, I think you see highlighted there the steps that we took quite intentionally to bring the member base down to what we viewed as a healthier higher-quality ecosystem from which now we can build.

Speaker #6: So that's all I have for you on that.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Ken Gawrelski: Thank you.

[Analyst] (Raymond James): Thank you.

Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Ken Goralski from Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Ken Gawrelski from Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: Thank you so much. As you look out a couple of years in success as you kind of transition to business, can you talk about how you see how you could see the financial profile of the business relative to K3, 24?

Ken Gawrelski: Thank you so much. As you look out, you know, a couple of years in success as you kind of transition the business, could you talk about how you could see the financial profile of the business just relative to, you know, 2023, 2024? Talk about the tech debt that's built up in the past. You obviously don't want that to recur. If you could just talk about, you know, any changes we might see to the financial profile of the business as you kind of get back to growth, in the, you know, in 2027, 2028.

Speaker #5: Talk about the tech debt that's built up in the past. You obviously don't want that to recur. Could you just talk about any changes we might see to the financial profile of the business as you kind of get back to growth in the 27, 28?

Kevin Cook: Hey, Ken, it's Kevin. Apologies, you broke up. Can you repeat the question or, you know, summarize the question quickly?

Speaker #6: Ken, it's Kevin. So apologies. You broke up. Can you repeat the question or summarize the question quickly?

Speaker #5: Oh, sure. Sorry. Is that better? Can you hear me better, please?

Ken Gawrelski: Oh, sure. Sorry. Is that better? Can you hear me better, please?

Speaker #4: It's still a little shaky. Try one more time.

Operator: It's still a little shaky. Try one more time.

Whitney Wolfe Herd: It's still a little shaky. Try one more time

Speaker #5: I'm sorry. Is this better? Sorry.

Ken Gawrelski: I'm sorry. Is this better? Sorry.

Speaker #6: We heard that. Why don't you go ahead and we'll do our best?

Kevin Cook: We heard that.

Ken Gawrelski: Um, so-

Kevin Cook: Why don't you go ahead, and we'll do our best.

Speaker #5: Yeah. My quick question is this. Are you when you think about the future kind of financial profile of the business, if you go out 24 months, 36 months, relative to what we've seen at the business in '22, '23 timeframe, how may it look different in your view, different tech stack, you didn't want to and maybe a different kind of marketing go-to-market strategy?

Ken Gawrelski: My quick question is this, are you when you think about, again, the future kind of financial profile of the business, if you go out, you know, 24 months, 36 months, relative to what we, you know, have seen at the business in 2022, 2023 timeframe, how may it look different in your view? Different tech stack, you know, you don't wanna, and maybe a different kind of marketing, go-to-market strategy. Could you just talk a little bit about what the changes in the financial profile might look like? Thank you.

Speaker #5: So could you just talk a little bit about what the changes in the financial profile might look like? Thank you.

Speaker #6: Of course. Okay. So you're right to point out two pardon me, two key things. First, in the timeframe you referenced, it was a marketing-led business, not a product and technology-led business as it has been since Whitney returned as CEO.

Kevin Cook: Of course. Okay. You're right to point out, you know, two key things. First, in the timeframe you referenced, it was a marketing-led business, not a product and technology-led business as it has been since Whitney returned as CEO. What you'll continue to see is a much more efficient marketing spend. Marketing should never return to the levels that you observed in 2024 and 2025. Marketing is used as a in support of and as a tool to enhance product, and contribute to, you know, new product introduction, launch, and of course, to some degree, brand. You will see a higher rate overall in technology and product spend or product development.

Speaker #6: So what you'll continue to see is a much more efficient marketing spend. It will never return marketing should never return to the levels that you observed in '24 and '25.

Speaker #6: Marketing is used as an in support of and as a tool to enhance product and contribute to new product introduction, launch, and of course, to some degree, brand.

Speaker #6: You will see a higher rate overall in technology and spend or product development. We're in a period of investment now. You see us beginning to gently increase product development expense to deliver all of the innovation that Whitney was describing.

Kevin Cook: You will see a higher rate overall in technology and product spend or product development. We're in a period of investment now. You see us beginning to gently increase product development expense to deliver all of the innovation that Whitney was describing and is expected for H2. Overall, with steady revenue or revenue growth, there would be substantial operating margin in the business. You should expect to see continued Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion again so long as revenue is stable or revenue is increasing. Let me know if that answers the question.

Kevin Cook: We're in a period of investment now. You see us beginning to gently increase product development expense to deliver all of the innovation that Whitney was describing and is expected for H2. Overall, with steady revenue or revenue growth, there would be substantial operating margin in the business. You should expect to see continued Adjusted EBITDA margin expansion again so long as revenue is stable or revenue is increasing. Let me know if that answers the question.

Speaker #6: And it's expected for the second half of the year. So overall, with steady revenue, or revenue growth, there would be substantial operating margin in the business.

Speaker #6: So you should expect to see continued adjusted EBITDA margin expansion again so long as revenue is stable or revenue is increasing. Let me know if that answers the question.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Thank you.

Ken Gawrelski: Yes. Thank you.

Operator: At this time, there are no further questions. This concludes today's call. Thank you all for attending. You may now disconnect.