The Best Way To Answer The 'A Review By A Friend' Bumble Prompt

The dating app Bumble offers a lot of goodies — there are tools like profile badges, the ice-breaker "Question Game" feature, plus the fact that women call the shots by making the first move. Another feature that makes the app stand out is its juicy question prompts. These prompts are an opportunity to say more about your personality and go beyond the basics. And the best part is you can choose the three prompts you want to showcase on your profile out of over 30 options.

One of these Bumble prompts is the "A review by a friend" question. Think of it as the dating app version of phoning a friend — when you're stuck and not sure what to say to make your profile shine, consult your BFF to summarize your best qualities in one or two sentences.

Though this might seem like one of the laziest Bumble prompts available, it's actually an effective way to convey your trustworthiness by having a friend vouch for you. With a positive "review," your matches will see that you're a great friend with a strong circle of people around you — a circle they might want to join, too, after reading your profile. Here's how to approach this prompt to leave a strong first impression.

What makes the "A review by a friend" prompt different from the others is that it allows for a different voice and perspective. That means you might want to seek out a friend who knows you well but isn't your carbon copy. Maybe they have a goofy sense of humor that offsets your otherwise straightforward profile, or perhaps their thoughtful nature contrasts your don't-take-life-too-seriously personality. Ideally, the friend you choose should be someone who can offer a point of view that complements (as in, it's genuine and rings true to who you are) the rest of the tidbits you share on your profile, without repeating the same information twice.

Be sure to only reach out to someone who you know will show you in your best light. They may be your going-out wingman (or wingwoman), your ride or die BFF, a younger friend who looks up to you, or even a family member who loves you unconditionally.

Finally, note that you don't actually have to consult a friend to answer this Bumble prompt. To make sure your profile attracts the right kind of matches, it's okay to take the reins and answer the prompt yourself from the hypothetical perspective of a friend. What might a good friend say about you? What are you most known for in your squad? Consider this an opportunity to flaunt your best traits, without holding back the way you might if you were writing as yourself.

Whether you have a friend answer the Bumble prompt or you do it yourself, there are a few points that are likely to attract high-quality matches — and some mistakes to avoid. First, play up the qualities that make you an amazing partner (and person in general), especially if you're looking for true love. One of the most important qualities, according to the director of Deakin's Science of Adult Relationships Laboratory, Gery Karantzas, is kindness. "We want someone who looks like they're kind, looks like they're caring, someone we can rely upon," he told ABC Everyday. A review that touches on how generous or compassionate you are is a good start.

Then, throw in some interests — the more specific, the better. "[R]eplace 'I love basketball' with 'Big [insert your team here] fan.' Specifics make great conversation starters," Alexis Sclamberg, a dating expert, shared with Cosmopolitan. From your friend's POV, this may sound like, "She's a total sports junkie and cheers louder than any other Giants fan at home games."

If you're letting your bestie answer the prompt, inform them that you're okay with a review that showcases your quirky side. The "weird" things they tease you for can actually go a long way in weeding out those who won't appreciate your uniqueness. And on that note, never use anything inaccurate or exaggerated. While it might make you sound good online, it'll mean nothing once you do start going on first dates.