Nov 5 (Reuters) - Bumble forecast

fourth-quarter revenue below analysts' expectations on

Wednesday, underscoring the challenges facing the dating app

operator as its ambitious turnaround plan struggles to gain

momentum.

Shares of the Austin, Texas-based company fell 7% in

extended trading.

Bumble has been revamping its strategy this year under a new

leadership, focusing on improving user experience and safety

tools powered by artificial intelligence rather than expanding

aggressively.

"While we expect our member base improvement work to create

near-term headwinds to revenue and paying user metrics, we are

prioritizing profitability and financial flexibility as we

invest in innovation to drive sustainable long-term growth,"

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Cook said in a statement.

For the third quarter, total paying users fell 16% to 3.6

million, from a year earlier.

The company sees fourth-quarter revenue between $216 million

and $224 million, the midpoint of which is below analysts'

estimates of $233.3 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Kritika Lamba in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim

Zahid and Sriraj Kalluvila)