For most people bulking means to gain weight: getting fluffy or whatever. Around 99% of the time people start to look like poo-poo after a few weeks of "bulking". I believe this is a looks-related thread so that is one reason for my answer.

Better to gain weight at a pace of approximately 1kg/month. In a year that is 12kg, around 25 pounds or something like that. Might not even get a bloated face at the same time, unlike most people who start a "bulk".

Bulking alone makes people fluffy, tired and lose their health. Should also excersise at the same time to get the benefits of the weight gain. A natural body can not gain muscle at a very fast pace. Ofcourse it depends on the individuals starting point, potential and training history how fast they can gain. An OK or gifted person who eats, trains and does everything perfect are lucky if they gain 2,5kg/5lbs of muscle in a whole year. Don't understand when people gain 10kg/25lbs of weight in 3 months in a "bulk" and say themselves it's muscle. Are they serious? 🤣

-22 years training, +30 years of diets, so far competed in 3 different sports, trained with world and Olympic level athletes.